This position is located within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Departmental Administration, Office of Human Resources Management, Employee and Labor Relations Division (ELRD), Labor Relations and Litigation Branch. The incumbent serves as a Senior Labor Relations Specialist for USDA responsible for providing up-to-date guidance on all aspects of Federal labor relations and practices to senior agency leadership. Multiple selections may be made from this announcement.

Duties

Serves as a Senior Labor Relations advisor and subject matter expert on the development, planning, execution, implementation, and approval of labor management policies USDA-wide. Advises top level management and executives of OHRM, USDA, and all mission areas on the overall goals, policies, and objectives of collective bargaining initiatives across USDA. Collaborates with the ELRD Labor Relations Officer (LRO) to assist agencies that are preparing and presenting the Department’s position in third party LR proceedings, i.e., Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Reviews and recommends to LRO approval/disapproval of labor agreements and assists with Departmental coordination on labor relations matters as necessary. Evaluates, recommends, presents and/or provides briefings on labor relations best practices across USDA. Communicates with OPM as needed to stay abreast of new legislation, regulations, and other Federal government initiatives. Collaborates with the LRO in formulating and recommending policies, programs, plans and procedures governing labor relations functions required to effectively meet current and long range Departmental and Federal government goals. Collaborates with the LRO and OHRM team members to develop Departmental-wide training materials to explain the fundamentals and/or specific topics of labor relations matters to varying levels of management officials, supervisors, and practitioners. Develops Departmental labor relations position documents and materials and prepares Departmental directives, issuances, memoranda, etc., with respect to all labor relations matters.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Overtime may be required as funding and operational needs allow.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions and specialized experience, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: GS-14: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-13 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Human Resources Specialist (Labor Relations). For this position, the specialized experience is (1) Serving as a senior labor relations advisor and subject matter expert on the development, planning, execution, implementation, and approval of labor-management policies agency-wide; (2) Advising top level management and executives on the overall goals, policies, and objectives of collective bargaining initiatives, (3) Conferring with senior leaders and executive officials to advise on matters characterized by extremely complex and difficult legal or factual issues, and (4) Conducting agency head reviews of labor agreements in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 7114(c). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no educational substitute for specialized experience for this position.

Contacts

• Address Departmental Administration 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Gayle Veney
• Email: [email protected]