This position is located within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (RD), Business Center-Operations Office, Human Resources Office, Employee and Labor Relations Division. The incumbent will serve in a developmental position as a Human Resources Specialist providing services on employee relations issues, problems, and cases. This is a developmental position with duties designed to prepare the incumbent for advancement to the position of a Human Resources Specialist, GS-12.

Duties

Serves in a developmental position as a Human Resources Specialist and performs developmental and training assignments that are structured to prepare the incumbent to proceed to progressively more difficult assignments. Assignments will provide training in analytic and judgmental aspects of the work in the appropriate use of methods, techniques, and how to trouble-shoot internal systems. Works with higher graded Human Resources Specialist on employee relations issues, cases and problems. Researches and analyzes data, issues, and information that support project recommendations or the work assignments of higher-graded specialists.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

To be eligible for appointment under the College Graduate authority, applicants must meet requirement A or B. A. Applicants who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years. OR B. Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service. In addition to meeting the eligibility listed above, all applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. For the GS-9 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience providing employee relations advisory and/or consultation services to managers relevant to: performance, conduct based disciplinary, adverse actions, non-disciplinary adverse action, performance management, reasonable accommodation, and administrative grievance process. Experience in identifying required documentation necessary for evidentiary burden of proof for performance and conduct based actions. Experience preparing proposal notices and decisions, Letters of Reprimand, probation termination letters, etc. Experience in investigating misconduct complaints and referrals of harassment and other types of complaints to appropriate officials. Experience in evaluating administrative grievances and responses. Experience in researching and interpreting governing guidance, including law, regulations, Agency procedures, and case-law for relevance to issues/actions OR a master's degree OR equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or JD., if related. Equivalent combination of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-201 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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

Applicants must have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two years OR Veterans who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree from a qualifying educational institution and have an intervening period of obligated service of at least four years in the uniformed services. The two-year eligibility period begins on the date of discharge or release from the uniformed service.

Applicants must provide transcripts. Conferment date of degree must be evident on the transcript. Please see the Additional Information section below for detailed information that is required regarding transcripts.

Contacts

• Address Rural Development 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Cheri Allen
• Email: [email protected]