This position is located within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development (RD), Business Center-Operations Office, Human Resources Office (HRO), Employee and Labor Relations Division, Employee Relations (ER) Branch. The position serves as a technical expert on employee relations issues, problems, and cases. The incumbent also serves as an Agency's-representative before the United States Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). This position is neither remote nor virtual.

Duties

Serves as a senior specialist and advisor to the supervisor regarding the administration of the employee relations program for the Rural Development mission area. Furnishes technical advice and guidance to management/supervisory officials on all aspects of employee relations program. Assists Oral Reply Officer (Deciding Official) to hear responses on proposed disciplinary actions, adverse actions, and unacceptable performance cases. Coordinates and/or performs investigations of complex misconduct cases and whistleblower/hotline complaints. Responsible for implementation of employee relations programs.

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.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, 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. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. For the GS-13 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience providing technical employee relations advisory and/or consultation services to managers relevant to: performance and conduct based disciplinary and adverse actions, non-disciplinary adverse action, performance management, leave administration, hours of duty, reasonable accommodation, administrative grievances, and misconduct investigations; experience Identifying and obtaining required documentation for evidential burden of proof, and preparing required written proposal notices and decisions; experience in preparing case documentation for third party forums; researching and interpreting applicable guidance, including law, regulations, agency procedures, and case-law for relevance to issues/actions; and experience making recommendations and developing solutions that identify proactive approaches. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-13 level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0201 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

Qualifications are based upon meeting specialized experience only. Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Contacts

• Address Rural Development 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Sharidon Daniel
• Phone: 804-980-0841
• Email: [email protected]