This position is located at the Togus Reginal office in Augusta, ME. The incumbent is assigned to the Office of the Director and reports to the Human Resources Supervisor. The incumbent serves as a Program Specialist responsible for providing performance management and technical support for the regional office HR program. The incumbent is the key advisor to the Director and the Division Chiefs on all human resources issues and coordinates directly with the HR Center.

Duties

Serve as technical specialist in leave administration to include Family Medical Leave Act, Leave Without Pay, leave sharing, military leave, annual and sick leave, and time off for special circumstances. Provide technical support and advice in benefits programs such programs as: Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB); Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI); Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). Assist with the Reasonable Accommodation Program to assure effective program operations. Provide advice to employees and supervisors in the submission of workers' compensation claims due to an occupational injury and/or disease. Advise supervisors on various recruitment options to include Merit promotions procedures, Non-Competitive hiring authorities as well as internal and external hiring regulations. Assist with Position Descriptions, Crediting plans and Job Analysis for various internal positions. Provide advice and assistance on management employee relations issues. Advise on actions concerning employee management communications, grievances and appeals, disciplinary actions and performance. Research laws and regulations and data in order to recommend solutions to problems. In-process all new employees, including processing of security clearances. Prepare personnel action items such as: promotions, separations, retirements, etc. Train management officials on human resource policies and procedures. Draft recurring and non-recurring documents such as white papers, technical reports, manuals, directives and correspondence. Work with customers, both internal and external in such a way to enhance customer satisfaction. Design work processes and practices.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job.
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/25/2024. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Specialized Experience: GS-09: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the federal service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience in two of the following areas: Work collaboratively on a variety of leave programs (Family Medical Leave Act, annual leave, sick leave, etc.) Provide advice and counseling on benefits and entitlements to new and prospective employees. Provide retirement counseling to employees. Experience in processing personnel actions. Experience in determining employee pay. Experience in staffing and recruitment. Experience in providing advice on labor issues regarding unfair labor practices, grievances, information requests and negotiations. . OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-09: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify for grade GS-09: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond one year of graduate level education. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) GS-11: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the federal service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience in at least two of the following: Experience performing HR management advisory services for specific requests requiring research and applying human resources policies and practices. Experience in staffing and recruitment. Experience performing position classification. Experience providing guidance on labor issues regarding unfair labor practices, grievances, information requests and negotiations. Advising on and drafting disciplinary and adverse actions and performance-based actions. OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-11: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify for grade GS-11: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) GS-12: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-11) in the federal service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: experience in at least two of the following: Experience providing authoritative management advisory services, which includes researching, analyzing and evaluating issues, determining applicable precedents, and identifying the most effective approach to resolve complex human resources problems. Experience meeting and dealing with managers and employees at all levels in situations of a highly sensitive nature. Experience providing advice and guidance in the areas of classification and staffing and recruitment. Experience in developing recruitment strategies. Experience making final position classification determinations and writing evaluation statements. Resolving complex leave administration issues. Defending agency actions in front of a 3rd party hearing (local, state, federal). Experience as the chief negotiator in labor negotiations. Note: 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience you document, to include volunteer experience.

Education

An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical/Regional Benefit Office Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: HRC-Detroit DEU
• Phone: 313-596-7213
• Email: [email protected]