Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)
What you'd do
The Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations/Labor Relations) is assigned to the South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16), Human Resources Office, ER/LR Team and will provide staff level management advisory service to Network and field facilities on a full range of employee (ER) and labor relations (LR) issues.
Major duties
NOTE: This is a temporary promotion opportunity NTE 1 year. The duties of the position include, but are not limited to: Resolving difficult and complex problems which could have a direct impact on the department mission. Working closely with staff and operational officials, employee groups, etc., to develop and explore labor relations alternatives to improve policies, techniques and procedures. Analyzing, evaluating and developing major aspects of agency-wide labor relations programs that require isolating and defining unknown conditions, resolving critical problems, and developing new concepts and methodologies. Resolving issues of sensitivity and potential controversy that may promote advances in principal human resources plans, goals, objectives and milestones. Serving as a staff subject matter expert to other consultants handling negotiations that typically involve the development of new approaches. Serving as a technical advisor to management on the potential impact of negotiations and third-party decisions, charges of unfair labor practices, negotiability issues, and impasse resolutions as they relate to organizational and mission goals Leading the community of HR Specialists (ER/LR) practitioners VISN-wide through regular communications on relevant changes in ER/LR laws, regulations and policy, via diverse modalities including community of practice conference calls where an exchange of information and sharing of expertise enhances competency within the discipline throughout the VISN. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Central Standard Time (CST), subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-Hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR)/PD99988S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/09/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above. Selective Placement Factor: This position includes a skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to - and essential for - satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Your resume must clearly detail your experience as it relates to the selective placement factor. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. The Selective Placement Factor for this position is: Preparing disciplinary or adverse actions for management use. Specialized Experience: To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1 - Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Applying fundamental labor relations and employee relations law, theories, principles, and practices with an understanding of the interrelationships of human resources management programs to provide solutions to labor and employee relations problems/issues; Researching VA/AFGE Agreement as well as other national and local agreements in order to advise and assist management and others in the interpretation/execution of the contract and other agreements; Knowledge of fundamental principles and methods used in collective bargaining including negotiating strategies, interest/position based bargaining processes, and dispute resolution sufficient to articulate and facilitate management interests; Applying consulting methods and techniques sufficient to meet/deal tactfully and persuasively with others to resolve a wide range of issues. ~OR~ Criteria 2 - Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas. Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: . Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Applying advanced HR principles, concepts, and practices related to all aspects of employee and labor relations programs. Researching and interpreting legal and regulatory program guidance to include case law, United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, and VA Handbooks and Directives. Providing technical guidance, information, and assistance to management and senior leadership officials on sensitive, serious, and controversial employee relations issues regarding employees in a wide variety of occupations with substantial differences in working conditions, entitlement, and occupational practices and policies. Administrating performance management systems which include employees covered executive and non-execute career field systems. Presenting briefings and/or training sessions to management pertaining to Labor/Management Employee Relation Topics (e.g. performance appraisals, disciplinary actions). Writing responses to grievances, unfair labor practice charges, contract interpretations or contract bargaining proposals on behalf of management. Conducting fact findings or types of inquiries. Participating on teams to help improve and/or streamline programs and services. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Before you apply
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