Summary This position is located in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, National Finance Center, Human Resources Management Staff, Employee Services Branch in New Orleans, LA. Incumbent serves as the Employee and Labor Relations Branch Chief, responsible for all activities related to the Employee and Labor Relations Branch, and reports to the Director, Human Resources/Chief Human Capital Officer. Responsibilities This position provides management oversight and leadership for the Employee and Labor Relations Branch. Develops communication plans and strategies to guide management in short- and long-term relations with employees and their exclusive representatives (unions). Serves as technical expert and advisor to, or as a member of, the organizational negotiation committees. Incumbent serves as an authoritative advisor and liaison to senior Department management officials regarding the resolution of a full range of employee relations, labor relations, benefits, and employee development functions. Incumbent develops Department policy guidance on employee relations, labor relations, benefits, and employee development programs. The incumbent provides advice and assistance to senior agency managers in designing and establishing new or reorganized programs that have agency-wide impact or are of unusual significance or complexity. Plans and directs extremely broad and complex studies to resolve chronic issues, problems and conflicts. The incumbent oversees the development of responses to proposed legislation, policies, and standards of higher authority regarding Branch issues. Directs the initiation of special studies, pilot programs or other actions. Directs the conduct or program development, analysis, and evaluation of assigned programs consistent with strategic and evaluation plans. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. The following link provides more information on the qualifications for this position: Administrative and Management Positions. Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-13) or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent in the public sector. Specialized experience for this position includes: (1) Leading, managing, providing expert advisory services and authoritative policy interpretations for Employee and Labor Relations Policy and Services, (2) Providing advice and assistance to employees and management, program administration, research and case management in matters related to performance, conduct, attendance, dispute resolution which also requires analytical writing and developing disciplinary letters. (3) Establishing and maintaining relationships and providing guidance and consultation to management on a variety of labor relations matters such as grievances, appeals, etc. This work also involves interpreting and clarifying policies, standards and procedures, past practice, and keeping current on employee management issues. (4) Conducting Personnel Misconduct Investigations, Management Inquires, fact finding initiatives, analyzing investigation reports, and writing reports of investigations and summary of finding documents. (5) Demonstrating strong oral and written communication skills to convey information and counsel managers and supervisors on highly sensitive, complex, and controversial employee relations issues. (6) Providing quality customer service by demonstrating courtesy and responsiveness to customer\'s inquiries in a friendly and approachable manner. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. TIME IN GRADE REQUIREMENT: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level (GS-13). Education Education may not be substituted for specialized experience. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. This position is not included in the bargaining unit.
