Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)

About the role

This role is located in the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which provides federal leadership, funding and resources to support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect children, assist crime victims, and address public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

This job is also being advertised to open to current or former federal employees in the competitive service and specific hiring authorities under announcement number JP-26-018.

What you will do

• Serves as a HR Specialist (Employee Relations) with responsibility for planning and administering OJP's employee relations programs, conducting complex human resources research and analysis, and providing expert alternative dispute resolution and human resources advisory services Provides case and Employee Relations (ER) program management, administering ER programs and evaluating activities and operational procedures in alignment with governing regulations and organizational objectives Implements highly technical and complex ER programs, strategies, and initiatives, partnering with managers to address human capital challenges and resolve sensitive employee relations issues affecting major program or mission areas Provides authoritative interpretation of statutory and regulatory guidance (e.g., OPM regulations, executive orders, Comptroller General decisions, MSPB case law) and delivers expert consultation to officials and technical staff on complex ER matters Performs HR studies requiring extensive research, documentation, and expert interpretation of laws, regulations, and policy frameworks that form the basis for major agency-wide decisions Provides expert policy interpretations on sensitive, high-visibility HR issues that cross specialty areas and impact multiple OJP individuals and offices Serves as a technical expert in handling highly sensitive cases involving multiple HR issues with agency-wide impact; advises senior leadership on reports, studies, position papers, and formal actions Serves as OJP's technical authority for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), coordinating ADR activities, identifying systemic barriers, and advising leaders on short- and long-term improvements.

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted.

How you will be evaluated

Your application will be evaluated and rated using Rule of Many procedures under 5 C.F.R. § 332.402 based on a set Number of Candidates method. Preference eligibles will receive 5 or 10 points added to their score based on the adjudicated preference.

All eligibles at or above the pre-determined top 15 candidates including any preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, at any score, will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. All eligibles with a tied rating will be referred even if the results exceed the pre-established number or percentage.

The selecting official will receive a sufficient number of names, when available, to consider at least three candidates per vacancy. If fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy result, the referral will be expanded in accordance with DOJ's guidance on supplemental certification.

The selecting official will adhere to veterans' preference rules and Rule of Many procedures when making selections. Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.

The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered.

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: *** For Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)/Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) applicants: If you have CTAP/ICTAP eligibility and are found well-qualified for this vacancy, you will receive selection priority over other candidates.

To be found well qualified, you must meet and exceed all qualification requirements and score 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

Technical Qualifications: Applicants identified for interview, will be further evaluated on the following technical qualifications: Employee Relations Program Planning and Management Research and Analysis of Human Resources Issues Alternative Dispute Resolution and HR Advisory Services Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials, application questionnaire, or during an interview may result in your removal from consideration.

Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Documents you must provide

• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Resume (Maximum 2 pages):Include for each job: Official position title Employer name and contact information Start and end dates (month and year) Full-time or part-time hours per week Duties performed and accomplishments See How do I write a resume for more information Veterans: DD-214 Member #4 Copy showing service dates, character of service, and discharge type; OR Certification letter from armed forces confirming expected honorable discharge/release within 120 days VA Letter with disability rating, if applicable SF-15 (10-point Veterans Preference form), if applicable See FedsHireVets or USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans for more information CTAP/ICTAP (Career Transition Programs): Separation notice, agency RIF letter, OR letter of intent to separate Most recent performance appraisal SF-50 showing current/former position details See Career Transition Programs for more information

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ.

However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list. We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement.

Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.

Additional information

OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules. Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period to evaluate your fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest.

We may consider: 1) performance and conduct; 2) agency needs and interests; 3) advancement of agency/Government organizational goals; and 4) Federal service efficiency. Upon completion, employment terminates unless you receive written certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

More information can be found here: *** DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly.

Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here: *** Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment.

If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to ***.

Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.