Human Resources Specialist (ELR/Performance Management)

Serve as an HR specialist supporting complex Employee and Labor Relations matters, performance management, and ER/LR program administration for the Federal Transit Administration.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex Employee and Labor Relations (ER/LR) issues to identify root causes, address workforce challenges, and provide strategic guidance to employees, supervisors, and management.
• Administer, evaluate, and maintain agency ER/LR programs, including negotiating agreements and supporting collaborative labor-management partnerships.
• Manage core HR program areas, including Performance Management, Performance Awards, Telework policy administration, and Leave programs.
• Oversee and facilitate the agency’s Drug Testing Program in accordance with federal regulations and established agency guidelines.
• Provide expert advice and counseling on complex conduct and discipline issues, grievances and appeals, and adverse actions.
• Perform duties where responsibility and task complexity scale with the grade level and advancement of the position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. National is required.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Submit required documents by the closing date.
• Direct Hire Authority/SME will be used to fill this position.
• A 1-year probationary period may be required to evaluate fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest.
• Selective Service requirement: males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered.
• Government Travel Card: travel is involved; a contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• Background investigation is required for selected individuals; appointment is subject to successful completion and favorable adjudication.
• Applicants may need to complete a one-year probationary period unless already completed.
• To meet minimum qualifications, you must meet either the education or experience qualifications for the grade requested.

Qualifications (by Grade)

• GS-11 (Experience): at least 1 year equivalent to GS-09, including:
  • Assisting with research on regulations, case law, and agency policies to draft preliminary responses or documentation for performance, conduct, discipline, grievances, or appeals.
  • Assisting supervisors and employees with processing routine performance, leave, and telework actions under established statutory and regulatory guidelines.
• GS-11 (Education alone): 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree. Qualification may also be met with a combination of higher level graduate education and experience.
• GS-12: at least 1 year equivalent to GS-11, including:
  • Managing daily administration for agency HR programs (Performance Management, Telework, Leave, or Drug Testing Program).
  • Researching, providing technical guidance, and drafting official documentation for employee performance actions, misconduct, disciplinary actions, adverse action, grievance, and appeals.
  • Advising managers (additional details in source material extend beyond the provided excerpt).
• GS-12 education: cannot qualify with education at this level; experience is required.
• GS-13: at least 1 year equivalent to GS-12, including:
  • Establishing program priorities, evaluating agency-wide ER/LR operations, and ensuring full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and collective bargaining obligations.
  • Conducting factual research, third-party investigations, and analysis to recommend formal decisions on contested performance actions, disciplinary/adverse actions, grievances, and additional elements in the source excerpt.
• KSAs listed:
  • Employee and Labor Relations
  • Performance Management and Awards
  • Drug Testing and Alternative Work Program
  • Oral and Written Communication
• Experience may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.

Education

• This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Required Documents

• Resume: maximum two (2) pages accepted; must include information needed to determine qualifications, including employment beginning and ending dates, full-time or part-time status, average hours per week, and position titles.
• If federal employment: provide position series and grade level.
• Displaced employees (CTAP/ICTAP): if requesting consideration, provide the most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility letter, and the most current SF-50 showing current series and grade.
• Failure to submit required documents by the closing date results in removal from consideration.

How Applications Are Evaluated

• Evaluation is based on how well you meet the qualification requirements and KSAs at the needed proficiency level.
• Applicants who meet basic qualifications may be assessed to validate KSA proficiency.
• Qualified applicants may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.
• To receive full credit, assessment responses must explicitly reference information from your resume.
• Falsifying background, education, and/or experience may result in not hiring or adverse action after hiring.
• This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Eligibility and Opening

• Open to the public: U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Career transition (CTAP/ICTAP/RPL): eligible federal employees with a job/agency/department eliminated may have priority.
• Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen.
• Due to potential high volume, not all applicants may receive consideration.
• Rule of Many, Veterans Preference, and traditional rating and ranking do not apply to this vacancy.

Conditions of Employment

• As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period evaluating fitness and public-interest advancement.
• After probation, employment may be terminated unless you receive written certification that continued employment advances the public interest.

Benefits

• Eligibility depends on position type and whether the role is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• A career with the U.S. government includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Agency & Application Details

• Location: Washington, DC 20590 (onsite); Telework eligible (situational telework).
• Work site options: Remote job: No; Relocation expenses reimbursed: No.
• Salary: USD 85,447 - 158,322 per year.
• Accepting applications: closes when 75 applications are received, which may occur before the closing date.
• Apply online: use the “Apply Online” button on the job announcement posting; complete the assessment questionnaire and submit required documents.
• Application help: [email protected] (DOT Automated Staffing Office) if you have difficulty applying online.
• Accommodation requests:
  • Application online accommodations: [email protected]
  • Interview process accommodations: [email protected]
• Agency contact: [email protected]
• Address: DOT, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50, Washington, District of Columbia 20590, United States