Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking a Human Resources Specialist to support employee relations matters for managers, employees, and leaders within the Office of Human Capital. This onsite role in Washington, DC focuses on advising on conduct and performance issues, and on resolving complex leave, attendance, and grievance disputes using applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The position is filled under a time-limited appointment (more than one year, not-to-exceed 3 years) and is not a permanent appointment.

Location: Washington, DC (onsite)
Salary: USD 67,100 - 133,142 per year

What You’ll Do

• Advise managers and supervisors on employee relations issues by analyzing conduct and performance concerns and recommending appropriate, defensible disciplinary or corrective actions.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on complex leave, attendance, and grievance matters by applying current employee relations laws, regulations, and policies to resolve disputes.
• Explain applicable rules and procedures to employees in clear, understandable terms, including helping employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations.
• Conduct thorough fact-finding and analysis to identify potential causes of misconduct or poor performance and support appropriate corrective action.

Time-Limited Appointment Details

• Filled to meet agency needs under a time-limited appointment of more than 1 year but not-to-exceed 3 years, based on management approval related to workload requirements and available funding.
• This is not a permanent appointment and does not allow conversion to a permanent competitive service.
• One or more positions may be filled using this vacancy announcement.
• The first 100 applicants will receive first consideration; additional applicants may be considered upon management request.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• Upon appointment, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Resume length must be limited to no more than 2 pages, with clear and specific descriptions of experience.
• Do not copy and paste duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire content from the announcement into your resume.

Qualification Level Guidance (GS)

• GS-09: 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-07 level or equivalent, including providing management advisory services for employee relations problems of limited scope; researching and applying laws, policies, and agency precedent; and performing fact-finding and analysis to gather, verify, and analyze clear and relevant information while advising managers and employees on routine matters.
• GS-11: 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-09 level or equivalent, including resolving disputed facts through fact-finding, evidence analysis, and credibility determinations; explaining rules and procedures to employees; and analyzing causes of misconduct or poor performance.
• GS-12: 1 year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent, including communicating organization-wide employee relations policies and procedures; explaining conduct and performance rules; drafting proposals or decision letters for discipline and adverse action cases; and advising managers on appropriate disciplinary or related actions.

Benefits and Employment Information

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; and Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k).
• Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
• Flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; and uniform allowance.
• Health and wellness programs and fitness centers.
• Disabled veteran leave available to eligible federal employees hired on or after November 5, 2016, with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Who Can Apply

• The public: U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL): eligible federal employees whose job, agency, or department was eliminated.
• Direct Hire Authority: open to all U.S. citizens through the Office of Personnel Management.

Additional Information and Assessments

• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility of newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Conditional offer recipients must complete Optional Form 306 and certify the accuracy of application information prior to entry on duty.
• Selected applicants must undergo and successfully obtain and maintain a background investigation for High Risk/Public Trust.
• Requests for reasonable accommodation may be available if a disability would interfere with completing required assessments.
• An online assessment is required, and USA Hire Assessments include a cut score that must be met or exceeded to be considered.

Required Documents

• 2-page resume showing relevant experience, education, and training.
• Work experience on the resume must include job title, duties, employer name, employer telephone number, employer address, starting and ending dates (MM/YY), hours worked per week, and whether the employer’s current supervisor may be contacted.
• If more than 2 pages are submitted, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed for eligibility and qualifications.