Duties

Summary

This position is in Office of Mission Support (OMS), Office of Human Resources (OHR), Labor and Employee Relations Division. If selected, you must work at the location stated in this announcement. About OMS: OMS Webpage.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

At the entry level of this position, you will:

• Assist higher-grade Human Resources Specialists in providing guidance to Headquarters managers and supervisors on programs that maintain a high standard of employee morale, conduct and ensures effective processing of disciplinary cases, adverse actions, reduction-in-force, with-holding of within-grade increases, performance based actions or disciplinary action appeals; grievances and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints.
• Analyze sensitive and complex employee relations matters to determine appropriate corrective action; recommend course of action to resolve problems based on knowledge to interpret administrative case law, regulations, policies, judgment and experience.
• Provide technical advice and assistance on labor relations matters encompassing unit recognition and changes, negotiability issues, contract negotiations, agreement implementations, third-party proceedings and other day-to-day contacts with union, management and/or third party representatives.
• Provide managers and supervisors technical and administrative advice and assistance on daily basis dealings with unions and contract interpretation and administration.
• Assist with special projects and/or studies related to a wide variety of personnel human resource management policies, programs or practices.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be required to travel less than 25% of each month.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).

This position is designated as Moderate Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

You must meet time in grade requirements no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

You do not need a degree to qualify for this position.

We are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS-09 level, you need to have at least one year of full-time experience equivalent to the GS-07 level defined as providing human resources management principles and labor and employee relation services to assigned organization. - OR master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D., if related; degree in an academic discipline related to this position.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

• Skill in applying fundamental methods, principles and practices sufficient to independently perform routine human resources management functions.
• Ability to analyze office and agency human resources management issues to develop recommendations for solutions to problems.
• Knowledge of the labor and employee relations services to provide advice to management.
• Ability to communicate human resources policies, regulations, or processes.
• Skill in resolving solutions to problems or responding to questions.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Ability to gather facts and use effective, analytical and evaluative methods to accurately access information and make sound decisions.

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.

Education

Additional information

Are you a Displaced Federal Employee? If so, please read the Required Documents section and visit the EPA website for additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

This position is not in the bargaining unit.

If you have part-time work experience, read this: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures .

Position has portable work and selectee may be authorized to telework after meeting eligibility requirements if approved by the supervisor/manager.

If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.

Except in special circumstances, those new to the federal government will be hired at the starting salary (step 1) of the applicable grade range listed above.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment. Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position and an applicable score assigned.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements. If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE: We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Documents to be submitted online:

• Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
• Responses to the online assessment questionnaire (you must complete this online - it is not a document you need to upload).
• College transcripts - if qualifying for this position based on education or a combination of experience and education, you are required to submit either unofficial transcripts or a list of courses that includes school(s) attended, school address, course title, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter or semester hours earned. NOTE: Official educational transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work with EPA.
• Veterans' Preference Documents - DD-214 Member 4 copy (or other copy indicating character of service), VA letter stating overall/combined disability rating (percentage), and SF-15, if applicable; active duty service members: submit certification from the armed forces documenting active duty dates, expected discharge/release date, campaign medals/badges, and character of service (a certification is any written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged/released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after you submit the certification).
• Displaced Federal employees under ICTAP/CTAP: copy of your most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and your most current SF-50 noting position, grade level, tenure, and duty station.
• Current and Former Federal Employees: You are required to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) indicating your status eligibility. This SF-50 should include your Position Title, Pay Plan, Occupational Code, and Grade or Level. If you are a current temporary/term employee who previously held a status Federal position, you need to submit your SF-50 which shows your eligibility to be considered. If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
• Current EPA Employees: You are encouraged to submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50). If you fail to provide an SF-50, we will access your Federal employment records in eOPF to verify your eligibility to be considered. If your eligibility for consideration cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
• If you are applying for a noncompetitive appointment, you'll need to submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy announcement. If you want to learn more about noncompetitive appointments, visit OPM's website: Special Appointment Authorities
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If you want to know more about submitting documentation to our office, visit EPA's website:
EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures
.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.