Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Employee and Labor Relations (HE) organization of the BPA Human Resources Service Center (H), Department of Energy (DOE).

A successful candidate in the Employee & Labor Relations Specialist position is responsible for providing technical advice, guidance and interpretation of law and regulations and broader Human Capital functions relative to the Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) programs.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: GS-12: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience 1) providing human resources advisory services to management and employees related to conduct, performance management, recognition, attendance, reasonable accommodation, drug testing program, grievances and background suitability for employment; and 2) serve as management representative in labor-management dealings and working to resolve grievances or other disputes between managers and union officials.

GS-13: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Independently applying employee and labor relations concepts, laws, practices, and precedents to sufficiently advise managers about employee and labor relations programs and projects.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience.

Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations.

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: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

The duty location is Portland OR Vancouver and is not negotiable, except for applicants eligible under the military spouse hiring authority.

Power the Pacific Northwest by empowering its most critical asset: our people The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is seeking a highly skilled Employee & Labor Relations Specialist to navigate the demands of employee and labor relations.

Your work will directly support the stability and resilience of a workforce responsible for operating 75% of the region's high-voltage transmission grid.

This is a vital role where you will act as a strategic partner to leadership, ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of power that energizes communities and fuels economic growth across the region.

As an Employee and Labor Relations Specialist you will: Serve as a Strategic Advisor on Workforce Stability: Act as a key consultant to leadership on complex employee and labor relations matters, providing expert guidance critical to maintaining the operational readiness and reliability of the Pacific Northwest's power grid.

Champion and Implement BPA's People-First Strategy: Develop, interpret, and implement HR policies that directly support BPA's strategic goal to "invest in people" and foster a positive, resilient work environment for a diverse workforce of engineers, skilled trades, and administrative professionals.

Represent BPA in High-Stakes Labor Proceedings: Serve as the agency's representative in critical labor matters, including arbitration, grievances, collective bargaining with the trade and labor unions that represent our highly skilled workforce, and proceedings before third parties like the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), to ensure fair and consistent outcomes.

Resolve Complex Disputes to Ensure Mission Focus: Take the lead on mediating and resolving the most challenging employee disputes, applying creative and effective strategies to maintain morale and stability, particularly within a workforce that has navigated recent organizational changes.

Guide Managers and Supervisors to Lead the Workforce: Provide expert advice and case-strategy guidance to supervisors managing a complex mix of unionized and non-unionized workforce that includes electricians, line workers, and power system operators.

Ensure all disciplinary and performance-based actions are well-documented, fair, and legally sound.

Develop and Deliver Targeted Training: Create and conduct specialized training for managers and employees on labor relations, performance management, and dispute resolution, tailored to the unique operational needs and work environments across BPA's vast service area.

Enhance HR Programs for a Self-Funded Agency: Analyze and evaluate existing Employee and Labor Relations programs to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

Recommend innovative new approaches that align with BPA's status as a self-funded entity focused on cost-competitiveness and continuous improvement.