Human Resources Specialist (Employee & Labor Relations)

Full Job Description

VHA has adopted the HR Modernization and Shared Services Implementation to organize and consolidate essential HR functions and services to the VISN level related to the acquisition, compensation, retention, and performance of staff, as well as the consistent execution of HR-related administrative functions to benefit both staff and Veterans.

This position is full-time at 40 hours per week. The selectee will remain in their current duty station.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/11/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

For a 13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service.

An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above.To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria:To qualify for this position at the GS-13 level, you must meet one of the following listed Criteria: Criteria 1- Graduate Degree and Specialized Experience: Successful completion of a graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level.

Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector.

Qualifying specialized experience includes: knowledge of, and skill in applying, laws, Executive orders, regulations, policies, collective bargaining agreements, concepts, and various HR policies, practices, procedures, and management controls of the labor and employee relations functions in a regionalized operation sufficient to: provide comprehensive employee and labor relations services onsite; coordinate with and advise supervisors and managers on technical issues involving disciplinary, adverse and all other relevant corrective actions.

~OR~ Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service that demonstrates HR management knowledge, concepts and principles and the performance of work in one or more of the HR specialty areas.

Such experience may be gained in administrative, professional, technical or other responsible work positions in the public (i.e., Government or military) or private sector.

Qualifying specialized experience includes: Providing staff level management advisory service to Network and field facilities on a full range of employee (ER) and labor (LR) relations issues.

In addition, this position will serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) to other consultants handling negotiations that typically involve the development of new approach. Major Duties:

Some duties may include: Provides staff level management advisory service to Network and field facilities on a full range of employee (ER) and labor (LR) relation issues Serves as a staff subject matter expert (SME) to other consultants handling negotiations that typically involve the development of new approaches Reviews issuances from OPM, VA, HQ, VHA, FLRA, FSIP, DOL Prepares responses to proposed policies, and standards of higher authority regarding ER and/or LR issues Apply an unusual degree of insight and technical competence to recognize and accomplish management objectives without sacrificing fundamental principles.

Coordinates the application and implementation of new guidance and assures general consistency in interpretation.

May serve as a SME representative or key witness in third-party proceedings as necessary.

May coordinate with and/or represent the agency at arbitrations and in situations involving proceedings pending litigation in addition to other third-parties as appropriate.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm. Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: This position may be authorized for telework.

Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Human Resources Specialist (Employee & Labor Relations)/PD99988S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.

A pre-placement physical examination is not required. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Healthcare System campus, as needed.

Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).

The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is in the Competitive Service.

Time-in-Grade Restriction: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service.

Interchange Agreements with Other Merit System: Employees who occupy medical or medical-related positions and were appointed under 38 U.S.C. 4701

or

[formerly 38 U.S.C. 4104

and

] must be serving in a full-time position without time limit and have served continuously for at least one year in this other merit system to be eligible to convert to the Title 5 System.

Some exceptions to this rule may apply if you have previously acquired tenure under a Title 5 appointment. Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees.