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In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management. GS 09 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the fundamental principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations; standardized research techniques; and analytical and problem-solving methods required to advise on and resolve moderately complex, non-controversial, well-precedented factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues; make informed judgments on problems and issues; and perform advisory services for problems of limited scope. OR EDUCATION: 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. D., in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your official college transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts with your application. GS 11 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the full range of employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform analyses and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations, and advise managers regarding appropriate corrective techniques in response to a range of conduct and performance issues. OR EDUCATION: Completed a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your official transcripts with your application. GS 12 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of a wide range of labor and employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, and legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to research, analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations and advise managers on appropriate responses to a variety of bargaining unit actions and/or appropriate corrective techniques for a range of conduct and performance issues. GS9 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of the fundamental principles, practices, and techniques of employee relations; standardized research techniques; and analytical and problem-solving methods required to advise on and resolve moderately complex, non-controversial, well-precedented factual, procedural, and/or recurring issues; make informed judgments on problems and issues; and perform advisory services for problems of limited scope. 2. Skill in gathering, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from information, and communicating information clearly, both orally and in writing. 3. Ability to analyze specific phases of common, well-precedented, and/or recurring cases or situations and to develop and prepare clear explanations of facts. 4. Ability to select the appropriate basic, legal, and regulatory provisions applicable to each situation and locate appropriate and applicable precedents and legal documentation. 5. Ability to interpret and analyze basic issues of fact and law. 6. Ability to identify and analyze numerous facts and allegations to determine accuracy and applicability to the cases. GS11 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of the full range of employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to perform analyses and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations, and advise managers regarding appropriate corrective techniques in response to a range of conduct and performance issues. 2. Knowledge of Federal HR management functions, theories, and techniques and the basic relationships of various HR disciplines sufficient to advise management and employees regarding rules and procedures and their obligations and entitlements. 3. Knowledge of legal research methods, information-gathering techniques, and analytical capabilities sufficient to locate, interpret, and analyze for applicability and appropriateness, precedent and substantive decisions, and/or legal opinions that various courts and administrative bodies have rendered. 4. Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques sufficient to interact in highly-charged, emotional situations which may arise due to delicate or highly contested case matters and determinations. 5. Skill in gathering facts and using effective, analytical, and evaluative methods to accurately assess information and make sound decisions. 6. Ability to communicate with others, both orally and in writing, sufficient to formulate and present arguments and advisory opinions and prepare case documents. GS12 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of a wide range of labor and employee relations concepts, case law, principles, practices, and legal and regulatory requirements sufficient to research, analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions on complex legal issues, problems, and situations and advise managers on appropriate responses to a variety of bargaining unit actions and/or appropriate corrective techniques for a range of conduct and performance issues. 2. Knowledge of the federal Human Resources (HR) management functions, theories, and techniques; the basic relationships of various HR disciplines; and management objectives as they apply to specific matters. 3. Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in negotiation, mediation, alternate dispute resolution (ADR), arbitration, conflict resolution, coalition and consensus building, etc., and conducting research and fact-finding to advise and represent management in identifying, analyzing, assessing, resolving disputed facts about, interpreting, responding to, and reaching resolution on issues, actions, etc. 4. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing and establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel to include explaining rules and procedures to employees and advising on their rights and obligations and encouraging objectivity in situations that may be charged with emotions and assumptions.
The primary purpose of this position is developmental with known potential to the target position GS12 to serve as the senior labor relations specialist at an Air Force (AF) installation, establishing and maintaining effective relationships including the use of non-traditional collaborative approaches with labor organizations that represent federal employees, negotiating and administering labor agreements, and providing guidance and consultation to management on a variety of labor relations matters. Also performs work that involves providing advice and assistance to employees and managers, program administration, research, and case management in matters related to conduct, performance, attendance, and dispute resolution. DUTIES: As the senior labor relations specialist at an AF installation, oversees, carries out, and advises management on the local labor relations program. Negotiates labor agreements between management and labor organizations. Serves as technical advisor and management representative involving third party proceedings. Performs the full range of employee relations management duties for an AF installation.