This position is located in Management Directorate, Office of Human Capital and Training, Labor and Employee Relations Division. As a Human Resources Specialist (LER), you will serve as an agency advocate for third-party proceedings arising from labor and employee relations disputes across the Agency, reporting to the Chief of LER. In this capacity, the position serves as a management official.
The qualifications for this position must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/12/2025. Current Federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the lower grade or equivalent grade band in the Federal service. The Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on 09/12/2025. GS-14: You qualify at the GS-14 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, which is equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the federal government, that equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing the following duties: Representing the agency in arbitrations, unfair labor practice (ULP), and grievances before third party entities. Liaising with various levels of leadership to resolve complex labor and employee relations disputes. Interpreting contracts or documentation against complaints for compliance. Reviewing and interpreting laws, procedures and polices for resolution to Labor and Employee Relations complaints. Please read the following important information to ensure you submit everything we need to consider your application: It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit your responses and appropriate documentation prior to 09/12/2025. Your resume will be used to determine your qualifications for the position advertised in this announcement. Therefore, your resume must highlight your most relevant, significant experience related to the requirements found in the qualification section of this announcement, as well as any applicable education. USCIS will only review the first 2 pages of your resume to determine your initial eligibility/qualifications for a position. As such, please be sure to include content to support your eligibility/qualifications for this position within the first 2 pages. Please note that your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since Human Resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Your application will be rated and ranked based on your responses to the online questions. Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information: Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job) Duties (be specific in describing your duties) Employer's name and address Supervisor name and phone number Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008) Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) Salary Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide the above information may result in a finding of ineligible. Note: Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Federal Experience: If you are using current or prior federal experience as a basis for qualifying for this position, the grade levels and length of employment (mm/dd/year) at each grade level must be listed in your work history. This information will be further validated if selected for this position. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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 criteria 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 service.
Represents management in third party proceeding before Arbitrators, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), the Federal Services Impasses Panel (FSIP) and the Federal Mediation and Conciliations Services (FMCS).
Serves as an agency advocate for arbitration cases occurring across LER Field Operations for matters such as employee discipline and adverse actions or disputes concerning the Union contract.
Represent USCIS in Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) proceedings, impasse proceedings before the FSIP, and negotiability and clarification of unit issue before the FLRA.
Provides technical guidance and advice to high level managers on the negotiated and administrative grievance procedures, arbitrations and unfair labor practice charges. Ensures region-wide consistency of the labor-relations program.
Provides assistance as a technical representative to Office of Chief Counsel in representing management in third-party proceedings before the Merit Systems Protection Board and the EEOCS related to adverse actions and unacceptable performance.
Provides expert labor relations advisory services to high-level managers on a wide range of issues impacting labor relations functions and programs region-wide.
Maintains liaison with high-level managers in HQ to keep abreast of issues or problems affecting the status of programs. Responds to issues involving complex problems that require advice and/or authoritative policy interpretations.
Provides expert advisory services to agency senior managers on a wide-range of personnel actions, which are often sensitive and difficult in nature.
Provides technical guidance and assistance on matters pertaining to employee relations issues. Researches, interprets, applies all applicable USCIS, DHS and OPM guidelines, case law, etc., to provide authoritative technical guidance and advice.