Mediator (Railroads & Airlines)

Summary The National Mediation Board (NMB) promotes the flow of interstate commerce in the U.S. Airline and Railroad industries through mediation, representation, and arbitration of labor-management disputes. The incumbent will be responsible for the mediation of collective bargaining disputes and, if required, research associated with employee representation for collective bargaining processes. Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment US Citizenship is required. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by background investigation. Direct Deposit of pay is required. Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt. Qualifications Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Basic Specialized Experience Requirement: Experience in negotiating or interpreting labor agreements covering a large number of employees or a number of different crafts or classes, on such matters as wages, hours of work, and working conditions; or in mediating between, or negotiating with, management and employee representatives in the application of labor agreements. Such experience must have demonstrated all of the following: Knowledge of the background history of industrialization and the labor movement. Knowledge of economic, industrial, and labor trends, of current developments and problems in the field of labor-management relations, and of changes and trends in union agreements. Knowledge of collective-bargaining principles, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of the general structure, functions, policies, and practices of management and labor organizations. Knowledge of applicable laws governing collective bargaining, wages, hours, etc. Ability to deal effectively with people in tense situations. Ability to preside at meetings or conferences with dignity, poise, and impartiality. Ability to confer effectively with representatives of labor and management in order to obtain a clear understanding of their views on varied and difficult problems. Ability to analyze the issues in a dispute and evaluate their relative importance and susceptibility to compromise. Ability to formulate concrete and practical suggestions for alternative solution, compromise, and settlement. Ability to write clearly and concisely. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Work as a representative of a national labor organization or of management. Federal or State government or other work that involved dealing with labor relations problems and collective-bargaining agreements or that involved interpretation or application of labor laws, regulations, etc. In addition to meeting the requirements described above, applicants for positions at GS-12 and above must have: Knowledge of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, and the history of railroad and airline legislation and the background of working agreements in these industries. Knowledge of current railroad and airline operations and practices, and of current railroad and airline occupations and crafts or classes, and understanding of the problems arising in the interpretation and application of railroad and airline agreements. Applicants for positions at grades GS-12 and above must have had experience that included such activities as: (1) investigating representation disputes and conducting elections to choose collective-bargaining representatives, or (2) the mediation of increases in pay rates, or (3) the mediation of changes in rules or labor agreements. To be creditable as specialized experience, the work must have demonstrated active involvement in labor-management negotiations. In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: At the GS-12 level, you must meet the following qualifications: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience in (1) the mediation of increases in pay rates, or (2) the mediation of changes in rules or labor agreements. To be creditable as specialized experience, the work must have demonstrated active involvement in railroad labor-management negotiations. At the GS-13 level, you must meet the following qualifications: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience for this position includes: experience in (1) mediating disputes with another mediator between railroads and labor organizations, or (2) conducting research on the industry and labor history of parties involved in a dispute under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education There is no educational substitution for this announcement. Additional information Telework Suitability: The duties of this position are suitable for occasional telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval and if they meet the eligibility criterion in the 2010 Telework Act. Stipulations of Employment: Selection may require completion of a 1-year probationary period. If selected, you will be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. Work Schedule: This position allows for a flexible work schedule which may include remote work subject to agency policy review and approval. Miscellaneous: NMB uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify. This position is being advertised concurrently with vacancy announcement #12631382 using the Merit Promotion procedures. If interested, refer to that announcement to determine if you meet the program requirements and can apply to that announcement. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions within 90 days. If selection is made below the full performance level, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed. Read more Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.