Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)

Summary This position is located in Human Capital Directorate, Chief Operating Officer. The position description numbers for this position is 130869. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. Salary will be set according to the incumbent's duty station. This is a non-supervisory, non-bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Duties The selectee for this position will join a team responsible for administering the Employee Relations program at the Library of Congress. With oversight by the Employee Relations Team leader, the incumbent advises Library management on addressing employee misconduct via a wide range of corrective, disciplinary, and adverse actions from counselings and reprimands to suspensions and removals. This work requires substantial interpretation of Library and federal regulations and drafting and reviewing documents including counseling memos, written warnings, notices of proposed adverse actions, and final decision letters, and ensuring that documentation adheres to Library policies and practices. Advise management on Employee Relations matters such as emergency situations involving employees who are causing disruption and employees who can no longer perform their duties due to medical issues. Advises management on addressing performance issues, and drafts supporting documents including performance improvement plans, and demotion or removal notices. Develops materials for, and assists in conducting, supervisory/managerial training on employee relations topics. As necessary, appears as a witness at hearings regarding facts or procedures in employee relations cases. Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships with executives, managers, and supervisors as well as colleagues in other Library units, and feels comfortable communicating to a variety of management officials at various levels and persuading management on the appropriate course of action in Employee Relations matters to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Employee Relations program. Manages a variety of competing demands related to incoming cases and ongoing actions with flexibility. Requirements Conditions of employment Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Knowledge of federal laws and regulations related to misconduct that govern corrective, disciplinary, and adverse actions for federal government employees.** Ability to provide seasoned consultation regarding the application of the Douglas Factors.** Ability to provide expert level guidance to management on performance-based actions utilizing knowledge of federal laws and regulations and an agency’s policies, procedures, and practices. Ability to provide customer service. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing. Education There are no education requirements for this position. Additional information Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see:Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant’s college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application.  Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate an NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran?  Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim.  Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214.  Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form.  If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.   Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. 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 windowLearn 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.