Summary

As an Employee Relations Specialist (Trainee), you will assist higher-graded HR Specialist in providing employee relations services.

Location of position: This position is located within the General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), Washington, DC.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

This Notice is issued under the Expedited Hiring Authority for College Graduates which allows federal agencies to use strategic recruiting to hire college graduates into professional and administrative positions.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT WILL CLOSE WHEN WE HAVE RECIEVED 100 APPLICATIONS WHICH MAY BE SOONER THAN THE CLOSING DATE. LEARN MORE

A few key facts about this notice:

• Recent Graduates: If you completed a qualifying degree within the previous two years, you may apply. If you are a veteran who was prevented from applying during the 2-year period due to your military service, you may apply if your degree was completed within the last 6 years.
• Enrolled students: If you will complete your degree requirements within 30 DAYS of the closing date of the announcement, you may apply.
  
  
  

This is an entry-level developmental position that provides training and hands-on experience in employee relations, labor relations, and performance management. The role involves structured assignments under close supervision to develop knowledge and skills in applying HR principles, processes, practices, and procedures.

As an Employee Relations Specialist (Trainee), you will perform the following duties:

• Completes developmental assignments in the application of employee relations guidelines, principles, and practices. Under close supervision and assistance as required, analyzes the issues in an assignment, then selects and applies accepted HR principles, processes, and practices to determine the most effective methodology needed to meet program objectives for the resolution of employee relations issues.
• Performs analytical and evaluative work selected by the supervisor to enhance developing skills and experience base. Gathers and analyzes data and information on select employee relations issues and presents recommendations for resolution to higher-graded specialists or supervisors.
• Assists higher-graded specialists in preparing briefings to management and/or senior staff employees on a variety of employee relations issues. Provides assistance to higher grade specialists in conducting New Employee Orientation (NEO) and/or Supervisory Toolbox training presentations.
• Identifies and develops information required for use by higher-graded specialists in the management and direction of employee relations programs. Prepares and presents recommendations to higher-graded specialists or supervisors regarding employee relations issues.
• Performs tasks that support learning the scope and foundation of agency human resources employees relations activities; agency missions; policies, objectives; and management principles and processes. Interprets or adapts available guidelines to specific HR employee relations issues or subjects studied regarding the attainment of the goals of limited projects.
  
  
  

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959
  
  
  

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Register with the Selective Service, if you are a male born after 12/31/1959.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  
  
  

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).
  
  
  

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-7 salary range starts at $57,736 per year. If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that involves completing structured assignments and producing work products such as reports, summaries, or presentations; analyzing problems and identifying key factors; gathering and organizing information; planning and prioritizing work; and communicating information clearly, both orally and in writing.

OR

Education: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).

OR

Combination of Education & Specialized Experience: A combination of graduate level education and appropriate experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the baccalaureate level is fully qualifying at the GS-7 level. To claim SAA, submit documentation of one of the following:

• Class standing -- You must be in the upper third of your graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
• Grade-point average (rounded to one decimal point) of:
• 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum; or
• 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during your final 2 years of the curriculum.
• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies.
  
  
  

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

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.

You will have access to many benefits including:

• Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
• Life insurance coverage with several options
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
• Transit and child care subsidies
• Flexible spending accounts
• Long-term care insurance
• Training and development
  
  
  

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.