Human Resources Specialist (LER)

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Labor and Employee Relations Division, located in Washington D.C.

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Qualifications:

Experience: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Reviewing and applying Union Information Requests, and/or Grievances or Unfair Labor Practices, and/or Bargaining Proposals Based on Research of Union Contracts, Case-Law, and any other relevant materials.
• Developing and delivering briefings, project papers, status/staff reports, and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
• Processing comprehensive human resources management advisory and technical services on substantive organizational functions and work practices.
• Applying Human Resources principles, concepts, and practices relative to Labor Relations sufficient to serve as an agency or equivalent level consultant to management in devising ways to approach Union bargaining proposals and grievance situations.
• Serving as a Spokesman on Agency bargaining teams to develop and analyze relevant Union bargaining proposals and articulate in writing why the Agency should agree or not agree to them.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Providing guidance regarding Human Resources principles, concepts, and practices relative to Labor Relations sufficient to serve as an agency or equivalent level consultant in responding to collective bargaining agreement disputes and other federal sector labor management relations issues.
• Overseeing all labor relations activities for assigned program office(s) to provide the full breadth of labor relations services, to include mid-term bargaining negotiations with unions or private sectors entities, participation in Term Bargaining Preparation, Unfair Labor Practice and Grievance Responses, and Negotiability Appeal determinations.
• Providing labor relations strategy, advice, and guidance to senior leadership concerning the implementation of organizational-wide initiatives or specific, more targeted proposed Agency changes.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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 critical 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 experience.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/01/2026.

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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Responsibilities:

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your expertise in human resources labor and employee relations principles and policies to ensure compliance with regulations, guidelines, procedures, directives, and instructions. This position starts at a salary of $102,415.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $158,322.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $158,322 (GS-14 Step 10).

GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position.Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts.

Typical duty assignments will include:

• Processing comprehensive human resources management advisory and technical services on substantive organizational functions and work practices.
• Applying a wide range of labor relations concepts, laws, policies, practices, and analytical/diagnostic methods and techniques to address substantive technical issues and problems characterized by controversial and/or sensitive matters such as discipline, leave, attendance questions or disputes, and the grievance process.
• Reviewing unit and employee discipline and support documents unfair labor practices arbitration and negotiability.
• Developing and delivering briefings project papers status/staff reports and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
• Processing comprehensive human resources management advisory and technical services on substantive organizational functions and work practices.

Salary : $102,415