Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Employee & Labor Relations Leadership: Lead Veterans Canteen Service-wide Employee Relations and Labor Relations programs, policies, and initiatives. Provide expert guidance to management and HR staff on complex employee and labor relations matters in accordance with federal laws, regulations, VA directives, and applicable agreements.
• Supervision & Team Development: Supervise HR Specialists and Assistants assigned to the Employee/Labor Relations section. Assign and review work, provide training and coaching, evaluate performance, approve leave, and support staff professional development.
• Disciplinary & Adverse Actions: Oversee and provide technical guidance on disciplinary and adverse actions involving VCS employees. Advise proposing and deciding officials, prepare required correspondence and decision documents, ensure employee rights are protected, and promote consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
• Labor Relations & Case Management: Manage complex labor relations matters, including grievances, unfair labor practice issues, bargaining, information requests, and union-related disputes. Coordinate with HR offices and legal counsel and develop recommendations, position statements, settlements, and case strategies for administrative proceedings and appeals.
• Performance Management: Provide technical guidance on performance standards, counseling, and unacceptable performance matters. Oversee the performance management process for Central Office employees, ensuring standards, appraisals, and performance awards are completed accurately and within established timeframes.
• Training & Program Development: Develop and deliver Employee/Labor Relations training, guidance, and resources for HR staff and managers nationwide. Identify training needs and provide instruction on disciplinary actions, adverse actions, labor relations, performance management, and related HR requirements.
• Strategic Advisement & Program Evaluation: Analyze employee relations trends, survey results, and program data to identify issues and recommend solutions to senior leadership. Prepare briefings, reports, policy recommendations, and responses to senior leadership, VA officials, Congressional inquiries, and other stakeholders.

Conditions of employment

Qualifications

• REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of experience in Human Resources and five (5) years of leadership or supervisory experience, demonstrating the ability to lead teams, manage HR functions, and effectively address workplace matters.

• Federal HR Knowledge: Strong knowledge of federal Human Resources laws, regulations, VA policies, and Veterans Canteen Service policies and procedures, including applicable Title 5 and Title 38 requirements.
• Advanced HR Expertise: Mastery of advanced Human Resources principles, practices, and consultative methods to address complex issues, apply new approaches, and provide effective solutions and recommendations to management.
• Research & Analysis: Ability to research, analyze, and interpret information; identify trends and issues; evaluate organizational needs; and use sound judgment to develop appropriate recommendations and interventions.
• Communication & Presentation: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex HR matters, present findings, prepare recommendations, and communicate effectively with employees, managers, HR professionals, and senior leadership.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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; religions; 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.

• REQUIRED EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of experience in Human Resources and five (5) years of leadership or supervisory experience, demonstrating the ability to lead teams, manage HR functions, and effectively address workplace matters.

• Federal HR Knowledge: Strong knowledge of federal Human Resources laws, regulations, VA policies, and Veterans Canteen Service policies and procedures, including applicable Title 5 and Title 38 requirements.
• Advanced HR Expertise: Mastery of advanced Human Resources principles, practices, and consultative methods to address complex issues, apply new approaches, and provide effective solutions and recommendations to management.
• Research & Analysis: Ability to research, analyze, and interpret information; identify trends and issues; evaluate organizational needs; and use sound judgment to develop appropriate recommendations and interventions.
• Communication & Presentation: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex HR matters, present findings, prepare recommendations, and communicate effectively with employees, managers, HR professionals, and senior leadership.

Next steps