Human Resources Specialist (Labor and Employee Relations)

Summary

Organizational Location: These positions are with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, HR Policy and Programs Division, Labor and Employee Relations Division, in the following locations: Imperial, CA El Centro, CA Chula Vista, CA San Diego, CA Los Angeles, CA San Ysidro, CA Calexico, CA Long Beach, CA

Duties

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your expertise in providing comprehensive advisory services to supervisors and managers on employee and labor relations matters, independently managing complex cases such as disciplinary actions, performance issues, and investigations. This position starts at a salary of $61,722.00 (GS-9, Step 1) to $97,087.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $138,370 (GS-13 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 Work assignments include: Assisting in processing a variety of employee relations actions, including disciplinary cases (such as reprimands, suspensions, and removals) and performance-based actions (such as performance improvement plans and demotions), gathering pertinent facts, collecting relevant documentation, and ensuring all information is accurate, complete, and properly organized. Providing technical support on a broad spectrum of employee and labor relations matters, in both routine and complex cases, conducting thorough research on relevant agency policies, federal regulations, and negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Supporting labor relations activities by compiling essential information for grievance responses, including gathering relevant documentation, reviewing case histories, and organizing supporting evidence; diligently tracks critical timelines associated with grievances, disciplinary actions, and bargaining obligations. Maintaining and organizes case files and tracking systems to ensure accurate documentation of all employee and labor relations actions, including disciplinary cases, grievances, performance management actions, and labor-management disputes; establishes and updates electronic records timely and accurately, ensuring that all relevant documents are properly filed, indexed, and easily retrievable. Participating in meetings and fact-finding sessions related to employee and labor relations matters, such as grievance discussions, disciplinary hearings, investigative interviews, and labor management negotiations; meticulously documents proceedings by taking thorough and accurate notes, preparing formal summaries or meeting minutes, and maintaining and updating records in both electronic and physical formats.

Qualifications

Experience - GS-09: You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Providing basic information to managers and employees on matters related to basic human resources principles and concepts. Applying research techniques to gather relevant information and/or evidence to accomplish assigned duties. Analyzing inputs to determine the best course of action on relatively uncomplicated human resources matters. Negotiating techniques and methods of presentation, specific phases of the labor relations process and standardized fact-finding and analytical techniques. Identifying performance management problems and issues as characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity and ability to express legal recommendations in oral and written form. Experience - GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: 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. 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. Education Substitution - GS-09: A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or an LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience required at this level. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours. Education Substitution - GS-11: A Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. degree may substitute for experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. More information on this qualification standard is located here. 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 11/06/2026. 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 ask