Employee Relations Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position is located in the Department of Veteran Affairs, Office of Human Resources & Administration, Office of the Chief in Human Capital Officer (OCHCO), Office of Labor Management Relations (LMR). The mission of LMR is to promote labor management relations throughout the Department to enable VA to improve delivery of services to Veterans and their families and to create a positive work environment.
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Duties
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Assists the Executive Director, LMR, in formulating Department-wide strategies, policies and programs to ensure that the Department's bargaining obligations, labor relations goals, and training goals are accomplished. Participates in the assessment of LMR requirements and reviews the effectiveness of current Department labor-management relations policies, plans, procedures, and standards. Determines and develops strategic goals, objectives, strategies, plans, and resource requirements, and monitors program effectiveness. Works with the Office of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, Human Resources and Administration heads of VA Administrations, staff office directors, or other top officials of those organizations regarding issues of mutual interest. Develops resolutions to national and local labor-management conflicts, labor relations litigation matters, and policy or program-related matters of exceptional importance.
The incumbent is a key player in the development of the VA's national labor-management relations priorities. Recommends general policies, plans, procedures, and standards for program formulation and operational activities related to the achievement of labor-management relations goals and objectives. Provides advice and assistance to key staff officials/program officials in determining and establishing affirmative approaches necessary for those offices to meet their labor relations obligations.
Monitors the implementation, on a nation-wide basis, of new labor-management relations policies and programs approved by the Executive Director, the OCHCO, the Assistant Secretary for HRA, or the Secretary. Ensures that the issues and/or concerns of those officials are taken fully into account in the implementation process and that appropriate matters are coordinated with other interested VA organizations.
Serves as personal and confidential advisor to the Executive Director. As such, the incumbent plays an integral part in the decision-making process - involving all aspects of the management of resources for the Office. Advises the Executive Director on matters that relate to managerial efficiency, workflow, and human resources management. Initiates and implements procedures and standards necessary to ensure all services and programs are provided within acceptable timeframes and quality standards. Makes recommendations to the Executive Director in regard to organizational structure, positions management, and related matters to ensure the effective and efficient operation of LMR.
Serves as a first-level supervisor for LMR staff, which consists predominantly of GS-14 Labor Relations Specialists who provide review, analysis, briefings, advice and recommendations across the Department on highly technical and complex labor relations issues.
Other duties may be assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: May be available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: PD41668-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be serving in a position in Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service. You will obtain competitive status after two years of service in this position [if applicable]. Your employment in this position will be at-will. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeals of adverse actions concerning performance, discipline, and other matters arising under chapters 23, 43, and 75 of title 5, United States Code will not be available to an individual serving in this position. Prohibitions on prohibited personnel practices will be enforced by the Office of General Counsel [or agency equivalent position] and not the Office of Special Counsel.

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/08/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to some former Federal employees applying for reinstatement, as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade.
The BASIC REQUIREMENT for the HR Specialist GS-0201 series is presumed met if found qualified at the GS-0201-7 level and above.
Criteria 1- Graduate level degree or higher and three years of progressive specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level
Examples of specialized experience would typically include but are not limited to:

• Providing expert guidance to management regarding contract interpretation, administration, and compliance with federal labor laws.
• Prepares legal briefs and represents management at arbitration hearings or before the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).
• Investigates and responds to formal complaints filed by employees, unions, or other stakeholders related to labor practices.
• Coordinates with legal counsel to ensure compliance and resolution.
• Conducts training for supervisors and managers on labor relations topics such as grievance procedures, union rights, and collective bargaining.
• Advises management in the resolution of employee grievances, disciplinary actions, and appeals.
• Ensures actions are consistent with negotiated agreements and regulatory requirements.

AND/OR
Criteria 2- Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-14 level which includes:

• Experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to Labor Relations (LR).
• Experience providing authoritative guidance, interpretation, and recommendations as it relates to LR issues.
• Experience leading workgroups and formulating strategies, policies and programs to support LR goals and objectives.

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.
Note: Resume must include job title and employer name, number of hours worked per week, start and end dates (including month and year), list of duties and responsibilities for each position held. In addition, if the experience was a federal position, you must list series and grade for each position held. Failure to include this information may result in an ineligible rating. A full year of work is considered to be 40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The employee works primarily in an office setting involving everyday risks or discomforts.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.
To be found well qualified, applicants must meet the following qualifications: At least one year of experience which includes plans and develops programs for labor relations negotiation. Provides comprehensive and direct advice and guidance to agency personnel on all facets of the labor relations program. Provides continuing advice on all aspects of labor relations.
.Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Local Commuting Area: The local commuting area for this position is defined as a radius of 50 miles from . This includes all locations that fall within a 50-mile driving distance .from 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420 .
Education
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office.
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration (HRA) at The Fair Chance Act.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessm