Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations/Labor Relations)

About the Position: An HR Specialist utilizes an expert level of knowledge and skill in applying the full range of HR methods, principles, practices and evaluative methodologies sufficient to advise on and/or resolve the full range of operational problems which range from recurring through complex and unprecedented. Major duties: Advise managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems. Explain rules and procedures to employees and management to help them understand rights and obligations while maintaining and encouraging objectivity in situations that may be charged with emotion and involve assumptions. Conduct extensive probing and analysis to identify obscure or underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance while focusing managers and supervisors on all the processes of performance management. Advise managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques that are responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems. Conduct studies to develop management interests and respond to union interests at the bargaining table. Represent management in unfair labor practice and representation hearings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority and in impasse proceedings before the Federal Services Impasses Panel. Communicate agency-wide labor relations policies and procedures to management and staff of the local organization or organizational segments serviced and relate existing precedents to the specific issue in justifying managements views.