Employee Relations Investigator - Office of Human Resources Management

About the role

As an Employee Relations Investigator in the Workforce Relations Center, OHRM, you will conduct workplace investigations and address employee relations and HR compliance matters. Positions may be filled in Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Lakewood, CO; Tacoma, WA; Raleigh, NC; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; and Philadelphia, PA. We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Duties

• Oversees complex investigations, providing expert advice to HR professionals and managers, and ensuring that all employee-related concerns are managed with consistency, thoroughness, and in full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Investigates potential workplace concerns, including violations of agency policies, values and/or applicable laws or regulations.
• Leads investigations of complaints of misconduct involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, grievance, compliance and/or policy violations utilizing proven and acceptable investigative techniques and in accordance with GSA policy and procedures.
• Collaborates with leadership and other HR Specialists to develop strategies and associated action plans to achieve objectives.
• Provides expert advice and guidance to HR professionals, supervisors, managers, and senior leadership on complex employee relations matters.
• Evaluates investigative findings and makes recommendations for appropriate employee relations actions and resolutions consistent with applicable policies, employment laws, and regulatory standards.
• Generates regular reports to highlight key findings, trends, and areas of concern for continuous improvement.
• Identifies and uses metrics to improve the investigation process, makes recommendations to reduce future similar investigations and associated risks, and maintains accurate and confidential records of investigations, complaints, and compliance activities.
• Conducts in-person, on-site interviews, if possible, with complainant(s), witnesses, and individuals against whom complaints are filed, to gather and analyze the facts associated with the complaints.
• Runs document reviews, including the collection, review, and analysis of relevant documents.
• Prepares comprehensive written investigation reports that clearly identify the issues investigated, relevant policies, findings, and recommendations.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island).
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date.
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable.
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959.
• If selected, current or former political appointees must have OPM authorization; disclosure required.
• Serve a one-year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have identity and work status eligibility verified via DHS e-Verify; any discrepancies must be resolved.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes:

• Investigating administrative matters concerning misconduct, harassment in the workplace and other administrative violations of federal and regulatory policies and laws.
• Preparing an investigation plan, developing interview questions, interviewing witnesses, gathering and analyzing physical evidence, and writing comprehensive, legally sufficient investigative reports.
• Collaborating with external stakeholders on all aspects of the investigative process.

Benefits

• Health insurance (wide range of plans).
• Life insurance coverage with several options.
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year.
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan).
• Transit and child care subsidies.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Long-term care insurance.
• Training and development.