Human Resources Specialist (LER)

About the role

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Human Resources Policy and Programs Directorate/Labor and Employee Relations Division. Duty locations include:

• El Paso, TX
• New York, NY
• Washington, DC
• Miramar, FL
• Seattle, WA
• San Diego, CA

You will serve as a subject matter expert responsible for a variety of assignments involving advice, consultation, and guidance on various issues relating to the management of employees, discipline and bargaining, and other labor and employee relations issues for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Responsibilities

• Applying a range of employee and labor relations concepts, laws, policies, practices and analytical/diagnostic methods and techniques to address substantive technical issues or problems characterized by controversial and/or sensitive matters such as discipline, leave, attendance questions or disputes, and the grievance process.
• Reviewing and drafting employee discipline and support documents, unfair labor practices, arbitration, negotiability, and other issues.
• Researching applicable laws and regulations to provide guidance to employees and supervisors.
• Developing and delivering briefings, project papers, status/staff reports, and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.
• Applying fact-finding techniques to review and gather evidence related to applicable employee relations laws and procedures in order to identify, evaluate, and recommend to management the appropriate human resources interventions to resolve interrelated human resources problems and issues.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (see Additional Information for details and waiver conditions).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• May be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, you must adhere to all government ethics standards, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• This position is not covered under a bargaining unit.

Qualifications

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Advising managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques that are responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems.
• Communicating agency-wide labor relations policies and procedures to management and staff of the local organization or organizational segments serviced.
• Conducting extensive analysis to identify obscure or underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance.
• Conducting systematic studies to develop management interests and respond to union interests at the bargaining table.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, 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 October 26, 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.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $106,437.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $138,370.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Locality pay tables apply by geographic area; if your geographic area is not 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.

Additional information

Background investigation

CBP is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances.

Residency requirement

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary period

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of their initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Career Transition Assistance Programs (CTAP/ICTAP)

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position and submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section.

Required documents

• SF-50s to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility requirements and the most recent performance rating signed by your supervisor or a statement from your supervisor documenting acceptable performance.
• Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.
• Do not submit documents as PDF Portfolios.

Special hiring authorities

Veterans, military spouses (effective until December 31, 2028), Peace Corps/VISTA