Labor Relations Specialist / Employee Relations Specialist

Labor Relations Specialist / Employee Relations Specialist

We are seeking an experienced Labor Relations Specialist to support federal employee relations and labor relations programs. The role involves advising management on employee conduct and performance matters, supporting union and management relationships, conducting policy and regulatory research, and developing employee accountability programs.

The specialist will assist with preparing case documentation, supporting collective bargaining activities, tracking employee relations matters, and improving HR processes and systems. This is a contractor support role; final personnel and labor relations decisions will remain with federal managers and HR officials.

Key Responsibilities

<>Employee Relations

• Provide guidance to managers on employee conduct, performance issues, disciplinary procedures, and applicable federal regulations.
• Research federal regulations, policies, and case precedents to support employee relations matters.
• Prepare case files, proposal letters, decision letters, and supporting documentation for management review.
• Develop employee accountability programs, progressive discipline guidance, and management toolkits.
• Track employee relations cases, deadlines, and outcomes while preparing status reports and trend analysis.

<>Labor Relations

• Support day-to-day labor relations activities involving unions, employee representatives, management associations, and agency leadership.
• Assist management with collective bargaining preparation, including researching union proposals, drafting counterproposals, and evaluating proposed changes to working conditions.
• Monitor contractual notice requirements and bargaining obligations before implementing workplace changes.
• Support grievance, arbitration, and unfair labor practice matters through research, timeline development, and documentation.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreement provisions and provide guidance to management.

<>Program Development and Process Improvement

• Design, develop, and implement employee relations and labor relations programs, processes, and systems.
• Create and maintain case tracking tools, templates, standard operating procedures, and reporting mechanisms.
• Develop and deliver manager training on employee and labor relations policies and procedures.
• Analyze case data, identify recurring issues, and recommend preventive measures and process improvements.

Requirements

<>Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in employee relations, labor relations, or a closely related HR function.
• Bachelor's degree or 9 years of relevant professional experience in lieu of a degree.
• Working knowledge of federal employee relations and labor relations regulations.
• Experience designing and implementing employee/labor relations programs, processes, and systems.
• Active SECRET security clearance issued by DCSA.
• Ability to work onsite full-time in Washington, DC.

<>Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the Department of State or other federal civilian agencies.
• Knowledge of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (5 U.S.C. Chapter 71) and FLRA case law.
• Knowledge of adverse and performance-based personnel actions under 5 CFR Parts 752 and 432, including MSPB processes.
• Experience supporting collective bargaining, grievance procedures, or mid-term negotiations.
• Professional HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR.

<>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong legal and regulatory research, interpretation, and technical writing skills.
• Understanding of federal employee relations, labor relations, and HR policies.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements, grievance handling, arbitration, and disciplinary processes.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, neutrality, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive personnel matters.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex policies and regulations to managers.
• Knowledge of Privacy Act requirements and appropriate handling of personally identifiable information (PII).
• Strong analytical, organizational, documentation, and case management skills.

<>Work Environment

• Full-time onsite position in Washington, DC.
• Professional federal office environment with business dress expectations.
• Government-furnished laptop and equipment.
• Telework may be permitted only with program-specific approval.