(Federal) Employee Labor Relations Specialist

Emerson Zane; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Emerson Zane is seeking an accomplished Employee & Labor Relations professional with deep federal government experience to advise agency leadership on sensitive workplace issues and navigate complex personnel actions. The role emphasizes applying federal requirements and precedent to drive resolutions.

The ideal candidate independently manages challenging ER/LR cases, serves as a trusted SME, and collaborates with agency leaders, counsel, and HR partners to ensure compliant, well-documented

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience supporting Employee Relations and/or Labor Relations in a federal environment.
• Significant experience independently managing complex federal employee relations cases.
• 5+ years working with federal personnel laws, regulations, and precedent.
• Strong knowledge of Title 5 U.S.C. and Title 5 CFR.
• Experience applying MSPB, EEOC, and FLRA guidance and precedent.
• Hands-on experience advising management on disciplinary and adverse personnel actions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop Douglas Factor analyses and documentation.
• Experience managing workplace complaints, fact-finding inquiries, and anti-harassment matters.
• Knowledge of federal reasonable accommodation processes.
• Strong written communication skills for sensitive personnel documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple active cases with confidentiality and judgment

Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource to managers navigating sensitive employee relations and personnel actions.
• Evaluate conduct and disciplinary matters; advise leadership on next steps.
• Manage cases involving proposed discipline, suspensions, removals, grievances, and adverse actions.
• Apply the Douglas Factors when evaluating penalties.
• Research federal regulations, precedent, and case law.
• Conduct fact-finding and inquiries into harassment or misconduct.
• Interview employees, managers, and relevant parties during inquiries.
• Develop findings, recommendations, and documentation from results.
• Guide managers through accommodation matters and related documentation.
• Prepare clear correspondence for employee relations cases and grievances.
• Coordinate with HR, agency leadership, counsel, and stakeholders on sensitive matters.
• Maintain accurate case records with confidentiality and PII controls

Skills

Employee relations

Labor relations

Federal regulations

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/IR/Public Admin

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

We are seeking a seasoned Employee & Labor Relations professional with deep experience navigating personnel matters within the federal government.

This individual will work closely with agency leadership and managers to address sensitive and often complex workplace issues. The role requires someone who can assess a situation, determine the appropriate path forward, provide practical guidance to management, and ensure each matter is handled in accordance with federal employment requirements.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has independently managed challenging federal employee relations cases and is comfortable operating as a trusted subject matter expert.

What You'll Be Doing

• Serve as a resource to managers navigating sensitive employee relations issues, workplace concerns, and personnel actions
• Evaluate employee conduct and disciplinary matters and advise leadership on appropriate next steps
• Manage cases involving proposed discipline, suspensions, removals, grievances, and other adverse personnel actions
• Apply the Douglas Factors when evaluating and documenting proposed penalties
• Research and interpret federal employment regulations, administrative precedent, and relevant case law
• Conduct fact-finding and management inquiries involving allegations of harassment or inappropriate workplace conduct
• Interview employees, managers, and other relevant parties as part of workplace inquiries
• Develop written findings, recommendations, and supporting documentation based on investigative results
• Guide managers through federal reasonable accommodation matters and associated documentation
• Prepare clear and comprehensive correspondence associated with employee relations cases, including notices, management decisions, and responses to employee grievances
• Coordinate with HR partners, agency leadership, counsel, and other stakeholders on complex or sensitive matters
• Maintain accurate case records while exercising a high degree of discretion with confidential employee information and PII

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of experience supporting Employee Relations and/or Labor Relations within a federal environment
• Significant experience independently managing complex federal employee relations cases
• 5+ years working directly with federal personnel laws, regulations, and administrative precedent
• Strong working knowledge of Title 5 U.S.C. and Title 5 CFR
• Experience applying guidance and precedent involving the MSPB, EEOC, and FLRA
• Hands-on experience advising management on disciplinary and adverse personnel actions
• Demonstrated ability to develop well-supported Douglas Factor analyses
• Experience managing workplace complaints, fact-finding inquiries, and anti-harassment matters
• Knowledge of federal reasonable accommodation processes
• Strong written communication skills, particularly when developing sensitive or potentially reviewable personnel documentation
• Ability to manage multiple active cases while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, and sound professional judgment

Education & Credentials

A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor or Industrial Relations, Public Administration, or a related field is required. Candidates with a Juris Doctor (JD) will also be considered.

HR or federal employee relations credentials, including SPHR, SHRM-CP, or specialized Federal Employee/Labor Relations certifications, are preferred but not required.

Who Will Be Successful

The strongest candidate will be someone who has been in the weeds of federal employee relations, not simply adjacent to it.

You should be comfortable receiving a complicated employee issue with no obvious answer, identifying the relevant federal requirements and precedent, advising management on its options, and carrying the matter through to appropriately documented resolution.

We're particularly interested in professionals who can balance technical knowledge with practical judgment and who are comfortable working independently on highly sensitive employee matters.