Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations)

US Office of Justice Programs; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

US Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in Washington, DC seeks a Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations) at GS-13/14 with federal HR expertise. You will support ER programs through case management, policy development, and ADR activities to strengthen HR operations.

This role requires completion of an online USA Hire assessment and meeting all qualification requirements by the closing date, with a focus on accountability, attention to detail, and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 level.
• Experience in employee relations case management, policy development, and ER program support.
• Experience advising on ADR programs and evaluating ADR functions.
• Ability to provide analysis and recommendations on ER matters affecting HR policy.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex Employee Relations programs, including case management and policy development.
• Advise on ADR programs and evaluate ADR functions to identify improvements.
• Provide authoritative analysis and recommendations on sensitive ER cases impacting HR policy.

Skills

Case management

Policy development

ADR programs

ER program analysis

HR operations

Job description

This role is located in the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which provides federal leadership, funding and resources to support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect children, assist crime victims, and address public safety challenges such as human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

This job is also being advertised to open to current or former federal employees in the competitive service and specific hiring authorities under announcement number JP-26-018. To qualify for the position of Human Resources Specialist (Employee Relations), at GS-0201-13/14, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

GS-13 Specialized Experience:

Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Supports Employee Relations (ER) activities by performing case management tasks with guidance, assisting with policy development, and helping assess ER program needs.
• Assists in administering Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) activities, reviewing ADR cases, identifying issues or barriers, and/or recommending improvements to strengthen dispute resolution processes.
• Performs case-related analyses and provides informed recommendations on sensitive ER matters that influence program operations and HR practices.

GS-14 Specialized Experience:

Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Examples of specialized experience include:

• Manages complex Employee Relations (ER) programs, including case management, policy development, and/or evaluation of ER operations.
• Advises on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs, evaluates ADR functions, identifies systemic barriers, and/or recommends improvements.
• Provides authoritative analysis and expert recommendations on complex and/or sensitive Employee Relations cases that impact program operations and Human Resources policy.

Online Assessment:

This position requires an online assessment. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 09/21/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Decision Making
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 09/21/2026.

Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.