Human Resources Specialist (ER-LR)

Federal Railroad Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Federal Railroad Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, seeks a Senior Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR) who acts as the agency’s authoritative expert on union-management relations and unfair labor practices. The role leads bargaining efforts, provides high-level HR guidance, and coordinates responses with federal labor relations bodies.

Located in the Office of Administration, Office of Human Resources, Labor and Employee Relations Division in Washington, DC, the

Responsibilities

• Provides full-scope advisory services across employee relations (ER), performance management, investigations, and suitability determinations.
• Serves as the authoritative labor relations advisor and lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements.

Job description

• Department: Department of Transportation
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia

This position is located in the Office of Administration, Office of Human Resources (OHR), Labor and Employee Relations Division. The incumbent serves as a Senior Human Resources Specialist and designated Labor Relations Officer (LRO), functioning as the agency's authoritative technical expert on union-management relations, collective bargaining, and unfair labor practices (ULPs).

Key Responsibilities

The Human Resources Specialist (ER/LR): Provides full-scope advisory services across employee relations (ER), performance management, administrative investigations/anti-harassment inquiries, and suitability determinations. Serves as the authoritative management advisor and lead negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, mid-term bargaining, impact-and-implementation negotiations, and union information requests.

Represents the agency before third parties, including the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), and grievance arbitrators. Coordinates responses to unfair labor practice (ULP) charges and complex negotiated grievances, promoting dispute resolution at the lowest organizational tier. Advises management on complex, high-risk employee conduct and disciplinary matters.

Formulates strategy and drafts legally defensible administrative actions, including reprimands, suspensions, demotions, and removals under Title 5 U.S.C. Chapter 75. Partners with the Office of Chief Counsel to prepare litigation defense files, declarations, and testimony for hearings before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Provides expert technical consultation on Chapter 43 actions, performance appraisal cycles, and performance improvement plans (PIPs). Evaluates deficiencies, reviews narrative appraisals, and counsels supervisors through remedial and corrective performance-based actions. Serves as a senior technical investigator and advisor on allegations of workplace harassment and misconduct.

Develops investigative strategies, conducts comprehensive fact-finding interviews, gathers evidence, drafts exhaustive investigative reports, and delivers objective findings with corrective action recommendations to deciding officials. Provides support with reviews background investigations and pre-/post-employment conduct to render authoritative suitability advisements under 5 CFR Part 731.

Evaluates nexus, mitigating/aggravating factors, and security/suitability risks to formulate management positions regarding employment eligibility or suitability-based separations. The ideal candidate for this position has expert level knowledge of HR practices, laws, regulations, policies to provide advice and resolve the full range of complex and wide impacting employee and labor relations operational problems.

The applicant must have excellent written, verbal and analytical skills, work collaboratively with other and have experience serving as an advisor to all levels of management on employee and labor relations issues.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $143913 – $187093/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-16.

What is the work schedule?

This is a Full Time position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Disability' hiring path.

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Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-04 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov