Human Resources Specialist (Labor and Employee Relations)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in California seeks a Human Resources Specialist to provide advisory services to supervisors on employee and labor relations matters, handling disciplinary actions, performance issues, and investigations.

The role requires researching agency policies and regulations, supporting grievance responses, and maintaining comprehensive case files. Salary starts at $61,722 (GS-9) to $97,087 (GS-11) with potential to $138,370 (GS-13).

Qualifications

• GS-09: 1 year of specialized experience in HR/advisory work; basic knowledge of HR principles.
• GS-11: 1 year of specialized experience in disciplinary actions, investigations, and labor relations.
• Education substitution: master's degree or 2 grad years may substitute for experience at GS-09; PhD/3 grad years may substitute for GS-11.

Responsibilities

• Provide information to managers and employees on HR matters.
• Research agency policies and regulations to support advisory work.
• Support labor relations by gathering documentation for grievances and tracking timelines.
• Maintain case files and notes for disciplinary actions, grievances, and investigations.

Job description

Summary

Organizational Location: These positions are with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, HR Policy and Programs Division, Labor and Employee Relations Division, in the following locations: Imperial, CA El Centro, CA Chula Vista, CA San Diego, CA Los Angeles, CA San Ysidro, CA Calexico, CA Long Beach, CA.

Duties

Joining Customs & Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to utilize your expertise in providing comprehensive advisory services to supervisors and managers on employee and labor relations matters, independently managing complex cases such as disciplinary actions, performance issues, and investigations. This position starts at a salary of $61,722.00 (GS-9, Step 1) to $97,087.00 (GS-11, Step 10) with promotion potential to $138,370 (GS-13 Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area 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 of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. Typical Work assignments include: Assisting in processing a variety of employee relations actions, including disciplinary cases (such as reprimands, suspensions, and removals) and performance-based actions (such as performance improvement plans and demotions), gathering pertinent facts, collecting relevant documentation, and ensuring all information is accurate, complete, and properly organized. Providing technical support on a broad spectrum of employee and labor relations matters, in both routine and complex cases, conducting thorough research on relevant agency policies, federal regulations, and negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Supporting labor relations activities by compiling essential information for grievance responses, including gathering relevant documentation, reviewing case histories, and organizing supporting evidence; diligently tracks critical timelines associated with grievances, disciplinary actions, and bargaining obligations. Maintaining and organizes case files and tracking systems to ensure accurate documentation of all employee and labor relations actions, including disciplinary cases, grievances, performance management actions, and labor-management disputes; establishes and updates electronic records timely and accurately, ensuring that all relevant documents are properly filed, indexed, and easily retrievable. Participating in meetings and fact-finding sessions related to employee and labor relations matters, such as grievance discussions, disciplinary hearings, investigative interviews, and labor management negotiations; meticulously documents proceedings by taking thorough and accurate notes, preparing formal summaries or meeting minutes, and maintaining and updating records in both electronic and physical formats.

Requiremennts

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You 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 will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. This vacancy has a local commuting area requirement, as defined below: The area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work; Or The employee's permanent duty station is located within the reasonable travel area surrounding the duty station of this vacancy; Or if applicable For employees who are detailed or temporarily promoted for more than 1 year to another duty location, the detailed or temporary duty location is considered to be the duty location of record for commuting area purposes. For employees detailed or temporarily promoted for less than one year, the permanent duty location is considered the duty location of record for commuting area purposes.

Qualifications

Experience - GS-09: You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Providing basic information to managers and employees on matters related to basic human resources principles and concepts. Applying research techniques to gather relevant information and/or evidence to accomplish assigned duties. Analyzing inputs to determine the best course of action on relatively uncomplicated human resources matters. Negotiating techniques and methods of presentation, specific phases of the labor relations process and standardized fact-finding and analytical techniques. Identifying performance management problems and issues as characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity and ability to express legal recommendations in oral and written form. Experience - GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Reviewing unit and employee discipline and support documents, unfair labor practices, arbitration, and negotiability. Developing and delivering briefings, project papers, status/staff reports, and correspondence to managers to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. Processing comprehensive human resources management advisory and technical services on substantive organizational functions and work practices. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Education Substitution - GS-09: A master's degree or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or an LL.B. degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience required at this level. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours. Education Substitution - GS-11: A Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. degree may substitute for experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the skills necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine the number of credit hours comprising three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. More information on this qualification standard is located here. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, 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 11/06/2026. 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. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. 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. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers Residency: 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 you 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 his/her 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. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Continued from Required Documents Section: Are you a veteran? If you are applying under a veteran appointing authority, you must submit documentation to support eligibility such as a DD 214 listing the character of service and either qualifying medal(s) or service period, a VA Disability Award letter dated 1991 or later, and/or supporting documentation as listed on the Standard Form 15. If you are currently serving on active duty, you must submit a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service, your rank, expected type of discharge and anticipated date of separation. If you apply with a written statement at this stage, your preference will be verified by a DD 214 (Member Copy 4) upon separation from the military. To learn more click here. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your initial and termination SF-50s. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. You may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards. Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). Additionally, if you are a former federal employee, and have been separated from Federal service for over 52 weeks, it is recommended that you submit your most recent rating of record (performance appraisal) when applying.

Additional Information

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. Additional Hiring and Special Appointing Authorities: See "THIS JOB IS OPEN TO" section above for what additional Appointing Authorities may apply. Veterans, military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and people with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility and to understand what documentation would be required with your application, please click on the appropriate link below. You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to the closing date of this announcement. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, please contact the CBP Hiring Center via the contact information listed at the end of this job opportunity announcement. Veterans Military spouses Effective until December 31, 2028, any spouse of a member on active duty may be eligible Individuals with Disabilities The proof of disability documentation must specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. For more information visit this link. Peace Corps and VISTA Land Management Hiring Flexibility Act: The following documents are required at the time of application: 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. Other miscellaneous hiring authorities Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion, nor is the promise of promotion implied.

Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

Securing America's Borders The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is calling on those who want to help protect American interests and secure our Nation. DHS Components work collectively to prevent terrorism; secure borders and our transportation systems; protect the President and other dignitaries; enforce and administer immigration laws; safeguard cyberspace; and ensure resilience to disasters. We achieve these vital missions through a workforce spanning hundreds of occupations. Make an impact; join DHS. Discover a challenging and rewarding career with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the sole organization responsible for securing the nation's borders. At CBP, we: Secure and enforce trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws Screen passengers, vehicles, and shipments entering our country Seize illegal narcotics, vehicles, and agricultural products and prohibited goods. Prevent unauthorized entry into the country Rescue individuals who fall into dangerous conditions traversing our border Connect with us: X: CBP, CBPHRAsstComm LinkedIn: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Instagram: CBPJobs Facebook: CBP Jobs Threads: CBPJobs