Human Resources Specialist (LER)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego, CA is seeking a qualified Labor Relations Specialist at the GS-13 level. You will advise managers on disciplinary measures and communicate agency policies to staff, ensuring adherence to procedures and standards.

Applicants must demonstrate 1 year of specialized experience, meet Time-in-Grade requirements by 10/26/2026, and comply with residency rules. A thorough background investigation is required, with CTAP/ICTAP eligibility considerations for

Qualifications

• 1 year of specialized experience at GS-13 level or equivalent.
• Advising managers on disciplinary or corrective techniques.
• Communicating agency labor relations policies to management and staff.
• Conducting analyses to identify causes of misconduct or poor performance.
• Conducting studies to respond to union interests at the bargaining table.
• Must meet Time-in-Grade requirements by 10/26/2026.
• Residency requirement: must reside in the U.S. or protectorates for at least three of the last five years.

Responsibilities

• Advising managers on disciplinary or other corrective techniques.
• Communicating agency-wide labor relations policies and procedures to management and staff.
• Conducting extensive analysis to identify underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance.
• Conducting systematic studies to respond to union interests at the bargaining table.

Job description

Organizational Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Human Resources Management, Human Resources Policy and Programs Directorate/Labor and Employee Relations Division, located in one of the following locations:

• El Paso, TX
• New York, NY
• Washington, DC
• Miramar, FL
• Seattle, WA
• San Diego, CA

Experience:

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Advising managers about appropriate disciplinary or other corrective techniques that are responsive to a range of conduct and performance problems.
• Communicating agency-wide labor relations policies and procedures to management and staff of the local organization or organizational segments serviced.
• Conducting extensive analysis to identify obscure or underlying causes of misconduct or poor performance.
• Conducting systematic studies to develop management interests and respond to union interests at the bargaining table.

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.

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 10/26/2026.

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.