Human Resources Specialist (Performance Management)

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia seeks a Human Resources Specialist (Performance Management) to support performance management policy, guidance, and interventions.

The role emphasizes advisory support to managers, development of performance improvement plans, and management of performance appraisal processes. The position requires meeting OPM qualifications, passing background checks, and a probationary period as applicable, with some telework allowed per agency policy.

Qualifications

• Must meet the United States OPM qualification requirements for the advertised position.
• Specialized experience must be equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Transcript required: transcript must be submitted for education consideration.

Responsibilities

• Provide advisory support to supervisors and managers on case development, documentation, and application of performance management policies.
• Develop, review and advise on performance improvement plans.
• Advise managers on performance appraisal plans and related processes.
• Research policies, directives, and Federal regulations relevant to performance management.

Skills

Advisory support

Performance management

Case development

Documentation

Education

Ph.D./3 years grad education

Job description

Summary

Are you looking to join an agency that celebrates, supports and thrives on building the bridge that ensures intellectual property (IP) rights are accessible to everyone? Our Human Resources Specialists play a vital role in supporting the agency's mission by contributing to strengthening and recognizing the workforce that serves the IP community.

Duties

The physical worksite for this position is located in Alexandria, Virginia. Presence at the Alexandria, VA campus is required for this role, as it includes on site functions that must be performed in person. Position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy/business unit discretion. The agency currently allows for 52 hours of telework per calendar year.

This is your next ideal career move as a Human Resources Specialist (Performance Management) if:

• You are eager to provide advice in the areas of performance management.
• You are eager to provide guidance on performance improvement plans.
• You have a keen eye to develop, review and provide advice to managers on performance appraisal plans.
• You are motivated to provide key consultative performance management advice and services to managers, supervisors and employees involving the full spectrum of Human Resources policies, programs, processes and procedures.
• You are eager to develop, review and research policies, directives, and Federal regulations.
• You use tact, diplomacy and patience when communicating with external and internal customers.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related competencies.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You are required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• You must be suitable for Federal Employment.
• You must meet time-in-grade/band requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. OPM Qualifications Standards are available at OPM Qualifications Standards for Administrative and Management Positions.
Specialized Experienceis experience that has equipped applicants with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the federal service.
For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-09. Specialized experience for this GS-11 position includes:

• Experience providing advisory support to supervisors and managers on case development, documentation, and appropriate application of performance management policy and procedures; and
• Experience analyzing complex performance issues and preparing proposal and decision letters for formal performance actions in accordance with established policies, procedures, and precedents.

For this position, the next lower grade level is a GS-11.

Specialized experience for this GS-12 position includes:

• Experience conducting administrative research and independent analysis on complex and sensitive performance issues, reviewing relevant records and applicable precedents to support management recommendations and decision-making; and
• Experience providing authoritative advisory services to supervisors and managers on complex and sensitive performance cases, including case development, documentation sufficiency, and the interpretation and application of performance management policies, procedures, and precedents; and
• Experience identifying unprecedented, complex and sensitive issues; and developing proposal and decision letters on formal performance actions.

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.

Education

Education at the GS-11 grade level:
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Applicants may substitute the following education for the required experience, provided it demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to do the work of the position:
GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: If you do not qualify based on experience or education alone, you may be able to qualify based on a combination of your experience and education. For more information on combining education and experience, visit the following website: General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Transcript required: If you don't submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you're qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name and educational institution.
GS-12: Education may not be substituted for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Additional information

Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information. This is a Non-bargaining Unit position. This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of "Moderate". Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you will be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), which includes a fingerprint and credit check, to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a "well qualified" rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: OPM CTAP/ICTAP. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued. All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.