Assistant Human Resources Officer (Senior Strategic Business Partner)

VISN 8 is recruiting for an Assistant Human Resources Officer (AHRO), Senior Strategic Business Partner (SSBP) at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Assistant Human Resources Officer, SSBP, serves as a key advisor and partner to leadership on a wide range of human resources programs and initiatives. Assists in planning, directing, and evaluating HR operations (e.g., recruitment and staffing, employee and labor relations, performance management). Duties consist of but not limited to the following: Apply a wide range of advanced HR principles, concepts, and practices, as well as seasoned consultative skills sufficient to provide management consultative service involving the full spectrum of HR functions (e.g., recruitment and placement, position classification, employee performance and conduct issues, employee and labor relations, education and training, benefits, etc.). Render expert advisory service and/or authoritative policy interpretations on highly complex VISN-wide or equivalent issues (e.g., re-engineering and improving HR processes). Provide administrative and policy direction in terms of broadly defined missions or functions of the organization; is responsible for a significant program; defines the objectives; analyzes and interprets policies promulgated by senior authorities and determines the overall effect on programs; and independently plans, designs, and reviews the work of employees. Assign work to staff and provides technical and policy direction to their efforts; reviews completed work of the staff and provides feedback to encourage top performance to enhance an atmosphere of teamwork in the office. Evaluate the work performance of subordinate staff members and recommends appropriate awards to enhance effective performance or acts to deal with inadequate performance, through counseling, training, coaching and other means; effects minor disciplinary measures, i.e., warnings and reprimands, etc.; and resolves staff complaints concerning working conditions and related matters, and provides referral services, if necessary, to employees who develop personal problems that interfere with effective performance or undermine work group cohesiveness. Develop appropriate interventions for management on significant HR issues and concerns; applies new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods; collaborates with and leads management in employing change management process concepts and techniques such as strategic planning and workforce development; and develops strategic goals for change (e.g., conduct organizational needs assessments, determine organizational readiness for change, market organizational awareness, and lead change initiatives). Conduct survey focus groups, group facilitation, and other techniques and methods necessary for organizational assessment and change; leads special projects or studies of considerable scope and depth critical to the resolution of operating issues and problems; and interprets complex legislative, regulatory, and policy guidance to prepare study recommendations for management. Create and present new insights and innovative approaches in making or supporting organizational improvements tailoring HR programs and services to support the organization and improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Apply consensus building, negotiating, coalition building, and conflict resolution techniques sufficient to establish and maintain effective relationships and to interact appropriately in highly charged emotional situations for the purpose of influencing managers or other officials to accept and implement findings and recommendations for justifying and resolving matters involving significant or controversial issues. Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, to develop and deliver briefings, project papers, status/staff reports, and correspondence in order to foster understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations and, present, explain, and defend controversial policies and to persuade facility program managers and other decision-making officials with widely differing goals and interests to follow a recommended course of action consistent with established policies, objectives, and regulations. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm Telework: This position may be authorized for ad-hoc telework. Ad-hoc telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Assistant Human Resources Officer (Senior Strategic Business Partner)/PD99991S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required