Job Opportunity - AFSA Grievance Counselor

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), the professional association and labor union for the United States Foreign Service, seeks a Grievance Counselor to work within the AFSA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) located at 2201 C St NW Washington DC 20520. The position will report to the Senior Attorney Advisor.

Applications will be accepted through August 21. The start date will be as soon as possible.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annualized salary of $80,000 - $90,000 across 26 pay periods depending on experience.
• Ability to telework up to 3 days a week once onboarding has been fully completed. Office.
• Full-time employees have access to a health care and retirement benefits package.
  • Subsidized Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Disability (short and long), Life, and AD&D Insurance paid in full by AFSA.
  • 401(k) and/or Roth 401(k) with up to 5% matching
  • Paid Sick, Vacation, and Parental leave.

The Organization

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), created in 1924, is the professional association for the U.S. Foreign Service. AFSA’s 17,000+ members include active and retired Foreign Service officers and specialists at the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM).

AFSA is also a labor union serving as the exclusive representative of members of the Foreign Service. AFSA negotiates with the management of the principal U.S. Government foreign affairs agencies on personnel policies and procedures affecting members’ conditions of employment and represents members in grievance proceedings, administrative investigations, and disciplinary proceedings. For more information about AFSA, please go to www.AFSA.org.

The Position and Its Principal Responsibilities

AFSA is seeking a highly motivated self-starter to serve in a full-time position as a Grievance Counselor. This individual would directly engage with and assist dues-paying members of AFSA with grievances, administrative investigations, and disciplinary proceedings. Knowledge of the policies and personnel system for agencies, particularly the U.S. Agency for International Development, is highly desirable.

Specific duties include:

• Pre-Grievance and Grievance Counseling: Discuss, counsel, and advise Foreign Service employees on options and available avenues of relief pursuant to the Foreign Service Act of 1980, the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), USAID Automated Directive Service (ADS), and other laws and agency-specific regulations. Grievance topics range from concerns over the annual employee evaluation report, denial of tenure, low ranking, disciplinary actions to potential separation from the service.
• Grievance Assistance: Assist members throughout the grievance process from preparation and filing of the initial grievance for Agency review and decision to a potential appeal before the Foreign Service Grievance Board (FSGB). Assistance would include, but is not limited to, drafting and responding to discovery, drafting motions, and engaging in settlement negotiations.
• Administrative Investigations: Accompany and advise members at administrative inquiries and investigations conducted by the Office of Civil Rights or law enforcement agents from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security or the Office of Inspector General.
• Disciplinary Proceedings: Advise and assist members through the administrative disciplinary process. This process involves written and oral responses before senior management officials at the respective foreign affairs agencies.
• Research: Research regulations, laws, and prior relevant cases. Stay up to speed on new decisions issued by the FSGB and other relevant bodies that affect AFSA’s members. Stay up to speed on updates to relevant regulations and laws.
• Member Inquiries: Answer member inquiries on various employment-related matters that may not rise to the level of a grievance.
• Other responsibilities within OGC as needed.

Required Skills, Education, and Characteristics

• College degree
• The ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance (SF 86P).
• Well-versed with Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to proactively handle multiple competing priorities and demands.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• High-level organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of and practical implementation of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility principles

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of U.S. Agency for International Development policies and personnel system.
• Prior professional experience in the U.S. Federal Government.
• Experience with or in-depth knowledge of the U.S. Foreign Service.
• Prior professional experience serving overseas at U.S. Embassies and/or Consulates.
• Familiarity with the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and the Foreign Affairs Manual.

To Apply

Please email a detailed cover letter, a writing sample, and your resume to jobs@afsa.org, subject line “Grievance Counselor Position.” The deadline is Aug 21, 2024.