What are the responsibilities and job description for the Human Resources Chief- 2025 position at The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia?
Location : 633 3rd Street Washington, District of Columbia 20001
About The Job
PDS Overview :
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees. PDS provides legal representation for indigent individuals who are charged with criminal offenses in the District of Columbia and face a loss of liberty. PDS has approximately 200 employees, most of whom work at our main office located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. The PDS staff consists of approximately 235 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical employees. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in certain federal benefits plans : health and life insurance, federal retirement system, and the Thrift Savings Plan. By statute, PDS employees must be treated as federal employees for certain enumerated benefits, including Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), and workers compensation. Employees with prior tenure at federal agencies will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes.
Open Date : Feb 10, 2025 Close Date : Mar 10, 2025 Position Type : Permanent Job Vacancy # : PDS-2025-07
Division Overview :
By statute, PDS employees are treated as federal employees for certain benefits under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. As such, the Human Resources (HR) Chief must have knowledge of the applicable federal laws and regulations governing these benefit programs, including workers' compensation, CSRS and FERS retirement, life insurance, and health insurance.
While PDS operates independently, it has the authority to adopt personnel policies and procedures that align with best practices from both the public and private sectors. In consultation with the PDS Director, the HR Chief will have the opportunity to exercise broad discretion in developing and implementing personnel policies that reflect the unique nature of PDS, distinct from federal, local government, and private sector entities.
Major Duties :
PDS is seeking an HR Chief who is a trusted and reliable leader with a passion for public service, strong judgment, and a commitment to teamwork. The ideal candidate must be able to work both independently and collaboratively while upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity. The HR Chief will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, planning, management, and direction for HR operations, including :
- Recruitment and placement
- Development and implementation of strategies to recruit, place, and retain a vibrant workforce
- Position classification and management
- Employee compensation, benefits, and leave
- Performance management
- Employee relations and special programs
- Managing work with HR databases, including federal benefits software associated with specified benefits
- Promoting high standards for customer service
- Division-level budgeting
- Reviewing, developing, and implementing policies and procedures
- Staying informed on trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new HR technologies
- Leading the division during the annual audit
- Ensuring compliance with employment-related laws and regulations
- Understanding federal appropriations
The selected candidate will be an integral part of the executive management team, contributing to executive-level decisions and providing advice and recommendations on HR matters. The Chief will report directly to the PDS Deputy Director.
The HR Chief will also supervise HR staff, including hiring, development, promotions, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions. Additionally, the Chief will coordinate and integrate HR management programs into PDS's overall operations and lead efforts to innovate and improve personnel policies and procedures.
Supervisory Responsibilities :
Required Qualifications :
Educational Qualifications :
All candidates must possess the following :
Key Requirements :
1) Applicant must be a US Citizen or have current authorization to work in the United States; (2) Incumbent must have no convictions as defined in D.C. Code Sec. 14.305(b)(1) (Impeachment by evidence of conviction of crime)
Preferred Qualifications :
Application Evaluation :
Your application package includes your cover letter, resume and requested supporting documentation. Please ensure your application package includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position. Failure to provide sufficient evidence in your application package and requested supporting documents can result in a rejection of your application package.
Rating : Your application package will be rated and ranked among other applicants, based on your experience, education, training, and awards relevant to the duties of this position. Your rating can be lowered if your application package is not supported by the requested documents.
Referral : If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application package will be referred to a hiring manager for consideration at which time you may be invited to participate in a selection interview.
Interview Structure : Those who are selected for interviews will be required to interview via Web- X, Skype, or some other communications platform. Note : PDS reserves the right to interview prior to the closing date.
Number of vacancies :
Pay Series :
AD-14 / 15 (equivalent to GS-14 / 15)
Compensation :
Salary Range : $132,368 to $183,500 / year
Promotion Potential : AD-15 (equivalent to GS-15) The incumbent may be promoted without further competition upon completion of one year of exemplary performance at the AD-14 grade level; promotion is subject to approval of the PDS Director.
Benefits :
PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and employees are entitled to participate in federal benefits plans, federal retirement systems, and the workers compensation program. Transferring federal employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes (as applicable). Benefits include :
Telework : This position requires on-site presence, both in the office and in the field, as necessary to meet the demands of the role. Currently, this position is eligible for telework in accordance with the organization's policy.
Who May Apply :
This vacancy is open to US Citizens or those authorized to work in the United States.
How to Apply :
For consideration applicants must submit the required documents listed below. Failure to submit will result in an incomplete application. Please upload the required documents as one PDF attachment. Multiple transcripts should also be uploaded to one document as well.
Please send your application package in PDF documents; please combine application documents in 1 PDF file, if able. Applications MUST be mailed to PDSHRMailbox@pdsdc.org. To ensure your application receives proper consideration, the subject line of your application email MUST include the job announcement number and the position title (i.e. PDS 2025-07 : HR Chief).
All applicants’ materials become property of PDS and will not be returned.
PDS will not accept application packages by postal mail, fax, or personal delivery.
For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations which will be decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact PDSHR@pdsdc.org.
Disclaimer
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization; governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal, delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’s main office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health and life insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes. Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will.
PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.
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Salary : $132,368 - $183,500