Brian Johnson
Orlando
Summary
Dynamic Labor and Employee Relations Specialist with extensive experience at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Expert in policy interpretation and conflict resolution, I successfully navigated complex labor issues, enhancing management collaboration and employee relations. Proven leadership in negotiating collective bargaining agreements and conducting thorough investigations, driving effective outcomes in high-stakes environments.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs
Orlando
11.2020 - Current
- The primary purpose of this position is to provide advisory services in the area of labor relations and employee relations expertise across the enterprise of VBA
- The incumbent conducts comprehensive workplace investigations into allegations of misconduct including harassment, intimidation, retaliation, misuse of government property, misappropriation of funds, and improper quid pro quo.
- The incumbent is responsible for assignments which require analyzing and evaluating controversial and complex projects or cases, and conducting special assignments relative to the VA HR labor and employee relations program
- Studies, researches and provides authoritative and expert interpretation of a large number of complex statutes, regulations, guidelines and policies rendered by Congress, Office of Personal Management (OPM), and VA
- Identifies and proposes solutions to a broad range of Human Resources labor problems and issues that are characterized by their breadth, importance, and severity and for which previous studies and established techniques are frequently inadequate
- Provides interpretation of laws, executive orders, regulations, collective bargaining agreements and policies both as general guides and in response to managers when highly technical or unusual issues are involved
- Assists VBA in representing VBA management before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), VBA hearing examiners or arbitrators on complex cases
- Provides guidance, consultation, advice and assistance to management on employee and labor relations issues
- This includes, but is not limited to: grievances; Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs); collective bargaining; disciplinary action; negotiation; labor agreement administration and interpretation; And Fair Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) determinations
- Provides information to arbitrators, mediators, and FLRA as necessary
- Works with all levels of management and unions to resolve grievances
- Provides advisory services and advice and guidance to all levels of management concerning employee relations and labor management and corrective actions, including counseling, disciplinary actions, and adverse actions
- Assists in, advises, and/or conducts Fact-Findings and/or Administrative Investigations as part of an Administrative Investigation Board (AIB)
- Participates in negotiating mid-term labor management agreements; and provides management officials with views and recommendations on management positions and negotiating techniques
- Represents and/or advises VBA management in assigned components in transacting local agreements with the union
Attorney Advisor
Social Security Administration
Orlando
08.2015 - 11.2020
- The incumbent serves as an Attorney Adviser to a pool of Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) rendering advice and assistance in pre hearing development and preparation of cases for hearing, post-hearing development, post hearing actions, decision drafting
- Analyze, research and develop cases, formulate comprehensive decisions and, otherwise, act on requests for hearings held under Titles II, XI, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act
- The Legal issues related to the cases assigned pertain to issues related highly complex provisions of the Social Security Act, implementing regulations, related Federal and State laws; the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and precedential Social Security Rulings, court decisions, etc
- The position involves research into unusual issues related to matters of State law (e.g., intestate succession, family law, and workers' compensation) for SSA cases or Federal law on matters relating to other, closely related Federal programs
Presidential Management Fellow
Social Security Administration
Baltimore
08.2014 - 08.2015
- Presidential Management Fellows are selected annually each year from the highest qualified recent graduates with advanced degrees by OPM after leadership, personality, judgment and achievement testing
- Selected Fellows exhibit integrity, leadership, quality judgment, organizational skills, communication skills, reliability, perseverance, decisiveness, initiative, professionalism, the ability to function independently and as part of a team and interpersonal relationship skills
- The incumbent is responsible for investigating Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) conduct and performance, including investigating and recommending actions with respect to alleged ALJ misconduct
- Formulates, develops, communicates, documents, and oversees field practices and procedures governing ALJ conduct, performance, and alleged public misconduct complaints in coordination with the Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of Labor Management & Employee Relations; advises management regarding issues and concerns relating to employee relations and labor relations; and conducts administrative investigations of allegations of hostile work environment and other sensitive matters
- Skill in written and oral communications sufficient to develop or deliver briefings, project papers, and correspondence expressing and presenting ideas and legal findings, recommendations, and other information clearly, concisely and effectively
Investigator
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
Orlando
05.2011 - 08.2014
- Morgan & Morgan is the largest plaintiff's personal injury firm in America
- The incumbent interviewed the clients, document, and investigate their claims
- Ensure completion and collection of appropriate forms, police reports, and relevant insurance contracts
- Photographed accident scenes and document a cursory reconstruction of the accident for attorney review
- Draft investigatory reports for attorneys to help better assess the merits of the case
- The investigator requires extensive knowledge and experience with Florida's personal injury laws and regulations
Summer Legal Intern
United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Annapolis Junction
05.2013 - 08.2013
- Company Overview: This is a federal job
- I participated in the Department of Justice's highly competitive Summer Legal Intern Program (Pathways Program) for the Federal Bureau of Prisons
- I was assigned to the BOP General Counsel's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
- I assisted BOP attorneys defend against inmate's civil right Bivens claims where inmates claim staff have violated their constitutional rights
- I also helped defend the Bureau in Federal Tort Claims Act cases
- I researched relevant legal issues and drafted memoranda to senior BOP leadership
- I drafted substantive motions in cases that were filed in federal district court
- I drafted successful motions to dismiss and responses to petitions for habeas corpus under the supervision of licensed BOP attorneys
- I also collaborated with staff at headquarters after the Supreme Court's landmark Windsor decision on same-sex marriage to identify affected BOP policies and suggested remedies to bring the Bureau in line with the new ruling
- This work required working knowledge of legal research principles as well as extensive knowledge of legal research software including Westlaw and LexisNexis
- In addition, the work required the legal analysis of complex laws and regulations relating to inmate civil rights, habeas corpus, and the Federal Tort Claims Act
- This is a federal job
- Supervisor: Zachary Kelton, Deputy Regional Counsel (301-317-3113)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Information Systems Technician
United States Navy
FPO
06.2005 - 09.2009
- Member of a team of six IT professionals that managed the USS Dubuque's classified and unclassified Windows computer networks
- TS/SCI security clearance
- Helped identify and troubleshoot everyday user issues and maintained the network backup system
- Familiarity with Windows NT network management, user accounts, and Microsoft Exchange Server
- Mastery level competence with the Microsoft suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Documented ongoing network problems and advised the Chief Operations Officer about possible remedies
- Completed a nine-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Awards: Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, National Call to Service, and Sea Service medals
Education
Juris Doctor - Law
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL, United States05.2014
Bachelor's degree - Legal Studies
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL, United States05.2011
Skills
- Employee relations
- Labor relations
- Policy interpretation
- Investigative techniques
- Collective bargaining
- Conflict resolution
- Legal research
- Communication skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Problem-solving
- Performance management
- Leadership Management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Management collaboration
- Labor market analysis
- Decision making
- Strategic planning
- Mediation techniques
- HR software proficiency
- Legal compliance
Availability
Permanent, Temporary, Presidential Management Fellows, Recent graduates, Telework, Full-time, Part-time
Job Related Training
- United States Navy, Information Systems Technician 'A' School, 2005
- Florida Certified Public Notary
- Federal Employment Law Training Group (Washington, D.C.), Workplace Investigations Week, 10/06/14 - 10/10/14, Employee Relations Week, 10/20/14 - 10/24/14, New MSPB Developments: Selecting a Defensible Penalty, 10/29/14, Unacceptable Performance Removals: Accountability is Easy if You Know What to Do, 12/18/14
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
Department of Veterans Affairs
11.2020 - Current
Attorney Advisor
Social Security Administration
08.2015 - 11.2020
Presidential Management Fellow
Social Security Administration
08.2014 - 08.2015
Summer Legal Intern
United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons
05.2013 - 08.2013
Investigator
Morgan & Morgan, P.A.
05.2011 - 08.2014
Information Systems Technician
United States Navy
06.2005 - 09.2009
Juris Doctor - Law
Florida State University
Bachelor's degree - Legal Studies
University of Central Florida
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