Equal Employment Specialist

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to perform work that involves developing, administering, evaluating or advising on the Federal Government's internal equal employment opportunity program at a VA facility. This position is responsible for establishing, organizing, and directing an identifiable part of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) program. Informs and advises management officials and employees on basic EEO program requirements. Assists in managing the complaint program.

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Duties

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In a developmental capacity GS-9, the incumbent will be responsible for performing the full range of duties responsibilities that generally conform to those described in the GS-11 target position description. The incumbent is required to satisfactorily complete both on the-job/formal training and related instructions from the immediate supervisor. At such time as regulatory, qualifications, and time-in-grade requirements are met, and the incumbent is capable of fully and satisfactorily performing the duties at the target grade level, he/she may be non-competitively advanced to Equal Employment Specialist, GS-0260-11.

At the GS-11 level: Plans, directs, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates the local Special Emphasis Employment Programs (i.e., Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American Program, Individuals with Disabilities Program, Federal Women's Program, etc.). Analyzes workforce statistics, availability of skills in the civilian labor force, potential for upward mobility, and employment statistics to determine/establish Special Emphasis Employment Program(s) goals and objectives and identifies system-wide problems. Monitors the Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) for the assigned Special Emphasis Employment Program(s). Provides advice and guidance to organizational employees for developing, implementing and monitoring an effective AAP and EEO Program. Provides advice and assistance to supervisors in resolving problems and achieving program goals and objectives.

Assists in managing the EEO Complaints processes. Assures formal complaints are processed within established time limits and in accordance with published regulations and policies. Maintains strict impartially when working with complainants and responsible management official (RMO) Requests assignment of investigators and complaints examiners; provides them with administrative support; arranges for documenting the record and assures availability of witnesses. Helps determine acceptability of formal complaints and dismisses those that are untimely or not within purview of applicable regulations; and advises complainants of their right to appeal local determinations. Prepares complete, timely reports on pre-complaint counseling activities, the status of formal complaints, and the disposition of complaints closed for various levels of higher authority.

This position has primary responsibility for an identifiable part of the program (e.g., Federal women's program, Hispanic employment program and Disability awareness employment program, etc.). This responsibility includes accountability for performance of the assigned program, e.g., planning, organizing, directing, staffing, coordinating, reviewing and evaluating the program. This position performs the following program management duties: Develops recommendations to management on the level and mix of resources (staff, money, space and equipment) to be assigned to the program; allocates assigned resources within the program to meet program objectives; assigns, directs, and reviews the equal employment opportunity program work of collaterally assigned or subordinate employees; explains to and gains the support of the workforce for management's equal employment opportunity policies and goals; coordinates program activities with other staff offices and with line managers to achieve mutual objectives; systematic evaluation of program activities and functions to measure the degree of success of program efforts; recommends changes in program methods and approaches based on evaluation results; and periodically assesses the applicability of current local EEO program objectives and recommends changes. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule:

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/ PD003950

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Approved

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/20/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9.The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-9:

Specialized Experience: Have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as an Equal Employment Specialist. Qualifying specialized would typically include but are not limited to: Provide expert advice, consultant services and support on all matters related to the coordination of recruiting, employment, career advancement and training, and retention of employees and applicants with disabilities and assuring equal opportunity in all aspect of employment; Develop and review program guidelines, policies, procedures and training materials; Review local policies and procedures for compliance with EEO requirements; Support the EEO program to resolve complaints, training, and other services; Interpret Federal Equal Employment Opportunity statues/programs AND Federal Personnel statutes/regulations. Provide EEO training, briefings and education. Monitor and evaluate the EEO Program to ensure quality service and responsiveness to employee needs; Conduct statistical analysis and of trends regarding data maintained by the EEO Office/programs.

Education: Have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Combination: Have equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GS-11:

Specialized Experience: Possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the federal service, that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in and/or related to the position being filled. Specialized experience includes: knowledge of principles, concepts, laws, and regulations of human resources management (HRM), and EEO principles, concepts, federal EEO laws, regulations and policies to include: 29 CFR, Part 1614, MD-110, MD 715, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Sect. 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, and VHA Policies, Directives, and Executive Orders, with a high level of consultative skill that is sufficient to serve as an expert and key advisor to top agency management officials on the integration of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, knowledge of working collaboratively to develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies focused on building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and work environment, knowledge of program development and delivery methodologies and techniques to manage, identify, evaluate, recommend, and implement program strategies, knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices of program analysis, to analyze and evaluate previous, current, and projected operating programs for potential effectiveness in meeting their objectives, and skills in conflict resolution, team building, executive meeting facilitation, and group dynamics, ability to analyze problems and present both written and oral recommendations taking into full consideration a wide range of factors and requirements which affect the management of the healthcare delivery system.

Education: Possess a 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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Experience/Education Combination: I possess a combination of education and experience as described above. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

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.

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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 windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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