Equal Employment Specialist

Summary The position serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist in the EEO Office and is responsible for assisting the EEO Manager in the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of the affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and off-site facilities. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: Complaint-Related Counseling, HPP Fact-Finding, and ADR Support - 45% The incumbent independently manages assigned HPP fact-finding activities within delegated authority. The incumbent receives or coordinates intake of reported harassing conduct; conducts an initial issue assessment; identifies the allegations requiring review; develops a fact-finding plan; identifies relevant witnesses, records, policies, electronic information, and other evidence; conducts neutral, structured interviews; reviews and analyzes documentary and testimonial information; develops timelines; identifies factual gaps; and prepares complete, objective fact-finding reports. The incumbent independently manages the operational progress of assigned HPP fact­finding matters, including case tracking, scheduling, documentation, records preservation, and coordination with responsible officials. The incumbent evaluates available information, identifies factual inconsistencies or additional information needed, conducts appropriate follow-up, and prepares factual findings and recommendations for management consideration. The incumbent identifies recurring themes, procedural weaknesses, and training needs and recommends preventive actions and process improvements. The incumbent independently performs complaint-related counseling and administrative fact-finding for assigned EEO matters within delegated authority. The work includes receiving and assessing concerns; identifying relevant issues, witnesses, records, policies, practices, and timelines; conducting neutral, structured interviews; reviewing and reconciling documentary and testimonial information; assessing relevance and completeness; and preparing counselor's reports, chronologies, inquiry summaries, and other required case-related products. The incumbent coordinates certified mediation and ADR activities, including mediation­-readiness materials, scheduling, participant preparation, documentation, and follow-up. The incumbent supports anti-harassment intake and triage by documenting allegations, reviewing available information, identifying immediate procedural concerns, tracking matters, and coordinating referrals as appropriate. The incumbent conducts HPP fact­finding as assigned and does not conduct formal EEO investigations reserved for ORM or other authorized investigators. Complaint-Related Counseling, HPP Fact-Finding, and ADR Support - 45% EEO Program Analysis, Barrier Analysis, and Advisory Services - 35% Establishes collaborative efforts with Human Resource Management staff to ensure efforts in recruitment, training, and career advancement of all employees is consistent with EEO goals and objectives 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: Monday to Friday 08:00 AM-4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible: As needed by department Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/PD058710 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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, 10/08/2026. 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 11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 09. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS 09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Specialized experience includes experience that demonstrates knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity laws, regulations, principles, and practices Experience conducting intake interviews and counseling employees regarding EEO complaints and discrimination concerns Assisting with or conducting preliminary investigations of discrimination complaints; reviewing and analyzing EEO case files and documentation; providing information and guidance to employees and supervisors on EEO procedures, policies, and rights Maintaining confidential case records and tracking systems; and preparing written reports, correspondence, and case summaries related to EEO matters. Serves as subject matter expert to health system employees/supervisors on all aspects of the EEO Program. Responsible in developing and implementing all plans associated with the EEO Program.. Manages and resolves conflicts, grievances, confrontations, or disagreements in a constructive manner to minimize negative personal impact. Communicates with a diverse population internal to the Department of Veteran Affairs, with other federal agencies, and the general public. Required Knowledge and Skills Candidates should possess knowledge of federal EEO statutes including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and 29 CFR Part 1614 Familiarity with alternative dispute resolution techniques; ability to interpret and apply EEO regulations and policies; and strong oral and written communication skills to interact effectively with employees, supervisors, and management officials at various organizational levels. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond (Transcript required). NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Verbiage displayed on your resume or application must contain your own words. You may refer to the competencies located within the vacancy announcement, to assist with describing work experiences; however, resumes or applications received that copied verbatim from the announcement will be evaluated and may be reviewed as falsifying your experience or application. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and involves sitting at a desk, attending meetings, conducting interviews, reviewing records, preparing written products, and using a computer. The incumbent moves throughout the facility to attend meetings, deliver training, and conduct interviews. No special physical demands are 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. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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