Equal Employment Specialist

Summary

This position is in the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Office of the Director, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. This office is responsible for ensuring that Bureau actions comply with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other relevant anti-discrimination laws and regulations. Incumbent serves as the Bureau's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EEO Specialist.

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Duties

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The major duties of the Equal Employment Specialist position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages the informal EEO complaint process for standard and complex cases, including conducting intake, counseling, and framing claim(s).
• Assists in organizing investigative materials, coordinating document requests, and ensuring files are complete for review.
• Provides administrative and program support, including maintaining records, supporting training activities, and conducting basic EEO research.
• Performs fact-finding activities, including interviews and evidence review, and ensures case files meet regulatory requirements.
• Conducts EEO counseling by explaining rights, responsibilities, ADR options, and procedural requirements to aggrieved individuals.

Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

The requirements listed below must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Key Requirements:

1. Must be U.S. Citizen or National
2. Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
3. May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
4. Pass drug screening and subject to random drug test.
5. Suitable for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
6. You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
7. Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

MOBILITY PLAN: New employees hired pursuant to this vacancy announcement must sign a mobility agreement. The purpose of ATF's mobility policy is to enhance career development and progression, and achieve mission and business effectiveness. To accomplish these objectives, the mobility plan will facilitate the movement of employees through special short-term assignments or permanent reassignments throughout the Bureau. Applicants who decline to sign a mobility agreement, as required, will be removed from the hiring process. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Equal Employment Specialist position at the GS-9 level, you must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Minimum Qualifications

GS-09

To qualify for this position at the GS-09 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience is demonstrated experience, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position. Experience must be in the normal line of progression or must be related to the work of the position advertised and must be reflected in resume.

Specialized experience must include all of the following:

• Conducting fact-finding and processing informal and formal EEO complaints by applying Federal EEO laws and regulations (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, 29 C.F.R. Part 1614) to specific factual situations AND
• Conducting intake activities, gathering facts, explaining EEO rights and procedures, and preparing draft counseling summaries or case documentation. AND
• Maintaining EEO case files and tracking systems (e.g., ETK, iComplaints, FedSep) to monitor case status and regulatory deadlines. AND
• Providing administrative training, or program support for EEO operations.

OR

Completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the requirements of the position.

GS-11

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience must include all of the following:

• Managing independently informal EEO complaints by applying Federal EEO laws, regulations, and guidance (e.g., 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, EEOC MD-110). AND
• Conducting EEO counseling, intake interviews, claim analysis, and preparing counseling reports and supporting documentation. AND
• Drafting acceptance/dismissal letters, coordinating investigations, and reviewing Reports of Investigation (ROI) for compliance. AND
• Advising management officials and employees on EEO policies, complaint procedures, and rights.

OR

Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or at least 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related to the requirements of the position.

GS-12

To qualify for this position at the GS-12 grade level, candidates must also have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized experience must include all of the following:

• Managing Independently complex EEO complaints through the informal and formal compliant process by applying advanced knowledge of Federal EEO laws, regulations, and guidance (e.g., 29 C.F.R. Part 1614, EEOC MD-110).
• Conducting complex intake and counseling activities, analyzing allegations, gathering and evaluating evidence and determining appropriate claim processing.
• Processing complex formal complaints by drafting acceptance/dismissal decisions, reviewing investigative files and Reports of Investigation (ROI), and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Providing technical guidance and training to employees and managers on EEO processes and handling cases involving multiple or complex issues.

Quality Ranking Factor (Preferred):

Applicants who possess an EEO Counselor Certificate are encouraged to submit documentation with their application package. This qualification is preferred and may be considered during the evaluation of application materials but is not required for eligibility.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (07/27/2026) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations from ATF's Human Resources Operations Division. Please click on the following link to read important information. DOJ Notice to Prospective Employees of Ethical Obligations

Career Transition Programs ( CTAP or ICTAP ): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
2. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.

EEO Statement/Policy : The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation: ATF provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the job application and hiring process, and you meet the eligibility requirements listed above, please notify the human resources specialist listed on the vacancy announcement, or contact the ATF's Workforce Wellness and Services Division at View phone number on click.appcast.io or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service : If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found 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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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.