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.

Duties

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. Other duties as assigned. 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: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/PD039500 and PD039360 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/21/2026. 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-07. 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: GS-09 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience for this position is defined as interpreting/applying equal employment opportunity policies/procedures; advising management on specific actions in support of EEO related activities; analyzing data to formulate reports; employing the methods and techniques typical of the program including factfinding, analysis, and resolution of complex problems; assisting with creating trainings for staff. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D., if related. This education has provided me the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. 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 the first year of graduate education. GS-11 Minimum Qualifications: 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. Specialized experience for this position is defined as assisting in the planning, development, and implementation of equal employment opportunity policies/procedures; advising management on specific actions in support of affirmative action and/or discrimination complaints; analyzing data/preparing reports concerning an EEO program; employing the methods and techniques typical of the program including factfinding, analysis, and