Equal Employment Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current VA Employees only.

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Compressed/Flexible:
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/PD003950/039360Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this 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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

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

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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education s described below:

Specialized Experience GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience 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.

OR

Education GS-9: You must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

OR

Combination GS-9: You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 year at the graduate level.

Specialized Experience GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience 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.

OR

Education GS-11: You must have 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.

OR

Combination GS-11: You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond 6 months at the graduate level.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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 sedentary. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Marriage Status
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

• Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
• An SF-50 showing 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
• Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
• Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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