Equal Employment Specialist

Summary

The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Specialist for the EEO/Affirmative Employment (EEO/AE), Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and external Civil Rights (CR) functions for the New York Harbor Healthcare System (NYHHS) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

This position is an Open Continuous Announcement. It will remain open until the designated close date or until a selection is made.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/01/2024 to 08/01/2024

• Salary

$70,448 - $110,803 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9 - 11

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Brooklyn, NY

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position. May be expected to travel between New York Harbor Healthcare campuses (Brooklyn, Manhattan or Queens)

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

11

• Job family (Series)

0260 Equal Employment Opportunity

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTE-12372697-24-MTP

• Control number

789184800

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This job is open to

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

• Individuals with disabilities

• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

The primary Area Of Consideration is current, permanent VA (VHA, VBA and NCA) employees. The second area of consideration is all other current, permanent Federal Employees Third area of consideration is all other status candidates

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Duties

The EEO Specialist assists the EEO/D&I Manager in planning, development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of the Affirmative Employment and EEO Programs in the organization.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as an EEO/D&I Specialist responsible for providing a wide range of administrative and technical support while performing a variety of duties to ensure that all EEO/D&I Program activities are administered and implemented to the organization's leadership, staff and employees

• Develops and presents training programs and provides advice regarding the broad range of EEO/D&I and Affirmative Employment issues impacting the organization

• Develops and maintains appropriate statistical data regarding the discrimination complaint process, responds to routine inquiries from complainants and responding management officials and assists with preparing various reports;

• Conducts analysis of trends regarding demographic data and maintains appropriate contact with officials (from the Office of Resolution Management, managers and supervisors and the Office of Regional Counsel) pertaining to the EEO discrimination complaint process and other related EEO/D&I Program matters

• Reviews EEO/D&I policies and guidance and updates as needed

• Provides broad program support and administrative responsibilities such as coordinating and planning the logistics for meetings, training and performing all other related duties associated with the EEO/D&I Program

• Reviews and implements projects that impact the operations of the organization, determines program effectiveness through periodic assessment

• Prepares correspondence for the signature of senior level officials. Reviews and drafts correspondence and reports as required

• Designs, implements and facilitates EEO/D&I and related training. Provides support to the EEO/D&I Program Manager;

• Provides advisory services to all levels of management regarding the requirements and implications of the office services provided

• Provides advice to managers and supervisors on how provided services can assist in accomplishing their mission and programs

• Assists with the management of the Special Emphasis Programs

• Drafts Equal Employment Opportunity Program Status Report, Federal Equal Opportunity Recruitment Program (FEORP) Report, Disabled Veterans Affirmative Action Plan (DVAAP) Report and other EEO reports as required

• Incumbent 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 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/PD49789-A and PD49790-A

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

• 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)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/01/2024.

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.

Note: A non-award 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:

For GS-9 position, you must have:

Specialized Experience: 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: Knowledge of the principles, concepts, legal requirements, and methodology of the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program and skill in applying this knowledge to perform assignments independently for which there are precedents. Practical knowledge and skill in interpreting, explaining and applying a body of laws, regulations and procedures. Skill in applying conventional fact-finding, analytical and problem-solving methods. Knowledge of the common policies, practices and operations of the Federal personnel system, the structure and function of Federal agencies including the Veterans Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Knowledge and skill to analyze facts identify problems, report findings, make conclusions and recommendations of corrective action or other appropriate action. Knowledge and skill to deal effectively with people in various settings (meetings, committees, panels, mediations, etc.) and to identify and make recommendations for programs or solutions to problems.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level 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: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

For the GS-11 position, you must have:

Specialized Experience: 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: Comprehensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, executive orders, court decisions and issues related to the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Diversity and Inclusion Program such as Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964 and skills to interpret and apply this knowledge to a variety of difficult and complex work assignments. Thorough knowledge of and skill in applying the operating principles, methods and techniques of the EEO/D&I Program to include the fact-finding, analysis, counseling, discrimination complaint and investigative processes, the roles of the EEO/D&I Committee and Special Emphasis Programs, as well as all required plans and reports. Comprehensive knowledge of VHA's organization, administrative and operating program missions, goals, objectives and regulations, sufficient to serve as an expert analyst on program implementation and advisor to top management officials. Knowledge of basic principles involved in recruitment, selection, labor relations, job evaluation, and other Human Resources specialties. Knowledge sufficient to identify barriers to Equal Employment opportunities, the cause and effects of discriminatory practices against protected classes of individuals and the ability to establish objectives to eliminate systemic program deficiencies; Able to routinely access data from federal databases, research, retrieve, update, analyze and maintain EEO case documents and information independently. Extensive knowledge of MS Excel, MS TEAMs, MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Must be familiar in researching and developing presentations as well as conducting trainings/presentations virtually and in-person.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. 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.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

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

• Analytical Thinking

• Information Management

• Legal, Government and Jurisprudence

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 regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, sitting in conferences and meetings, and occasional visits to facility work sites

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/.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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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 window

Learn 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.