Equal Employment Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The Equal Employment Specialist serves in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and off-site facilities. The position assists the EEO Manager with planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the EEO program. This is a nonsupervisory role reporting to the EEO Program Manager, applying federal EEO laws, regulations, directives, and VA/VHA procedures to difficult workplace issues. The incumbent independently manages assigned harassment prevention program (HPP) fact-finding within delegated authority, including intake and assessment of reported conduct, identifying allegations and evidence, conducting neutral interviews, reviewing records, preparing factual reports, tracking cases, and recommending process improvements. The incumbent also conducts complaint-related counseling and administrative fact-finding for assigned EEO matters, prepares case-related reports and summaries, and coordinates certified mediation and alternative dispute resolution activities. The position supports anti-harassment intake and triage. It does not conduct formal EEO investigations reserved for ORM or other authorized investigators. The position also performs EEO program analysis, barrier analysis, and advisory services. It collaborates with Human Resource Management staff to help ensure recruitment, training, and career advancement efforts align with EEO goals and objectives. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; flexible or compressed scheduling may be available as needed by the department. Telework may be authorized, with eligibility discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
For applicants subject to the federal time-in-grade requirement, 52 weeks at GS-9 for a GS-11 position.
One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9, including knowledge of EEO laws, regulations, principles, and practices; EEO complaint intake and counseling; preliminary complaint fact-finding; reviewing EEO case files; advising employees and supervisors on EEO procedures, policies, and rights; maintaining confidential case records and tracking systems; and preparing written reports and case summaries.
Knowledge of federal EEO statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and 29 CFR Part 1614.
Familiarity with alternative dispute resolution techniques and ability to interpret and apply EEO regulations and policies.
Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with employees, supervisors, and management officials at various organizational levels.
Alternatively, a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M. may substitute for experience.
A combination of qualifying specialized experience and education beyond the stated requirements may also qualify.
Complete the required application steps, questionnaire, and online assessment.
Meet applicable background/security investigation and pre-employment requirements, including drug testing for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions.
Register for Selective Service if applicable.
Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
Submit transcripts if qualifying based in whole or in part on education.

Responsibilities

Assist the EEO Manager with planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the EEO program.
Independently manage assigned HPP fact-finding activities within delegated authority, including intake, issue assessment, evidence identification, interviews, analysis, reports, case tracking, scheduling, documentation, and coordination.
Prepare factual findings and recommendations for management consideration, identify factual gaps or inconsistencies, and conduct appropriate follow-up.
Identify recurring themes, procedural weaknesses, and training needs, and recommend preventive actions and process improvements.
Perform complaint-related counseling and administrative fact-finding for assigned EEO matters, including assessing concerns, interviewing relevant parties, reviewing evidence, and preparing counselor's reports, chronologies, inquiry summaries, and other case products.
Coordinate certified mediation and alternative dispute resolution activities, including readiness materials, scheduling, participant preparation, documentation, and follow-up.
Support anti-harassment intake and triage by documenting allegations, reviewing information, identifying procedural concerns, tracking matters, and coordinating referrals as appropriate.
Conduct EEO program analysis, barrier analysis, and advisory services.
Collaborate with Human Resource Management staff to align recruitment, training, and career advancement efforts with EEO goals and objectives.