Summary The primary purpose of the position is to serve as the principal advisor in the area of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Employment, Civil Rights External Programs, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and Diversity Management for the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center located in Spokane, Washington. The incumbent is responsible to the Medical Center Director for program development, administration, evaluation and advisory functions. Responsibilities This is an open continuous announcement. It establishes a standing register of eligible applicants or until all positions have been filled. Positions will be filled as they become available. This position requires knowledge of Federal EEO regulations and principles, as well as personnel administration compliance and enforcement skills, administrative, management and consulting skills. Duties include, but are not limited to: Function as the EEO Program Specialist at the Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane, WA. This position is located in Spokane, WA. Coordinates, tracks, schedules, and consults with VA mediator/facilitator, Office of General Counsel, Human Resources, and management for Alternate Dispute Resolution cases and settlement discussions. Advises management on specific actions in support of affirmative action, and strategies for processing discrimination complaints. Assists the Office of Resolution Management (ORM) and Administrative Judges with investigations and hearings. Serves as the local liaison for all aspects of the facility's complaint processing program. Provides advice and assistance during the post-investigative stages i.e., hearings, appeals, and compliance phases) for each formal complaint. Serves as the technical expert for processing the following Federally conducted external complaints in accordance with agency policy. Develops an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program, which is any procedure or combination of procedures voluntarily used to resolve issues in controversy without the need to resort to litigation. Conducts studies and analyses on the utilization of minorities and women in the workplace, identifying obstacles and outlining alternative solutions to identified problems. Compiles and analyzes statistical data in order to evaluate progress of the EEO Program. Conducts analyses of the workforce by race, sex, grade, occupational series, and policies and practices affecting employment. Identifies program goals that may conflict with existing policies or practices, actions, reassignments, job training, sexual harassment, and reprisal, based on factors of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, and handicap. Responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating, reviewing, monitoring, evaluating, and updating all plans associated with the EEO Program. Conducts briefings to the facility Director and management officials making them aware of their responsibilities in relations to these plans, and to solicit their support for successful implementation. Ensure that the plans are distributed to all levels of management and is understood by managers, as well as employees. Ensures the activities of the SEP Managers and their respective committees are carried out in accordance with departmental and local policy. Serves as representative for the facility in establishing and maintaining contact with local community groups, which are interested in civil rights or equal opportunity. Establish and maintain effective relationships with, and gain the confidence and cooperation of employees, supervisors and managers on complex EEO and Affirmative Employment issues. Increase the visibility of the Minority Veteran Program within the Spokane VA Medical Center and the diverse communities we serve. Advise the Director and Executive Management when policies discourage minority Veterans from using services, benefits and programs. Develop/coordinate seminars designed to educate the medical center staff on the specific cultural issues or needs identified as problem areas by the different minority Veteran groups. Develops, maintains, and implements the requirements of all relevant facility policies, committee charters, and standard operating procedures as required for both the EEO and MVPC programs. Ensures EEO, MVPC, and Special Emphasis programs have well-developed and implemented communication plans, events, and activities. Assists minority Veterans in resolving, accessing or acquiring entitled benefits and ensure minority Veterans are afforded equal access to all services. 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: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist/PD704530 and PD704520 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/19/2026. 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 as described below: GS-09 Qualifications: 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: Knowledge of federal EEO laws, regulations and policies. Knowledge of the operating principles of the EEO Program to include the counseling process, the complaint process, the investigative process, the roles of the EEO Committee and Special Emphasis Programs, as well as all required plans and reports. Knowledge of the cause of barriers to Equal Employment opportunities and the cause and effects of discriminatory practices against protected classes of individuals. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, prepare a variety of reports, and brief supervisors, service chiefs, and management personnel concerning all aspects of the EEO Program. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED);. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and Specialized Experience directly related to the work of the position, as outlined above. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) GS-11 Qualifications: Specialized Experience: 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: Providing technical assistance to managers, supervisors, and employees regarding job performance, conduct, and behavior. Experience should be relevant to the roles of EEO Specialist and Minority Veteran Program Coordinator (MVPC); prior direct EEO Specialist experience is preferred. Experience with complex program intake, tracking, and processing, including logging cases, monitoring deadlines, preparing routine correspondence, maintaining case files, and entering data into a formal case management system. Experience handling complex issues between staff, supervisors, and leadership with skill and diplomacy. Performing data entry into government data systems and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, in a previous role. Experience gathering facts, preparing case documentation, and drafting reports and correspondence. Effectively communicating both verbally and in writing, preparing various reports, and briefing supervisors, service chiefs, and management personnel on all aspects of a program previously supported. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate education and Specialized Experience directly related to the work of the position, as outlined above. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Preferred Qualification: Experience applying EEO principles within the Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal healthcare system, including familiarity with VHA organizational structures and labor management relations. 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 Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
