The Equal Employment Specialist (Counselor) is in the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and Inclusion, located in St. Petersburg, FL. The incumbent counsels Agency management on findings, implements corrective measures, evaluates action taken, develops and makes presentations on the complaint system and related matters to managers, supervisors, and employees to explain/clarify, and further Agency, Departmental policies, and programs.

Duties

Interpret Federal, Agency, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) laws, policies, and procedures relative to complaints of varying complexity. Monitor the disposition of complaint activity, analyzing and advising on new claims of discrimination, as well as retaliation, the complexity of cases assigned. Research EEO regulations, case laws, and policies. Identify and keep up to date on key agency policies/priorities and economic, political, and social trends which affect the organization; understands where the organization is headed and how to make a contribution. Assist in conducting interviews of personnel to gather information regarding EEO complaints. Work with employees and managers in resolving work related problems which result in EEO complaints. Counsel Agency management on findings, implements corrective measures, and evaluates action(s) taken. Develop and makes presentations on the complaint system and related matters to program managers, supervisors and employees to explain and clarify such functions, and further Agency and Departmental policies and programs. Interview issues involving allegations of equal employment opportunity (EEO) infractions. Gather evidence (documents, testimony) to create EEO case files. Conduct counseling, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques. Apply established criteria and laws, regulations, Executive Orders, court decisions, and issues related to the Federal equal employment opportunity program of sufficient breadth or intensity to perform counseling functions. Advise employees on their rights and responsibilities in the informal complaint (counseling) process. Prepare reports of counseling, including documented findings of inquiries for review by the EEO Complaints Manager. Review EEO materials and documents and determines information that is pertinent and appropriate for dissemination to EEO staff as well as supervisors and managers. Prepare technical correspondence such as responses to inquiries

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/16/2023. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's)Individual Occupational requirements and/or group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Specialized Experience: GS-07 To qualify, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as work that involves; (1) Conducting interviews with personnel regarding allegations of equal employment opportunity (EEO) infractions; (2) Preparing counselor reports for EEO complaints and; (3) Providing technical advice to managers in EEO matters. Or An applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify at the GS 7 level with an Undergraduate Degree and Superior Academic Achievement. You have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university or you possess an undergraduate degree in any field from an accredited college or university, AND you meet one of the following Superior Academic Achievement provisions: a. Ranked in the upper 1/3 of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply; OR b. Earned election to a national scholastic honor society that meets the requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies other than freshman honor societies; OR c. Earned a grade point average (GPA) of 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on all completed undergraduate courses, or all undergraduate classes completed during the final two years; or earned a GPA of 3.45 or higher on a 4.0 scale based on all completed undergraduate courses in your major, or all undergraduate courses in your major completed during the final two years. Regarding the Superior Academic Achievement provisions, if more than 10% of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) was taken on a pass/fail or similar basis, you can qualify only on the basis of your class standing or membership in an honor society. If you qualify based on your education, you must upload or fax a copy of your college transcript along with your application. If you are selected for the position, an official college transcript(s) will be required at your start date. GS-09: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the federal service. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: work that involves (1) Researching EEO regulations and laws; (2) Maintaining and monitoring EEO complaints tracking data base; (3) Developing presentations to management that enhance EEO policies; (4) Drafting professional correspondence and counselor reports. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required to qualify at the GS-09 level: 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 Applicants may combine education and specialized experience to qualify for grade GS-09. If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education AND specialized experience described above, you may still qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have. To do so, first calculate the percentage of qualifying education you have as a percentage of the education required. Next, calculate the percentage of specialized experience you have as a percentage of the experience required. Then, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% for you to qualify for the position at the GS-09 grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-09 level GS-11: To qualify, applicants 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 is defined as work that involves (1) Providing guidance to management on interpretation of policies, laws, and regulations, relating to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) investigations; (2) Maintaining records and updating an EEO complaints tracking system to ensure timely reporting; (3) Conducting interviews to gather information regarding EEO complaints; (4) Processing complaints within the regulatory time frame; (5) Drafting professional correspondence and counselor reports; (6) Utilizing various techniques to obtain and communicate information to assist in resolution of complaints. OR Applicants may substitute education for experience at grade GS-11. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or L.L.M., if related. Or applicants can combine education and specialized experience to qualify for the position. OR Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify for grade GS-11. If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education AND specialized experience described above, you may still qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have. To do so, first calculate the percentage of qualifying education you have as a percentage of the education required. Next, calculate the percentage of specialized experience you have as a percentage of the experience required. Then, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% for you to qualify for the position at the GS-11 grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-11 level. Note: 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 you document, to include volunteer experience.

Education

An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts 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: 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address DAS Office of Resolution Management 810 Vermont Ave Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: John Tipton
• Phone: 313-596-7200
• Email: [email protected]