The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. Serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist for the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Employment (EEO/AE), Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and external Civil Rights (CR) functions for a VQ Medical Center/Healthcare System within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Duties

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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. Major Duties Provides recommendations to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) /Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Program Manager on the management of the assigned organizations of the EEO Program requirements and established goals. Advises management in assigned organizations of routine requirements and of the goals established to enhance the employment opportunities of minorities and women. Assists in the direction/management of one or more special emphasis programs and the EEO/DI Advisory Committee. Provides routine advice. Develops draft policies for the EEO/D&I Program and evaluates equal employment activities and functions. Reviews new or proposed personnel policies, procedures and guidelines and makes recommendations to management on the need for changes in existing policies. Assists in reviewing new or proposed personnel policies, procedures and guidelines for impact on organizational practices. Makes recommendations and identifies conflicts or deviations from acceptable and/or current policies and practices. Analyses changes to regulations, policies, etc., for impact on EEO/D&I Programs, Plans, and implements actions, under the supervision of the EEO/D&I Program Manager, to correct deficiencies identified by reviews. Performs analysis of agency by reviewing policies and practices that inhibit the employment opportunities of minorities, women and individuals with disabilities. Accurately identifies specific barriers that exist throughout the organization. Identifies effective solutions to eliminate agency barriers and enhance the employment opportunities of minorities, women and individuals with disabilities. Provides managers and employees with information about the facility's personnel policies, procedures and guidelines as applicable. Under the supervision of the EEO/D&I Program Manager, provides management with advice on the requirements of the EEO/D&I Program. Ensures that information communicates agency policy and regulatory requirements. Ensures that assigned EEO/D&I programs meet the requirements outlined in the agency self-assessment guidance. Assists the EEO/D&I Program Manager in analyzing and evaluation the EEO/D&I Program by identifying problems or deficiencies, and typically proving workable solutions, and implementing improvement plans to meet established program goals and objectives. Assists with developing and/or monitoring proposals or plans related to the implementation of EEO/D&I Programs. Assists with monitoring progress and success of EEO projects and programs. Develops and maintains EEO related databases and reports. Secures researches, organizes and presents background briefing materials as requested and required. Assists the EEO/D&I Program Manager in directing an EEO/D&I Advisory Committee, and of the EEO Special Emphasis Program Committees or developmental projects. Keeps abreast of equal employment opportunity/diversity events occurring within and outside of the agency to anticipate the need for initiating same action. Represents the facility before Affirmative Employment, Equal Employment and Special Emphasis groups in the community. Incumbent performs other related duties as assigned. Work schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Available Position Description Title/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist (TCF)/PDS0003S

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/04/2024. 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-07. 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. 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 education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: applying conventional fact-finding, analytical and problem-solving methods. Skill in applying knowledge to perform assignments independently for which there are precedents. Makes recommendations and identifies conflicts or deviations from acceptable and/or current policies and practices. Reviews new or proposed personnel policies, procedures and guidelines and makes recommendations to management on the need for changes in existing policies. Assists in reviewing new or proposed personnel policies, procedures and guidelines for impact on organizational practices. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education. For example, an applicant with 6 months of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-09) and 1 year of successfully completed graduate education (18 semester hours), as is describe above, (50 percent of the education requirement for the GS-09) would qualify for a GS-09 position.. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Conflict ManagementCreative ThinkingCustomer ServiceIntegrity/HonestyLabor Law Preferred Experience: Skill and experience of a range of administrative laws regarding EEO and policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the EEO Program. 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, sitting in conferences and meetings, and occasional visits to organization work sites. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. No special physical exertion is required

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/.

Contacts

• Address VA Eastern Oklahoma Health Care System 1011 Honor Heights Drive Muskogee, OK 74401 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]