This position is located in US Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. The incumbent serves as program evaluator and technical advisor for the agency, monitors, reviews and evaluates Equal Opportunity (EO) compliance in assisted areas and provides technical assistance as necessary, requiring expert knowledge in the field of equal opportunity, interpretation of Executive Orders, laws, and regulations, etc.

Duties

Requires knowledge of cases in the field of equal opportunity, interpretation of Executive Orders, laws, regulations, etc. Advises management and other specialists in all aspects of case preparation. Prepares guidelines detailing the approach, issues, and strategies involved in program fact-finding for an investigation. Assists in determining when evidence is sufficient and agency positions and case files are complete and works with Departmental Office of Civil Rights to process a case of adjudication. Makes recommendations for strategies when preparing reports for the Department of Justice and other departments and uses skill in developing methods or procedures when handling cases involving large quantities of disputed data. Prepares reports summarizing national program activities and accomplishments for compliance with equal opportunity laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Determines appropriate methods of data collection and appropriate formats to present agency accomplishments Duties are at the full performance GS-13 level, duties at the GS-09, GS-11, and GS-12 levels are developmental.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• If selected, you may be required to serve a probationary or trial period as applicable to appointment type.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Specialized Experience: GS-09: A.One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Equal Employment Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience that includes 1) Participating as a member of a team to support the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints processing program; (2) Updating the EEO database system with required data and documentation for assigned caseload; and (3) Preparing correspondence for hearings, final agency decisions and appeals. OR B. Completion of Masters or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree, if related. (Must submit transcripts). OR C. Combination of education and experience as described above. (Must submit transcripts). GS-11: A.One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Equal Employment Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience that includes (1) Participating as a member of a team to support the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints processing program; (2) Updating the EEO database system with required data and documentation for assigned caseload; (3) Preparing correspondence for hearings, final agency decisions and appeals; and (4) Assist with providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) counseling to employees and applicants. OR B. Completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher- level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. (Must submit transcripts). OR C. Combination of education and experience as described above. (Must submit transcripts). GS-12: A.One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Equal Employment Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience that includes (1) Assist with providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) counseling to employees and applicants, (2) Advising on the informal and formal discrimination complaint process; (3) Conduct fact-finding inquiries with supervisors, managers, witnesses, and other agency personnel; and (4) Assist with preparing correspondence for hearings, final agency decisions and appeals; and (5) Maintaining knowledge of legal theories of discrimination and analytical frameworks. GS-13: A.One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as a Equal Employment Specialist. For this position, the specialized experience that includes equivalent that includes (1) Providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) counseling to employees and applicants, (2) Advising on the informal and formal discrimination complaint process; (3) Conduct fact-finding inquiries with supervisors, managers, witnesses, and other agency personnel; and (4) Preparing correspondence for hearings, final agency decisions and appeals; and (5) Maintaining knowledge of legal theories of discrimination and analytical frameworks. 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; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Graduate education may be substituted for specialized experience as noted above.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Gayle Veney
• Email: [email protected]