Equal Employment Specialist

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Spokane, Washington, United States

Job Description

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 bee