Equal Employment Specialist (Counselor)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/27/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. See the Required Document section below for more information regarding the SF-50s needed to verify time-in-grade. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education s described below: GS-09 Minimum Qualifications: 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: Conducting interviews with personnel regarding allegations of EEO infractions; Preparing clear and concise written correspondence of EEO counselor reports; Utilizing internal software systems to create EEO inquires or EEO cases. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first year (18 semester hours). GS-11 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You 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. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Conducting in-depth interviews with personnel to gather and analyze information related to allegations of discrimination; Advising management and aggrieved parties on rights, responsibilities, and complaint processing procedures under EEOC laws and agency policies; Providing technical advice to office personnel regarding EEO complaint processes. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's degree or equivalent graduate education. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Analytical Thinking Written Communication Technical Competence 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. Physical Requirements: The work is essentially sedentary and may involve frequent travel. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/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 found well qualified for the GS-09, applicants must demonstrate the following: Progressively responsible experience conducting interviews with employees or supervisors to gather facts on EEO concerns; Preparing clear and well-organized counselor reports in accordance with established procedures; Providing accurate technical guidance on basic EEO laws and policy requirements; and Applying sound judgment, communicate effectively, and handle sensitive matters with discretion reflects a level of proficiency above the minimum qualifications. To be found well qualified for the GS-11, applicants must demonstrate the following: Extensive experience and technical knowledge in conducting detailed interviews with employees and management officials regarding allegations of EEO infractions; Preparing comprehensive, timely, and compliant counselor reports that clearly document facts, claims and findings; Providing accurate, authoritative technical guidance to staff and leadership on EEO laws, policies, and procedures; and Independently analyze complex situations, communicate effectively, and facilitate resolution reflects advanced proficiency beyond the minimum qualification level. 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/.

Provide information on the federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint process. Record pertinent complaint information in the complaints tracking database for regular reporting. Prepare counselor reports for EEO complaints. Process complaints within the regulatory time frame according to policy. Gather documents to facilitate the resolution of EEO complaints. Provide technical advice to office personnel regarding EEO policy. 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: Full-time, flexible schedule available between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily. Compressed/Flexible: Available. Telework: Available. Position Description/PD#: Equal Employment Specialist / PD41019-A and PD41018-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Location Negotiable: Selected applicants will be required to report in person to their nearest VA facility or an ORM District office that has suitable space available.