Special Emphasis Program Specialist - Office of the Secretary

Summary This vacancy is for a Special Emphasis Program Specialist in the Office of the Secretary within the Department of Commerce. Responsibilities As a Special Emphasis Program Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Provides regulations, guidance and data and (including best practices) on EEO issues and matters that affect the employment. Participates in the barrier analysis process by assisting the Affirmative Employment Program Manager (AEPM) with workforce analysis to identify barriers affecting assigned groups and proposing recommendations to enhance employment opportunities. Assists the Affirmative Employment Program Manager (AFEP) with workforce analysis and identifies barriers facing assigned groups. Coordinates Special Emphasis Program (SEP) and Employee Resource Group (ERG) meetings/ activities/procedures/policies. Coordinates, and executes programs, training, and special observance events, working closely with Employee Resource/Special Emphasis Groups and other bureaus. This includes identifying themes for events, coordinating guest speakers, and ensuring that activities align with established policies. Tracks metrics, programs, and events for the OCR. Prepares reports that outline the effectiveness of these programs and recommending improvements. Offers information on EEO employment-related issues and assists in drafting guidance while responding to inquiries regarding SEPs. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Special Emphasis Program Specialist GS-0301-12/13 (FPL:13) positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience. This position is also advertised under OS-OCR-DE-25-12599867, which is open to Delegated Examining eligible applicants. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs. A probationary or trial period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Drug Test: No License required: No Pre-employment physical required: No Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will not be paid Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band. Qualifications Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ To qualify at the GS-12 level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service; or its non-Federal equivalent which includes: Coordinating special observance events, programs and/or training for affinity groups. Knowledge of equal employment opportunity (EEO) federal laws, regulations, and/or issues pertaining to EEO or affinity groups. Gathering, evaluating, and reporting data and information, pertaining to EEO or affinity groups. To qualify at the GS-13 level: Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service; or its non-Federal equivalent which includes: Overseeing special observance events, programs and/or training for EEO or affinity groups. Expert knowledge of equal employment opportunity EEO laws, regulations, and/or issues pertaining to EEO or affinity groups. Preparing reports, briefings and/or presentations regarding SEPs, EEO and/or affinity groups. 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; 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. Education There is no positive education requirement for this position. Additional Information The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA) Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) 30% or more disabled veterans Persons with disabilities Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Military Spouse Non-Competitive Hiring Authority ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice). A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents: A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement; A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc; A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential. Military Spouse The spouse of a member of the armed forces seeking eligibility under the non-competitive hiring authority of certain military spouse MUST submit various required documentation by the closing date of the announcement in accordance with one of the three below eligibilities: 1.) Spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty, 2.) Spouse of service member who incurred a 100% disability, or 3.) Un-remarried widow or widower of a service member killed while performing active duty. Please review the "Required Documents" Section for specific documents pertaining to each of the above eligibilities that MUST be included with your application, if you are applying as a Military Spouse. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.