Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Equal Employment Specialist (Deputy Director)

Department of Energy
Bonneville Power Administration

Summary

This position is located with Bonneville Power Administration, in the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) (AE), Executive Office (A).

A successful candidate in the Equal Employment Specialist (Deputy Director) position will be responsible for the Equal Employment Opportunity Program that supports the agency's mission and workforce by providing leadership, technical guidance, and oversight to EEO specialists across multiple program areas.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/01/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary
$135,522 - $176,183 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Portland, OR
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
26-BPA-50464-12915818-MP
Control number
863521900

Videos

Duties

Help

As an Equal Employment Specialist (Deputy Director), you will:

  • Oversee the overall management and administration of the EEO complaints program by program planning, operational decision-making, workload prioritization, and the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and internal controls that govern complaint processing.
  • Maintain responsibility for the management of informal and formal complaints of employment discrimination.
  • Provide ongoing technical guidance to EEO specialists on complaint processing requirements, documentation standards, and case management practices, addressing deficiencies and reinforcing expectations as needed.
  • Assign and manage informal and formal complaints among EEO specialists, actively monitoring case progression, workload balance, and timeliness to ensure effective case management and sustained program performance.
  • Monitor processing timeframes, workload data, and complaint trends, identifying risks, systemic issues, or resource constraints and elevating concerns to the Director with recommended corrective actions.
  • Develop and implement EEO policy and programmatic guidance, including policies, procedures, policy statements, strategic planning materials, and related program guidance, that establish authorities, responsibilities, and operating structures aligned with MD-715 requirements and federal EEO obligations.
  • Work in conjunction with the Director on budget planning, forecasting, and allocation across program areas, including complaints, training, and related services.
  • Oversee contractor support for those who provide EEO services, including statements of work and performance monitoring, and provide informed recommendations to the Director on fundings needs, service levels, and resource alignment across the EEO program.
  • Design, deliver, and oversee implementation of EEO training and education activities, exercising judgment over content development, scope, and quality to align with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Prepare EEO data submission and reports, including the No FEAR Act Report, EEOC Form 462, and other required internal and external reports, validating work prepared by EEO specialists to ensure accuracy and consistency prior to leadership review.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answer to these questions is not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.

When you apply you will be asked a series of questions to determine your eligibility for employment and your qualification for this position specifically. You must answer all of these questions completely and truthfully.

Key Requirements:

  • You must be a United States Citizen.
  • This employer participates in the E-Verify program.
  • Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
  • You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
Conditions of Employment:
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
  • This position has been designated as requiring a PUBLIC TRUST background. A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work. Current Federal employees or other individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check.
  • EEO Counselors must receive a minimum of thirty-two hours of EEO Counselor training within 6 months of entrance to duty and at least eight hours of continuing training each fiscal year.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized Experience is defined as experience in 1) Processing informal and formal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints; 2) Overseeing the EEO informal and formal complaints program, including assigning cases, providing technical assistance to staff, and monitoring compliance with EEO regulations; 3) Leading preparation and submission of required EEO reports, including MD-715, No FEAR Act, EEOC Form 462, and presenting program findings to leadership; and 4) Designing and delivering EEO training and education materials to the workforce.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this position.

Additional information

  • This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
EEO Policy: USAJOBS Help Center | Equal employment opportunity policy
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement. USAJOBS Help Center | Reasonable accommodation policy
Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.
Veterans Information: USAJOBS Help Center - Veterans
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Telework: https://www.opm.gov/telework/
Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ - Who must register: https://www.sss.gov/faq/#who-needs-to-register

Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.

BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.

We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement closes, we will conduct a review of your application package to verify your eligibility and qualifications. If you are found qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Offices or Subject Matter Expert (SME) will review your two-page resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.

Merit Promotion & VEOA Procedures: If you are minimally qualified for this job, you will be assessed and evaluated to determine if you are a best qualified candidate. Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements and current employees must have at least a fully successful or equivalent performance rating to receive consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork

Non-competitive Procedures: If you are applying under a non-competitive or special hiring authority, you will still be required to answer the assessment questions. However, you will not be evaluated against the rating and ranking criteria.

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you are minimally qualified for this job. Veterans' Preference will be applied when required by the hiring authority (e.g., VRA, Schedule A).

All qualified non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (04/10/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12915818.

USAHire: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring official for selection consideration may be required to complete a writing sample and/or a presentation on an EEO topic as part of the selection process. If the hiring official decides to include this requirement, a designated agency representative will contact you to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Bonneville Power Administration

We are truly honored that DOE has been named America's #1 Best Employer for Veterans in 2023 by Forbes-not only among Government agencies, but among employers across the U.S. We are so proud of this ranking which reflects our commitment to the employment of veterans. As so many veterans at DOE renew their service to our Nation, we are deeply committed to their success and advancement. Veterans shape the future of energy

The Bonneville Power Administration is a nonprofit federal power marketing administration based in the Pacific Northwest. Although BPA is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it is self-funding and covers its costs by selling its products and services. BPA markets wholesale electrical power from 31 federal hydroelectric projects in the Northwest, one nonfederal nuclear plant and several small nonfederal power plants.

This position is located in Portland, OR which boasts huge spans of amazing trees, foliage, landscape, and everywhere you look you can appreciate beautiful greenery! It is known as the most bike-friendly city in America, has a train system that greets you at the airport spanning across the city, and is home to the Portland International Rose Garden, the oldest in the country! Portland is the one place where you will find lively festivals, energetic music, mouthwatering food, and for you basketball fans, the Portland Trail Blazers are a 7 minute walk from the HQs building! There is always something new to experience in this eco-friendly town!

Agency contact information

Randi Smith
Phone
971-666-2478
Email
rlsmith@bpa.gov
Address
Bonneville Power Administration
P.O. Box 3621
Portland, OR 97208
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Bonneville Power Administration, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/oYv0wfVaok4

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.