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Equal Opportunity Investigator

Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA)

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Administration, headquartered in Washington, DC.

This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with HHS-ASA-MP-26-12961638. Please review this announcement to see if you are eligible for consideration under merit promotion procedures.

This announcement will close at 11:59 PM, on the day that 150 applications have been received or the closing date of the announcement, whichever comes first.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/07/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 7, 2026
This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Location
FEW vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$90,968 - $158,322 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Promotion potential
13 - Contingent - Promotion potential will be based on the position to which appointed.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
HHS-ASA-DE-26-12961637
Control number
870930000

Duties

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WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As an Equal Opportunity Investigator, you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by:

  • Drafting comprehensive investigative reports; researching and drafting memoranda, affidavits, and interrogatories
  • Independently planning and conducting complex EEO or civil rights investigations involving disputed facts, large data sets, and sensitive issues, using systematic analysis and investigative strategies.
  • Applying diverse investigative techniques, including interviewing witnesses, collecting and reviewing records, drafting affidavits/interrogatories, and developing evidence to support findings and recommendations.
  • Interpreting and applying federal EEO or civil rights laws, regulations, and case law (including EEOC decisions) to analyze allegations, determine claims, and guide the investigative process.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
  • Suitable for federal employment
  • Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
  • Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required.
  • Probationary (or trial) period may be required.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one-year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

GS-12:

  • Applying knowledge of investigative techniques including interviewing witnesses, drafting questions and document requests, and writing reports.
  • Managing investigations involving federal discrimination complaints in accordance with federal timelines and regulatory requirements under EEO or civil rights laws.
  • Applying EEO or civil rights complaint processing procedures.
  • Communicating with various audiences regarding anti-discrimination or EEO matters.
GS-13:
  • Preparing narrative reports, letters and other written materials.
  • Conducting projects to investigate complex problems through systematic fact-finding, analysis, and consulting efforts.
  • Applying a wide range of investigative methods (e.g., drafting affidavits, interviewing witnesses, requesting documents) to obtain evidence related to federal discrimination complaints; reviewing records and communications relating to allegations under investigation; drafting reports of findings, conclusions and recommendations for further investigation, as appropriate.
  • Applying in-depth knowledge of EEO or civil rights case law and regulations.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc.

Bargaining Unit Position: No

Research position: No

Drug Screening Required: No

Applicants selected for this position will be subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing upon hiring.

In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.

Veterans' Preference - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible see http://opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85.0 or above on the rating criteria for this position.

Reemployment Priority List (RPL): To receive selection priority for this position, individuals on the RPL must meet the qualification requirements, complete all required assessments and be rated as qualified. RPL candidates are ranked using Category Rating procedures.

Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

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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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments.

Resume Requirement
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Minimum Qualification Question
As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement.

Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process

USA Hire Technical Assessment
You are required to complete a USA Hire technical assessment to evaluate the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.

HR Resume Review
Human Resource (HR) Specialists will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required Specialized Experience.

Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the assessments, to be considered for this position.

Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories:
  • Best Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is almost identical to those required by the position.
  • Well Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is very similar to those required by the position.
  • Qualified - Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements, but do not identify any additional qualifying experience or skill.
Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
    • Attention to Detail
    • Customer Service
    • Customer Service
    • Decision Making
    • Flexibility
    • Flexibility
    • Influencing/Negotiating
    • Integrity/Honesty
    • Integrity/Honesty
    • Interpersonal Skills
    • Learning
    • Reasoning
    • Self-Management
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Teamwork
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12961637

Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American! At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere. It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

Agency contact information

SROC Help Desk
Email
SROCHelpDesk@hhs.gov
Address
Assistant Secretary for Administration
200 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20201
US

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