Eeo Counselor/Investigator - Full Performance/Senior Level

WE ARE THE NRO

For sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet.

Learn more at

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• You must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance
• You must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must be 18 years of age or older
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic polygraph examinations
• You will be subject to pre-employment and periodic drug testing

Where You Will Work :

The Office of Equality & Inclusion (OE&I) programs embody Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) consistent with Executive Order 14035. OE&I's Inclusion Program serves the NRO and strives to promote an inclusive environment for all personnel, to ensure that all are valued and treated equitably. OE&I maintains an efficient, fair, and impartial complaint resolution process in accordance with 29 C.F.R. 1614 and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Management Directive (MD) 110, designed to proactively identify and prevent discrimination. OE&I evaluates NRO policies and practices to ensure compliance with the federal government's mandate to be a model employer, as described in the EEOC's MD 715. OE&I also maintains the NRO's anti-harassment program, designed to remedy workplace situations before they develop into illegal discrimination and/or harassment. OE&I also is charged with ensuring that the NRO workplace is accessible and that individuals with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations to perform their jobs.

On behalf of the Chief, Equal Employment Opportunity Program within the Office of Equality & Inclusion OE&I), the incumbent is responsible for assisting the Chief in the integration of EEO policies and principles into the vision and mission of the NRO.

OE&I is seeking a high-performing, self-motivated EEO Counselor/Investigator with a passion for strategic and creative thinking, mission execution, and for advancing NRO's status as a model EEO employer.

The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes for consideration against current and future opportunities for Full/Senior Performance (GG-13/GG-14), Mission Support, and occupational series 0340. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click

Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match.

This is a full-time position that is open from July 19th, 2023 to August 2nd, 2023. Resumes must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on August 2nd, 2023.

Who May Apply

• Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.
• This position is open to the public.
• The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally.
• Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step.

What You Will Be Doing

• Maintains independent authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) counseling and the investigation of EEO complaints of discrimination in personnel matters. Serves as spokesperson for and on matters pertaining to EEO policy, practice, process and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with internal and external public sector community resources and makes referrals to appropriate components or individuals such as the NRO Ombuds and Employee Assistance Program.
• Counselor/Investigators provide consultative services to senior NRO officers regarding organizational trends and issues, counsel and brief management at all levels on EEO related and workplace issues, and develop and facilitate customized EEO training programs.
• In close coordination and consultation with the Chief, the incumbent provides senior consulting services to corporate managers and employees on a broad range of EEO discrimination and/or harassment related issues relevant to staffing and selection, performance management and evaluation, employee development, and adverse action.
• For investigations, the Counselor/Investigator collects and discovers all necessary factual information, analyzes all issues of a formal EEO complaint, and prepares a detailed, well-written Report of Investigation organized in a way that will enable both the Chief, EEO Program and the Director of OE&I, administrative judges at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the complainant and his or her representative, and NRO attorneys to determine whether or not discrimination has occurred.
• Receives reviews and responds to EEO reporting directives regarding recurring and one-time reports from the OE & I Director, EEOC, or EEO Compliance & Review Agency.
• EEO Counselor/Investigators are responsible for providing the full range of counselor and investigator duties in the research and investigation of complex EEO discrimination cases, including interviewing employees, conducting critical analysis of information collected, and providing advice and guidance to all levels of personnel in an effort to resolve problematic issues at the lowest level before a formal complaint is filed.
• EEO Counselors/Investigators perform ad hoc duties related to the OE&I mission. These duties will include the following: conducting numerous formal briefings to various NRO audiences about EEO laws and the EEO administrative process; conducting internal EEO-related harassment inquiries; developing EEO training materials and delivering training; and working with NRO and other Intelligence Community management to anticipate and address EEO-related issues.
• Adherence to strict regulatory deadlines is an essential function of the job, as work must be performed within prescribed timelines.
• Manages all stages of the employee complaint process to include counseling, investigation and adjudication process. Ensures program compliance with EEOC, DoD, and Federal EEO laws and regulations. Evaluates complaints process to determine effectiveness, trends and to identify problem areas, requiring intervention into management practices.
• For counseling, the Counselor/Investigator works with complainants and management to seek informal resolution of disputes within prescribed timelines. This frequently requires conducting an informal inquiry and developing creative resolution strategies. Counselors prepare well-written and sufficiently detailed reports to demonstrate that required counseling actions have been taken
• Must be able to successfully counsel and interview individuals who believe they have been the subject of harassment or discrimination based on Title VII, GINA, and NRO regulations, because of protected categories of race, color, religion, age (40+), sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or reprisal for past involvement in the EEO process or reprisal in opposition to a discriminatory practice.
• Incumbents communicate policies supportive of the OE&I's vision, goals, and objectives, encouraging open and honest communication. They incorporate adaptive management techniques into a culture of knowledge sharing, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Serves as liaison between the NRO and IC promoting equal employment opportunities. Attends meetings and conferences at various DOD, CIA, IC Elements, EEOC, OPM, and other community organizations to promote EEO. For D/OE&I, prepares or reviews draft final agency decisions on complaints of discrimination and drafts orders of corrective measures as warranted, to include the recommendation for appropriate disciplinary action.

What You Need

• Significant experience serving in the capacity of an EEO Counselor and Investigator, or conducting similar relevant work, e.g. Inspector General or Security Investigations, Career Counseling, Mediation/Facilitation, Conflict Resolution, Ombudsman, Inquiry Officer, etc.
• Exceptional ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work while remaining flexible and adaptable in a dynamic environment with competing demands.
• Willingness and ability to work and travel to various WMA locations, on an as needed basis. Willingness and ability to travel to the field on an as needed basis. Skill to plan, organize and direct team study work/special projects and to influence management to support and implement recommendations.
• Knowledge of the principles and theories of strategic planning, program assessment, business management and processes aligned organization models.
• Model ability to work independently and lead others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with senior officials from a broad array of activities, including federal and local government agencies, Congressional staff, and private industry.
• Ability to develop creative and resourceful recommendations/solutions to complex issues and problems using varied data sources.
• Considerable problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills, best demonstrated when identifying the causes behind workplace issues and developing options for resolving them
• Personal and professional discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality and neutrality of the most sensitive personnel, organizational, and individual information, without exception. This includes protecting people's privacy and upholding the strictest form of confidentiality regarding complaint data.
• Substantive interpersonal skills, to include empathy and sensitivity, and the ability to interact effectively and confidently with employees at all levels.
• Rounded ability to work effectively as a team member, applying the differences in roles and the dynamics of reaching consensus.
• Proficiency with MS Office program applications.
• Knowledge of Federal EEO laws, regulations, polices, and practices as well as a good understanding of EEO MD-110 and MD-715.
• Advanced writing skills sufficient to develop complex case information/reports/ correspondence, senior level briefings, and in seeking additional information from all involved parties.
• Must have the ability to work well under pressure and adjust priorities without close supervision.
• Excellent counseling and negotiation skills sufficient to reach complaint resolution to the extent possible and successfully solicit/transfer information from multifaceted data sources.
• Advanced organizational skills sufficient to plan and execute within established timelines each phase of the EEO process through the pre-complaint to formal complaint processes, to include complex investigations using an investigative plan and the models of proof required to establish a firm investigative foundation.
• Excellent briefing and oral communication skills sufficient to facilitate discussion of issues with customers, interview or elicit information from hostile witnesses, and make presentations to varied audiences.
• Partnership skills to be able to form strengthen and manage relationships and work effectively with both technical experts and senior government officials.
• Exceptional analytical as well as written and verbal communication skills, proficiency in time management and meeting deadlines, the ability to manage a diverse and challenging caseload, and the flexibility to work both independently and as a team member
• Knowledge and ability to develop detailed plans, tasks, milestone dates and schedules to ensure proper sequencing of events and tracking of processes and costs throughout the life cycle of the programs/projects.
• Demonstrated thorough knowledge of Federal laws and EEO policies, procedures, and regulations (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act, and other and federal civil rights laws) and an understanding of the organizational structure and responsibilities of NRO directorates, components, and offices.
• Ability to identify and analyze both individual and systemic issues and concerns.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience conducting EEO-related training and/or trainer certification.
• Team Lead on inter/intra-agency projects.
• Experience with the EEOC Form 462 and MD 715 report creation/writing.
• Minimum of three consecutive years of experience serving as an EEO Counselor and EEO Investigator in a senior level assignment (or position), with not less than 6 months in either position.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution experience and/or mediation certification.
• Diversity and inclusion training and/or certification.
• Survey development and assessment.

Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.

Other Information

• Emergency Essential: Certain positions MAY be deemed emergency essential and incumbents must be willing to meet all position requirements.
• Overtime Statement: MAY be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Geographic Mobility Agreement: MAY be subject to directed reassignment as required to address mission effectiveness, and/or career development.
• Financial Disclosure: MAY be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• Information Assurance (IA): Must achieve the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment.
• Travel Statement: MAY be required to travel in military or commercial aircraft to perform temporary duty assignments.

Location

Chantilly, VA

Salary

2023 Salary range for the Washington, DC area:

GG-14: $132,368 - $172,075

GG-13: $112,015 - $145,617

• This position is a Full Performance/Senior Level DCIPS position. The NRO is accepting applications from U.S. Citizens and current federal government employees for this position. To qualify for the position, federal government employees MUST currently be at the GG-13 or GG-14 level and may ONLY apply for a lateral reassignment at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade per IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006.

Hiring Incentives

The NRO may offer hiring incentives and other entitlements at management’s discretion.

Trial Period

All new

Veterans’ Preference

DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans’ Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Vol 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are a veteran claiming veterans’ preference, as defined by section 2108 of Title 5 USC, you must submit documents verifying your eligibility upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.
• An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.
• An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send your request to

Privacy Act Notice

Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): We use this information to determine qualifications for employment. This is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

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