Affirmative Employment Specialist (GG-14)

Summary

This position is located in Office of Small Business and Civil Rights. The supervisor is Melissa Ralph. This position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is not subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform the full range of duties related to the Affirmative Employment Program. Such duties include but are not limited to: Assists with planning, coordination, implementation, and tracking of agency AE program activities and projects (e.g., Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Minority Serving Institution Program (MSIP), and Limited English Proficiency (LEP), while helping ensure agency policy and practices appropriately adhere to and appropriately address federally mandated requirements. Assists in the development of program initiatives, plans and strategies. Anticipates, recognizes, and resolves complex EEO workplace issues as they relate to policies, principles, and processes. Works with AE Program Manager to prioritize, plan, schedule, and manage AE assigned projects, including identifying and resolving problems, directing the efforts needed to reach programmatic objectives and successfully complete projects in a timely manner. Completes special assignments or projects as directed by the Program Manager, Deputy Director, or Director. Provides input to the Program Manager and other management officials on the status of protected groups at the NRC. Assists the Program Manager in performing internal agency outreach and oversight to ensure coordination, continuity, and conformity of EEO strategy execution in accordance with NRC's Strategic Plan goals and objectives, NRC directives, MSIP, MD-715, MD-110, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Office of Personnel Management, Department of Justice, and other federal oversight agencies mandates, directives, and compliance requirements. Assists with, and/or conducts EEO related training, presentations, workshops, seminars, forums, lunch-n-learns, and other information sharing events and activities (e.g., EEO panel discussions, All-Hands meetings, etc.). Performs quantitative and qualitative data analysis using statistical program data from various systems to perform assessments against established metrics (e.g., Affirmative Action data, EEO data, trends, culture indicators, etc.) to identify progress and make informed recommendations for continued programmatic improvement. Provides written and verbal advice and assistance to NRC offices, management, leadership, employees, and other stakeholders on a broad range of matters related to the mission and execution of NRC's EEO policies and programs. Conducts pre/post-civil rights compliance reviews for NRC conducted and financially assisted programs and activities to ensure compliance with Federal and civil rights laws. Makes referrals for mediation and investigation of compliance-related matters, as warranted, to ensure non-discrimination of stakeholders and beneficiaries under NRC conducted and financially assisted program and activities. Develops and disburse applicable forms and materials used to assist beneficiaries in preparing reports and other required documents. Provides authoritative technical assistance and guidance to aid involuntary compliance with civil rights statues and NRC regulations.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: designing, leading, evaluating, and managing comprehensive Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative employment programs, interpreting Federal EEO laws and management directives (such as Title VII, the Rehabilitation Act, and ADEA), conducting workforce data and barrier analyses, authoring or implementing MD-715 reports and affirmative action plans, providing authoritative technical advice to management on regulatory compliance, and leading stakeholder engagement, training, or targeted recruitment initiatives. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There are no education requirements for this position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. We encourage applicants to submit a resume that directly relates to this position. You will be assessed 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 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.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/27/2026 to receive consideration. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

Other information

This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency. Selectees will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service. The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing. A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: 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 RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA 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, based on your adjudication decision. 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 RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information) Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission.