Summary The incumbent leads the National External Policy and Compliance Team within National External Operations and Policy Programs in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Civil Rights (ACR). The incumbent is responsible for applying civil rights and equal opportunity laws, regulations and precedent decisions to eliminate illegal discrimination and to remove barriers to equal opportunity. Responsibilities As a recognized subject matter expert and consultant on Civil Rights (CR) and Equal Opportunity (EO), provides leadership for highly complex and challenging activities under minimal direction of a manager or executive. Leads team members in the accomplishment of program goals and objectives that support the FAA’s Business Plan and ACR Operational Plans. Assures full implementation of core EO regulations, principles, functions and procedures. Applies experience and expert knowledge of civil rights and equal opportunity laws, regulations, and guidance in support of programs. Precedent decisions aimed at eliminating illegal discrimination and removing barriers to equal opportunity. Analyzes and solves equal opportunity and civil rights problems through fact-finding, problem analysis, negotiation, and evaluating all aspects of the DBE/ACDBE, Title VI, EJ, LEP, ADA/504 Programs for compliance of external activities with equal opportunity laws which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, age, accessibility/disability condition or other bases specified by law. Serves as a Lead Equal Opportunity Specialist distributing and balancing the workload among employees, assuring timely accomplishment of the assigned work and delivery of quality products. Ensures that assignments, schedules, expected outcomes, and time frames for completing work assignments are accurately and effectively communicated to team members and work products and services reflect and support the organization’s mission and strategic plan. Leads change with actions and decisions that align with organizational mission, vision, functions, policies and programs, and the use of technology. Leads a team in providing overall service and support in conducting compliance reviews and assurance; processing external Civil Rights (CR) inquiries; investigating complaints, documenting findings in reports, and render decision. Provides guidance and instructions to assist the team in providing counseling, mediation, consultation, technical assistance, and conducting external CR training. Provides oversight of pre- and post-award reviews on Federal Financial Assistance Programs. Monitors the status and progress of work and makes day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, estimates, and reports on expected time of completion of work, maintains records of work accomplishments and time expended, and prepares reports as requested. Applies knowledge of FAA's policies and objectives to identify, define, and organize resources for large projects/programs/ work activities. Plans and implements complex national programs to deliver results that align ACR Business Plan and FAA's Strategic Initiatives to raise awareness of customer requirements and their accomplishment. Acquires and allocates resources to accomplish activities within established schedules and budgetary requirements. Maintains reference materials, project files, and background documents; communicates policies procedures and instructions from the supervisor. Keeps a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. Obtains needed information or decisions from the manager on problems that come up. Provides on-the-job training to new employees on the technical areas required to accomplish the work of the team, team building, and teamwork in accordance with established procedures and practices. Coaches the team in applying problem-solving methods, and techniques and advises the team on work methods. Also serves as a coach and facilitator in coordinating team initiatives and consensus building among team members. Approves leave for a few hours or emergencies. Resolves simple or informal complaints of employees and refers others to the supervisor. Provides the supervisor status reports on employee performance, progress, training needs and behavioral problems. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE IS DEFINED AS: - Experience in writing regulations and guidance in support of Federal Civil Rights Programs (*). - Experience conducting civil rights and equal opportunity compliance reviews for airport, transit, or highway projects. - Experience providing assistance and training related to civil rights and equal opportunity compliance reviews. - Experience investigating Civil Rights complaints and producing comprehensive investigative reports and/or letters of findings. - Experience in providing training and technical assistance to recipients of federal financial aid grant programs. *Applicant MUST have this required specialized experience You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered. Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; (3) alphabetical; or (4) priority grouping, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration. Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.* Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Education Education cannot be substitute for experience. Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about Core Compensation is available at:¿https://www.faa.gov/jobs/working\_here/benefits. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate. This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA