Job Description

Job Description and Duties

This is an exciting opportunity to join our team at the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), where we proudly serve California’s 1.6 million veterans. We advocate with purpose and passion every day for our state’s veterans and their families and connect them to their earned benefits. We offer a range of services, from our network of award-winning veterans' homes to our innovative home loans program. Additionally, we provide special statewide benefits and veteran outreach services.

CalVet provides our staff with a wide range of fulfilling and enriching growth opportunities in skilled trades, healthcare, administrative and professional fields, and beyond. We actively cultivate an inclusive atmosphere that embraces individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life journeys, empowering them to excel and flourish. We enthusiastically welcome your distinctive contributions to our organization and the meaningful work we undertake.

Under the direction of the Secretary, the Equity Officer serves as the primary resource and policy advisor within the agency for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) related matters with statewide authority and responsibility for administration of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) EEO Program; which includes but not limited to; the discrimination complaint process, sexual harassment prevention and training, religious accommodations, annual workforce analysis, Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) oversight, and the administration of the Bilingual Services Programs. 

*Pending CalHR Approval*

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Skills & Competencies:  Strong knowledge of investigative procedures and documentation standards.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.  Ability to interpret laws and apply them to workplace situations.  High level of confidentiality and ethical judgment.  Strong interpersonal skills, especially in sensitive situations.  Ability to handle conflict and facilitate difficult conversations.

Equity & Cultural Competence:  Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-bias practices.  Experience working with diverse populations and underserved communities.  Cultural competency and awareness of systemic inequities.  Ability to design and deliver training on bias, harassment, and inclusion.  Experience in creating programs and policies.

Leadership & Program Management:  Experience advising senior leadership on EEO or DEI matters.  Ability to manage programs, track metrics, and produce reports.  Experience managing and developing staff.  Strategic planning skills related to organizational equity goals.

Professional Experience:  Several years working in  EEO compliance, c ivil rights investigations, and  HR or employee relations.  Experience conducting workplace investigations (harassment, discrimination, retaliation).  Background working in public sector, higher education, or large organizations.  Experience developing and implementing equity or inclusion programs.

Benefits

The website below is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Additional benefits may also be outlined for specific bargaining units in employee collective bargaining contracts.
Please review this information prior to accepting employment.
California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - CalHR Website

The benefits of working for Veterans Affairs include easy light rail access and a beautiful short walk to the State Capitol. Additionally, numerous restaurants and coffee shops are located in the downtown area centralized around CalVet.

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please note that resumes or cover letters, do not take the place of the SOQ. Applicants who fail to submit of complete the SOQ as instructed and/or fail to submit all the required documents may be eliminated from the examination process.

The SOQ serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Include your name and JC-517856 at the top right of each page of your SOQ. Describe your experience, knowledge, and competencies as they relate to each of the items listed below. The questions must be restated and numbered in the same order as listed; do not consolidate responses. The SOQ must be no more than three (3) pages in length, typed, using 12-point Arial font on standard, letter-sized paper with one (1)-inch margins.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ or a Supplemental Questionnaire, please visit SOQ Assistance . 

1. Leadership & Strategic Vision - Describe your vision for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within a public organization. How would you align equity goals with the organization’s broader mission and strategic priorities?
2. Personnel Management - Describe your leadership and management experience. Particularly, demonstrate your experience in training, mentoring, developing and evaluating staff members.
3. EEO Compliance & Investigations - Describe your experience conducting internal investigations into possible violations of policies or allegations of discrimination, harassment, workplace violence, bullying, and retaliation. Provide an example of a particularly difficult, sensitive, or complex investigation you conducted, how you navigated it, and the general case outcome.
4. Policy Development & Program Implementation - Describe your experience developing policies or programs to improve equity and ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Include your experience analyzing and interpreting federal and state laws, rules and court decisions related to EEO.
5. Advising Executive Leadership - Describe your experience advising senior leaders on sensitive or high-risk issues. How did you balance legal compliance, organizational risk, and stakeholder concerns?
6. Training & Capacity Building - What approach do you use to design and deliver effective training on topics such as unconscious bias, harassment prevention, or inclusive leadership?

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see the “Statement of Qualifications” section below for more details.

Job Tags

Full time

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