Government Information Specialist

Help Help

Duties

Incumbent Typical Work Assignments May Include The Following

• Interprets and applies laws, regulations, policies, and guidance to provide access to Federal agency records and information, while ensuring protected information is appropriately disclosed.
• Provides advice to DoD FOIA programs, offices and personnel.
• Develops and implements DoD FOIA policies and procedures concerning the administration of programs required by the FOIA for public access to DoD information.
• Prepares and analyzes reports; responses to queries, justifications, and background papers on areas of expertise and assignment. Researches and determines or recommends appropriate actions or interpretation of issues impacting the organization.
  
  

Help Help

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment
• Required to participate in the direct deposit program
• This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing
• This position is subject to the DoD Priority Placement Program
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartment Information security clearance.
• This position may require work to be performed outside normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and / or holidays and / or overtime.
• This position may require occasional travel away from the normal duty station for official business.
• Relocation incentive may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Recruitment Incentive may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Student Loan Repayment Incentive may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Superior Qualifications may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Advanced Leave Accrual may be authorized in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• This position is eligible for Remote Telework Work and Salary will be based on the employee's duty location locality where the duties will be performed.
  
  

Qualifications

For qualifications determinations, it is recommended that applicants include their months and hours worked per week for each employment listed on their resume. If a determination is not able to be made about the length of your creditable experience for qualification requirements, you will be removed from consideration.

Read more about what should I include in my federal resume? at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

You may qualify at the GS-13 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement:

One Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To The GS-12 Grade Level In The Federal Service (experience May Have Been Gained In The Private Sector) That Demonstrates Your Ability With

1) Making determinations about disclosures, issuance of denials, redactions, access to Federal agency records and use and dissemination of personally identifiable information; 2) Collecting, analyzing and reporting FOIA data and prepares the Annual FOIA report to the Department of Justice; 3) Providing advice on the exercise of discretionary judgment on FOIA procedural issues such as fee category determinations, fee waivers, and the granting of expedited processing; 4) Developing, implementing, and communicating FOIA policies and procedures; 5) Interpreting civil law and FOIA litigation precedents in reviewing and analyzing appeals from denials of access to records requested under FOIA.

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; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act Chapter 21 of Title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 2108a, requires Federal agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible, when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a "certification" of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible. A "certification" letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1). The "certification" must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission. The "certification" must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable). Further, under paragraph (h) of the rule, agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid "certification" of service with their initial application will be found "not eligible." Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement/separation if member is on terminal leave.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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. Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and,
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  
  

All qualifications, education, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement and clearly documented in your resume.

Effective 5/25/2022, we will use the resume's employment dates and grade information in conjunction with the provided SF-50 at the lower grade level to give credit for time in grade requirements. We will confirm time in grade at the job offer stage if needed. At a minimum, you are still required to provide an SF-50 at the lower grade level for promotion eligibility consideration when applying for a promotion for GS-positions.

Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.

Education

Education Cannot Be Substituted For Experience.

Additional information

Other priority consideration programs will continue under their current operating procedures.

A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. http://www.esd.whs.mil/DD/DoD-Issuances/140025/

Nepotism: Under the provisions of 5 USC 3110, an individual may not be appointed into a position if the position is under the supervisory chain of command of a relative.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.6.

Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.7.

Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist

Read more

• Help Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  
  

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your responses to the assessment questionnaire. The assessment questionnaire link can be found under the 'How To Apply' section.

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Freedom of Information and Privacy Act
• Oral Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Writing
  
  

Appointment Authorities: For more information on appointment authority eligibility requirements:

• https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/
• https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
• https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses/
• Other Special Appointment Authorities https://www.usajobs.gov/
• Interchange Agreements https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=Types-of-Appointments
  
  

Help Help

Required Documents

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO DOCUMENT IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE EVIDENCE THAT SUPPORTS YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION CLAIMS. You MUST upload the applicable documents with your application package. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

• Your resume may be submitted in any format that includes your name and contact information (telephone number and/or email).
  
  

If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you will not be considered for this vacancy.

Are you applying for a promotion? If you are a current or former Federal Civilian employee and applying for a higher grade than the grade that you currently or formerly held within the last 52 weeks, it is recommended you provide SF-50(s) that show you have held the next lower grade for at least one year. Some SF-50s effective within the last 52 weeks will not demonstrate you have held the next lower grade for at least one year (e.g. General Adjustment SF-50 from this year). In many cases, you are required to provide two (2) SF-50s to determine you meet the one-year time-in-grade requirement and eligibility for promotion.

Examples of appropriate SF-50s include: Appointment or Promotion SF-50 AND another SF-50 with an effective date on or after one year from the appointment or promotion at the same grade level; Within-Grade Increase (WGI) SF-50s showing regular step increase received for the same grade, etc.

It is still recommended you provide a Within-Grade Increase (WGI) SF-50 or multiple SF-50's at least one year apart at the lower grade level for time in grade confirmation with your application. ARE YOU A VETERAN CLAIMING SOLE SURVIVORSHIP PREFERENCE OR 5-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?

• Other supporting documents:
• Cover Letter, optional
• Most recent SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" showing you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade held. It is recommended you provide a SF-50 within the last 52 weeks before the closing date of this JOA for current federal employees. Effective 5/25/2022, WHS HRD will use the resume in conjunction with the provided SF-50 to confirm Current Federal Employee eligibility. We will complete confirmation of Current Federal Employee eligibility at the job offer phase if needed. It is still required that you submit at least one SF-50 with your application and confirm you are a current federal employee via your employment dates on your resume for current federal employee eligibility determinations.
• College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
• Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
• You must provide legible copy/copies of the following: DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, type of discharge as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) or Statement of Service/Proof of Service (in lieu of a DD-214) from your command or local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD). The Statement of Service/Proof of Service must provide all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). Veterans should upload their DD-214 once they receive it upon separation.
• You should also document your complete military service information in the Veterans Preference and Military Service Section of the assessment questionnaire (type of preference, dates of service, date of VA letter, character of service, disability claim and rank and date of retirement if retired).
  
  

ARE YOU A DISABLED VETERAN or CLAIMING 10-POINT VETERANS' PREFERENCE?

• Disabled veterans, veterans, widows, spouses or the mother of a veteran, who are eligible for 10-point veterans' preference, you must provide legible copies of the following: Applicable supporting documents as noted on Standard Form-15 (SF-15). To obtain a copy of SF-15, go to: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/