Government Information Specialist (GS-9/12)

Summary

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

Duties

This position is in located in the Information Law and Disclosure Division (ILD), Office of Counsel (OC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The OIG has statutory oversight responsibility for the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight responsibility includes conducting and reporting on audits, inspections, investigations, and special inquiries for all overseas and domestic organizational entities of the Department, as well as all Department employees, contractors, and grantees. The range of legal duties include: Assisting in administering the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy ACT (PA), ensuring each request follows the appropriate process. Responding to matters that require sensitivity to competing public and private interests and policies. Researching FOIA/Privacy Act laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures. Conduct initial review for decisions on fees/fee waivers and expedited review request. Recommend new initiatives or policy procedure changes to address existing or potential problems pertaining to OIG and DHS FOIA administration.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications GS-09: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Maintains legally sufficient electronic FOIA databases and hard copy files of all disclosure request documents. Researches and provides explanation for responses to requests by individuals seeking amendments to their records in accordance with the Privacy Act. Assists in preparation of final appellate determinations, soundly based on established law and policy, upholding, remanding, or overturning initial determinations. OR Education: Successful completion of a master's degree (or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education) if related, from an accredited college or university. Such education must be directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed one year of graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Minimum Qualifications GS-11: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates responsive records to determine whether they may be released in full, released with redactions, or withheld in full, consistent with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) statutes, regulations, and applicable guidance. Prepares legally sufficient acknowledgment, time-extension, interim, and final determination letters in accordance with FOIA requirements and established procedures. Researches and responds to routine inquiries regarding the release or withholding of information, applying relevant FOIA/PA provisions and agency guidance. OR Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university. Such education must be directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Minimum Qualifications GS-12: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Develops and maintains legally sufficient electronic FOIA databases and systems of records notices to be published in the Federal Register. Researches and evaluates requests for disclosure of information submitted by individuals and public- and private-sector entities, applying relevant FOIA, Privacy Act, and disclosure requirements. Redacts materials determined to be withholdable under the FOIA consistent with applicable exemptions and prepares responses for the signature. 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. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, a subject matter expert review of your resume, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Following the review of your resume by our panel of subject matter experts, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must be 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement. (Note: Veteran's preference does not apply under Merit Promotion procedures.) View VEOA information on Feds Hire Vets. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this announcement.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: 1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. 2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. 3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification. 5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements 6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account. To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Other information

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.