Summary

The Civil Division's Office of Records & Information is seeking a highly organized and detail oriented candidate to work on its FOIA team. The candidate conducts searches for records, determining whether records are responsive to a request, and considers the application of FOIA exemptions to information in responsive records. Engages with other offices within the Executive Branch on the application of FOIA exemptions. The ideal candidate will have strong research, analytical, and writing skills.

This job is open to

Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Military spouses

Military spouses of active duty service members or whose spouse is 100 percent disabled or died on active duty.

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Special authorities

Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to Federal employees and other eligible applicants.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities for a GS-12/13 Government Information Specialist generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-12

In consultation with the Lead or Supervisor, transmits records to other Executive Branch Agencies or Department Components for consultation on the application of FOIA and PA exemptions, and/or sends records to other Division offices, branches, or sections for concurrence on the application of FOIA and PA exemptions;
Utilizes e-discovery platforms to conduct Boolean/keyword searches within a universe of records, to review records for responsiveness, and to tag records accordingly; further, utilize related tools to mark records with appropriate redactions.
Answers questions from reviewers about the FOIA request and processing, including information about the subject matter of the request, the status of the request processing, and information regarding determinations made during the processing of the request.
Drafts correspondence communicating the Office's determination in response to FOIA and PA requests.
Researches and analyzes issues contained in responsive records, and supplies recommendations for action on the records. For example, researches the publicly available information about a particular subject, the relationships of individuals identified in the files, information regarding possible harm to privacy and/or financial interests by release of the information.
Communicates with requesters to discuss the scope of requests, applicable fees, and to seek additional information regarding the types of records sought.

GS-13

In consultation with the Lead or Supervisor, transmits records to other Executive Branch Agencies or Department Components for consultation on the application of FOIA and PA exemptions, and/or sends records to other Division offices, branches, or sections for concurrence on the application of FOIA and PA exemptions;
Independently researches and analyzes complex and unprecedented issues contained in responsive records, and supplies recommendations for action on the records. For example, researches the publicly available information about a particular subject, the relationships of individuals identified in the files, information regarding possible harm to privacy and/or financial interests by release of the information.
Drafts correspondence communicating the Office's determination in response to FOIA and PA requests.
Provides advice and guidance in response to inquiries regarding unprecedented issues related to the FOIA and PA.
Reviews and coordinates requests involving issues not covered by precedent decisions related to FOIA and/or PA disclosure.
Processes complex FOIA/PA requests for access to highly sensitive and classified records maintained by the Division. Is responsible for the processing of complex requests and those that involve the review of classified records.
Provides training and guidance, both orally and in writing, to others within the Division on FOIA and privacy matters.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a United States Citizen or National.
You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
You may be required to complete a probationary or trial period.
Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
You will not need a clearance to accept this position, but you must be able to obtain a clearance if needed.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Government Information Specialist, at GS-0306-12/13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.

To qualify for the GS-12 Government Information Specialistposition, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal service performing such duties as: processing FOIA/PA requests for access to records; conducting searches for records, determining whether records are responsive to the request; communicating with requesters, both orally and in writing; and providing guidance to staff regarding issues related to the FOIA and PA.

To qualify for the GS-13 Government Information Specialistposition, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal service performing such duties as: reviewing and coordinating FOIA requests; making recommendations regarding disclosure of material; researching and analyzing issues contained in responsive records and providing recommendations for action; researching applicable points of law and summarizing substantive information from statutes, case law, etc.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 03/20/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Education

This position does not have an educational requirement.

Additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

The bullets below outline the various groups of applicants that fall under the term "status candidates". This vacancy is open to applicants from any of the groups listed below: When you apply you'll have the chance to claim an eligibility pathway, be sure you fully read each statement and any links provided to make sure you know which eligibility you qualify for. See a full list and learn more at USAJOBS, see: What does Status Candidate mean? or Which Jobs am I Eligible to Apply for?

CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: For more information, see USAJOBS Federal Employees.
CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS (CTAP or ICTAP): For more information visit: USAJOBS Career Transition Programs
VETERANS: Please see USAJOBS Veterans Preference for more details.
MILITARY SPOUSES: Please see: Military Spouse Information
SCHEDULE A, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Learn more at USAJOBS - Individuals with Disabilities.

General Employment Information:

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): This program applies to DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to Victoria Jones at victoria.jones@usdoj.gov. Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act.

This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

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 closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible.

BASIS OF RATING: DOJ's Merit Promotion Procedures will be used to evaluate candidates.
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) and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics):

FOIA/Records Expertise
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
Technical Competence

This vacancy utilizes a multi-hurdle approach. The first assessment includes a passing score of 85 based on the minimum level of required proficiency across critical competencies. You must meet or exceed the passing score to move on to the next hurdle. Applicants who score 85 or better will receive a scenario-based assessment by email on Monday, March 23rd which must be returned within 48 hours. If the assessment is not received within 48 hours, you will be rated as ineligible. The second assessment is not scored, but you will receive a pass/fail rating. Applicants who pass the second assessment will be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Please monitor your email and check your spam folder to ensure you do not miss the email.

If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12892064.

Required Documents

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility.

Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history:

Official position title,
Employer name and contact information,
Start and end dates (including month and year),
Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

If you are a current or former Federal employee:

You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent agency form. Do not submit an award SF-50, these do not contain sufficient information about your appointment. Your SF-50 should list the full position title, series, grade and step,organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluation or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available submit a statement explaining why one is not available. Note: See USAJOBS Current & Former Employees for more information.

Due Weight for Performance:

You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, and
A list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.

If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse:

When claiming a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type.
If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating, you will need to additionally submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See Veteran Family Preference for more information.
For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.

If you are applying for consideration under the Military Spouse Appointing Authority:

Military spouses of the armed forces on active duty should visit the following site for information on required documentation: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/military-spouses

If you are a person with a disability, claiming eligibility under Schedule A:

You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation ("Proof of a disability" is a letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability).
You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see OPM's Schedule A site.

If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP:

You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency OR if you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR 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.
See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the application questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/20/2026 to receive consideration.

The application process is as follows:

Click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

Need Help?
If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help or Application Manager Online Help websites which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.

Reasonable Accommodation: To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Romaine Chase at romaine.e.chase@usdoj.gov or 202-514-4661 for assistance.

Agency contact information

Romaine Chase

Phone: 202-514-4661
Email: romaine.e.chase@usdoj.gov

Address: Civil Division
1100 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20530
US

Next steps

You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list.

If you are qualified and received a score of 85 or higher, you will receive a scenario-based assessment by email on Monday, March 23, 2026. You will have 48 hours to return the assessment. If the assessment is not received within 48 hours, you will be rated as ineligible. The second assessment is not scored, but you will receive a pass/fail rating. Applicants who pass the second assessment will be referred to the hiring manager for selection. Please monitor your email and check your spam folder to ensure you do not miss the email.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.

Government Information Specialist Job in Washington, DC