Government Information Specialist

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to current competitive status Department of Justice or CTAP eligible employees only.

GS-12 Duties:
If you are selected as a Government Information Specialist GS-12, your responsibilities would include the below duties, but would not be limited to:

• Independently apply FOIA exemptions and make disclosure determinations; Research and review issues related to complex and/or high-level sensitive FOIA matters, clarify issues, and evaluate the need for additional information or collaboration;
• Utilize information technology tools to upload and analyze responsive records; and apply redactions to material within agency records which are exempt from disclosure;
• Establish and maintain a significant network of contacts internal and external to the agency. Conduct one-on-one or group discussions with contacts as necessary to finalize FOIA responses;
• Properly handle and process sensitive and classified information in accordance with agency policies and department-wide regulations;
• Assist the AUSAs and other government attorneys in the preparation of the agency's defense in FOIA litigation, including preparing declarations and Vaughn indices, and meeting required production schedules set forth by counsel.

GS-13 Duties:
If you are selected as an Government Information Specialist, your responsibilities would include the below duties, but would not be limited to:

• Coordinating and processing FOIA and Privacy Act requests, performing work at all levels of the FOIA fulfillment process;
• Independently applying FOIA exemptions and making disclosure determinations;
• Preparing proposed responses for final submission to FOIA requesters ensuring that outgoing FOIA responses are accurate and include releasable materials;
• Researching and reviewing issues related to complex and/or high-level sensitive FOIA matters, clarifying issues, and evaluating the need for additional information or collaboration;
• Coordinating or assisting with FOIA appeals and litigation matters, including preparing declarations as needed regarding the processing of particular information requests.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must successfully pass and are subject to random drug screenings.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be subject to a probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience GS-12: To qualify at the GS-12 level you must possess one year (52 weeks) or more of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-11 level grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled and has equipped and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Participating directly in the implementation of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program with independent responsibilities for processing requests for records; AND
• Interpreting laws, regulations, polices, and guidance regarding access to records and information and apply such laws, regulations, policies, and guidance

Specialized Experience GS-13: To qualify at the GS-13 level you must possess one year (52 weeks) or more of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-12 level grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled and has equipped and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Performing duties or functions such as applying federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidance regarding access to records and information, specifically, extensive work independently processing and responding to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act; AND
• Participating in all aspects of an agency's FOIA/Privacy Act Program.

You must also meet the specialized experience listed at the GS-12 level to qualify for the GS-13.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade level (or equivalent).

Your resume and supporting documents must also clearly demonstrate that you have the experience listed to qualify for this position.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated by a panel of subject matter experts through the following assessment process:

USA Hire Assessment: Applicants will be required to complete a USAHire Assessment. This assessment is online and measures the following competencies:

• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Document Management
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Information Management
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Knowledge Management
• Learning
• Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
• Manages and Organizes Information
• Oral Communication
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence
• Writing

You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the USAHire assessment.

Resume Review: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications.

Interview: Applicants who pass the resume review may be invited to an interview with an interview panel and/or selecting official.

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, and the result of the online assessments required for this position and a review of your application by a panel of subject matter experts. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

GS:12

1. Analytical Thinking
2. Document Management
3. Information Management
4. Knowledge Management
5. Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
6. Writing

GS:13

1. Analytical Thinking
2. Manages and Organizes Information
3. Oral Communication
4. Technical Competence
5. Writing

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Resume Review:In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. A subject matter expert, or SME, is a person with bona fide expert knowledge about what it takes to successfully perform in a particular job. The SME(s) will measure potential applicants for the critical competencies. Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications, as well as any required certification(s) applicable to the position. Applicants found to meet the requirements will be eligible to move forward for additional hiring consideration

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13027977

If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for further employment consideration.

• Resume
  • Your updated resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 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, and 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.
• SF-50 documentation (if applicable)
  • Must show (most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase, or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action if you are applying as a current or former Federal Employee) you have acquired competitive status, and the highest grade or promotion potential you held. Award SF-50's are not acceptable alone as they do not show your grade and step.
• CTAP documentation (if applicable)
  • The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
• Schedule A documentation (if applicable)
  • Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes.

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