Government Information Specialist (FOIA) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. MP-25-040-SP Department U.S. International Trade Commission
Salary $101,401.00 to $156,755.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/28/2025 Close Date 9/8/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

An independent Federal agency, the U.S. International Commission provides the President and Congress with high quality analysis and technical support on international trade, tariff and competitiveness issues; hears and decides import injury cases and publishes the United States' tariff schedule. You will find a working environment throughout the Commission that is dedicated to the development of your technical skills and a commitment to provide balance between your work and personal life.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Current federal civilian employees in the competitive service on permanent career or career-conditional appointments; Preference Eligible Veterans; Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; Current federal employees eligible under Interchange Agreements; and Applicants eligible under special hiring authorities (Schedule A, etc.)

Duties

The Hearings and Information Division (H&I) is one of two divisions in the Office of the Secretary. The H&I Division implements the Commission's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program. The H&I Division maintains the official records, publications, forms, and official documents of the Commission, and is also the principal point of contact for the public concerning hearings. HID staff arrange, prepare, schedule, and manage all public hearings and administers oaths.

  • Serves as the Office of the Secretary's Government Information Specialist responsible for reviewing, analyzing, interpreting, and responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and Privacy Act (PA) requests. Serves as the initial point of contact for agency personnel to resolve technical questions relating to the FOIA/PA requests. Coordinates with program offices. Negotiates with requesters to simplify (narrow scope) or reformulate requests.
  • Conducts initial review and redactions to responsive documents, providing supportive decisions for proposed redactions. Estimates fees and acts on requests for expedited handling. Processes requests for publication of USITC publications, reviewing and completing the print requisition form. Transmits print requisitions and publications for printing and posting on Commission website, ensuring 508 compliance.
  • Maintains and manages USITC publications listing on website for accuracy. Uses electronic means for posting of such USITC Publications to the public website. Coordinates with agency staff, the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, and the Secretary to resolve problems and obtain advice and guidance on difficult issues. Coordinates with agency staff, the Assistant General Counsel for Administration, and the Secretary to resolve problems and obtain advice and guidance on difficult issues. Collaborates on record management projects.
  • Provides guidance and advice within the organization concerning administrative policies and management and organizational theories related to the FOIA program that may require considerable adaptation and/or interpretation for application to internal program issues and problems, or where decisions about how to proceed are complicated by conflicting program goals and objectives.
  • Assists leadership in executing strategic projects by developing project schedules, establishing project cost estimates, and creating project plans. Presents findings and recommendations on complex issues or problems impacting well-established programs, projects of limited scope, or facets of larger, complex projects and programs.
  • Provides centralized support to the Secretary and General Counsel in administration of the Administrative Protective Order Breach (APOB) process. Maintains tracking logs and internal files. Compiles information for the annual Summary of Commission Practice. Tracks sanctions, identifies information for expungement, and prepares expungement letters.
  • Assists in the development of reports, memoranda, or other documents as needed by the Secretary. Retrieves, manipulates, and extracts information for reports. Enters and maintains investigative data in the Commission's Investigative Data System (IDS) concerning Commission determinations and actions.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
  • You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
  • You are required to register for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/03/59.
  • You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
  • This position is included in the bargaining unit, AFGE Local 2211.

Qualifications

You must meet all the requirements below by the closing date of the announcement and they must be clearly identified in your application, resume, or supporting documents. This includes any general and specialized experience, education, and/or selective placement factors mentioned. These are used to determine if you possess the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to successfully perform in this position.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level obtained in the public or private sector, that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. For this position, specialized experience is defined as performing assignments, projects, or studies that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully: 1) coordinate the processing of and responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests; 2) draft outgoing responses related to FOIA; 3) identify appropriate FOIA exemptions and redactions; and 4) prepare reports, or other documents related to FOIA and other work assignments.

To qualify at the GS-13 level, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level obtained in the public or private sector, that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. Applicant must have the ability to perform with minimal oversight: 1) coordinating the processing of and responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests; 2) drafting outgoing responses; 3) preparing reports, or other documents related to work assignments; 4) expertise in identifying appropriate FOIA exemptions and redactions; and 5) providing advice to team members on work methods, practices and procedures related to FOIA requests.

Specialized experience is experience at or equivalent to which is directly related to the position which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position to include experience implementing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) policies and procedures to manage Government information and providing information-related assistance and services.

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.

Additional information

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a one-year probationary period (competitive service) or a two-year trial period (excepted service) during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Surplus or Displaced Federal Employees: The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs are available to federal employees that qualify. Those eligible for these programs are granted special priority selection rights. To be considered, you must be deemed well-qualified by receiving a score of 85 or higher. If you are a federal employee claiming CTAP/ICTAP, you must provide the documents listed under the Required Documents section to verify your eligibility. Also, you must indicate in your application that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible. For additional information regarding CTAP/ICTAP, please visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you are registered with the Selective Service or are exempt under Selective Service regulations. For additional information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.

Severely disabled persons program information: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/

Cover page to fax paper application - OPM Form 1203fx: http://federalgovernmentjobs.us/forms/opm1203fx.pdf

Self-assessment questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12789160

Vacancy ID number: MP-25-040-SP

Reasonable accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact listed on the vacancy announcement. The decision to grant a reasonable accommodation is made on a case-by-case basis. Verification of information: Any information claimed on your resume and in application materials, such as education, credentials, employment history, etc., will be verified as part of the security clearance process.

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 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.

Benefits

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.

The self-assessment questions are related to the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies (KSA's).

  • Technical Expertise
  • Data Gathering and Analysis
  • Oral and Written Communication
  • Teamwork
BASIS OF RATING: Your resume will be evaluated by a Subject Matter Expert Panel (SME). Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying.

If you are selected for an interview, you can expect a structured panel interview process, which will include between 2 and 4 members.

Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR § 335.103(b)(3). Your experience is also evaluated using an assessment questionnaire, which is available at the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12789160

Required Documents

To receive consideration, you must complete the self-assessment questionnaire and submit the documentation specified below by

1. Resume: Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) as it relates to this job opportunity. In order to fully evaluate your application and receive proper credit, your resume should include: (1) paid and non-paid experience, job title, dates held (month and year for qualifying purposes to receive credit), number of hours worked per week, and salary (2) knowledge of the subject matter and technical skills pertinent to this position; (3) specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work; and (4) names and phone numbers of your current and/or previous supervisor(s). Your resume should contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this job opportunity announcement for each grade level(s) for which you are applying.

2. Self-assessment questionnaire: A completed job-specific questionnaire should be submitted through your Application Manager account.

3. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles.
You must submit the following documents:

  • a copy of your agency notice;
  • a copy of your most recent performance rating; and
  • a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location
4. Cover Letter. This is optional.

5. Special hiring authority applicants. If you are applying under the special appointing authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled (Schedule A) or Vietnam era and disabled veterans (VRA), you will be asked to submit documents showing eligibility to non-competitively apply under Merit Assignment announcements. Please indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application. For more info on non-competitive appointments and supporting documents, please visit Federal Employment of People with Disabilities or Feds Hire Vets - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans.

6. Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation: Must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service,

7. 30% Disabled Veterans must submit their Member Copy 4 DD-214(s), which includes Character of Service, and VA Disability Letter with percentage of disability OR documentation of disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces which reflects a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more

8. SF-50: Current and former federal employees must submit a copy of an SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," which documents your highest permanent grade/step/salary held. Award SF-50s typically don't contain your grade/step/salary.

9. Due Weight: Please submit 1) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation and 2) 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 24 | Merit Promotion & Staffing Policy Personnel Handbook 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. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available. Please indicate if any prior performance appraisals/evaluations were at an acceptable level.

10. Performance Appraisal: If you are a current or former federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months. If you do not have one, you must submit a statement.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/08/2025 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.

3. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

4. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

The Vacancy ID is 12789160

Agency contact information

Steve Parker
Address
Office of Administrative Services
500 E St SW
Washington, DC 20436
US

Next steps

Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted.

To check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.

You will be notified up to four times during the hiring process:Upon receipt of your application

  1. Upon receipt of your application
  2. Upon minimum qualifications determination
  3. After candidates have been referred to the hiring official
  4. Once a selection has been made


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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