Summary
This group is responsible for providing logistical support to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Chief Counsel (AGC), and to the Department of Justice by collecting, disseminating, and managing information associated with enforcement actions, litigation activities, and Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests about aviation accidents occurring in the National Airspace System (NAS).
This job is open to
Internal to an agency
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
Clarification from the agency
Open to permanent FAA employees.
Duties
The Government Information Specialist applies experience and expert knowledge of the analysis, dissemination, and management of government information policies and procedures. Serves as a recognized subject matter expert in the application of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Leads teams in researching, analyzing, and evaluating information to respond to highly complex and challenging FOIA requests under the minimal direction of the Team Manager. This position provides logistical support to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) offices responsible for litigation and enforcement activities.
As a principal specialist, reviews FOIA requests to develop innovative policy-based processes, procedures, or standard operating procedures used by FOIA coordinators in ATO Headquarters service units and the service center FOIA offices, while taking into consideration FAA policies, Government-wide rules and regulations, and external concerns. May create new solutions and policy interpretations as required. Keeps abreast of recent developments in the field of disclosure, including recent court decisions, department decisions, and current legislative resolutions to ensure that FOIA coordinators comply with Federal laws governing the flow of information. Safeguards Government information while supporting accountability and transparency initiatives.
As the expert on FOIA, provides expert guidance and instruction both internally and externally to address diverse, complex issues which often cross multiple projects, programs, and/or functional areas. Analyzes and addresses complex and sensitive issues and develops solutions to address conflicting FOIA related matters. Assembles cross-organizational teams to compile and develop complex FOIA responses, as needed. Identifies and resolves challenging problems or issues that often cross organizational boundaries and impact on the accomplishment of strategic objectives. Develops and recommends approaches to address current and anticipated problems and issues. Works with senior management to identify and resolve problems.
Guides and trains FOIA coordinators in all ATO Service Units on data protection procedures and practices. Provide analytical support to coordinators in processing FOIA requests and assigning them to the appropriate service unit, directorate or staff office. Serves as liaison to external customers and requesters to clarify and resolve issues. Verifies and correlates information to determine if the request is specific enough to answer. If not, coordinate with the requester for clarification. Performs research to identify and review responsive records for making a disclosure determination. Reviews and assembles proposed FOIA response packages for FOIA requests assigned to ATO Headquarters, prior to final signature by the respective service unit Vice President. Utilizes automated FOIA systems to develop and
review responses, and to maintain files and records.
Contacts are internal and external to Safety and Technical Training and include FOIA Coordinators throughout the ATO as well as other stakeholders, Congress and the public. Often represents the major subdivision and LOB/SO as a principal point of contact to provide advice and guidance on the applications of FOIA policies and procedures, may include leading high-level training sessions. Prepares, reviews, and recommends approvals of major reports on projects, programs and other work activities for internal and external distribution. Develops briefings to convey strategic vision and/or organizational policies to internal and external audiences.
Although broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, the FOIA Specialist is often required to develop new approaches. The Team Manager reviews work only at completion for success in achieving planned results. Has broad discretion to ensure the alignment of organizational goals and policies and the requirements of the projects and/or other work activities.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- US Citizenship is required.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
- Some, all or none may be interviewed.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position at the J band level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-I, FG/GS-13 level. This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled, which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:
- Experience assembling and reviewing proposed response packages.
- Experience with verifying and correlating information to determine if the request is specific enough to answer, and coordinate with the requester for clarification as needed.
You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.
Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.
Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.
Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.
Education
Education may not be substituted for experience.
Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.
Additional information
We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
NOTES:
1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.
In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.
2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm
3) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.
Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA
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.
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.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
Required Documents
Only supplemental documentation (e.g., transcript, certifications, SF-50, and/or veterans¿ documentation) will be accepted in combination with your online application. These documents must be uploaded or faxed to 202-267-7032 or 1-866-291-3009 on or before the closing date of the announcement. All submitted documents must reference the announcement number.
ALL applicants MUST submit the following:
(1) resume with complete work history; and
(2) a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
For guidance on how to create a Federal resume, visit http://www.archives.gov/careers/jobs/forms/resume-guide.pdf.
Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date will result in a finding of ineligible. We are not responsible for incomplete, illegible or missing documents.
Please DO NOT email your application documents. We cannot accept documents received via the email system. Documents sent via email will NOT receive consideration.
If you are an FAA employee, you
MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.
If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system
https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/.
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
Applicants may be required to complete one or multiple assessments as part of the evaluation process. This assessment aims to evaluate the competencies and qualifications essential for the position.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.
RESUMES ARE LIMITED TO TWO PAGES. IN DESCRIBING YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC AND INCLUDE INFORMATION AS IT RELATES TO THE QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION.
Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:
Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
- Relevant work experience: should align to the Job Announcement and address all required qualifications and include job title, employer name, start/end dates, number of hours worked per week.
- Education, certification or licensure: If required, education should include school/institution name, completion date, degree type and GPA.
Determining length of General or Specialized Experience is dependent on the above information and failure to provide ALL of this information may result in a finding of ineligible.You may upload completed documents to your USAJOBS Account. This will provide you the opportunity to utilize the uploaded information again when applying for future vacancies.
Next steps
Once we receive your complete application, the Human Resources Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications. Eligible and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. You will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, please go to: USAJOBS Help Guide.
Important - If you make any changes to your application, you must resubmit it. If you make changes to your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and only your previously submitted application will be evaluated.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT 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 agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.