Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to Federal employees serving on a Competitive service appointment and other eligible applicants. Please read the "This job is open to" section above, to ensure you are eligible for consideration.

The duties and responsibilities for a Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA), GS-0306-12/13 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Coordinates and processes complex requests for access to highly sensitive records.
* Handles sensitive documents in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
* Independently researches and gathers information in response to requests from higher offices.
* Reviews and advises on complex cases, in situations where definition or data or incomplete, controversial or uncertain, or where boundaries of the issues are difficult to determine.
* Conducts studies involving analytical assignments which focus on the proper implementation of FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) requirements and processing of such requests.
* Collects relevant information from varied sources.

The duties listed above are generally written for one grade level. If the position is advertised at multiple grades, the duties will be adjusted in difficulty, complexity, and level of supervision, for higher or lower grades, as appropriate. Organization may also add other duties as assigned once you are hired, based on what is included and allowed by the position description.

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 31st 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 Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement, at any time, if openings occur in other offices serviced by Justice Management Division, HR Operations.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.

Qualifications

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

If you are a current or former government employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level, to meet the time-in-grade requirements for this occupational series and grade. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information).

For the GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting 3 of the 5 statements below:
1) Reviews documents to identify and redact sensitive information under FOIA and PA exemptions;
2) Reviews incoming FOIA/PA requests from search to final response;
3) Drafts written responses to requesters and prepares status reports for senior leadership;
4) Maintains FOIA/Pa database and formal administrative records;
5) Utilize automated tools and software to organize documentation, information, and/or evidence.

For the GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting 3 of the 6 statements below:
1) Communicates and negotiates with requesters regarding FOIA/PA requests;
2) Conducts record searches in response to FOIA requests;
3) Conducts research as required to determine FOIA/PA information to be released;
4) Consults, as appropriate, with other government entities regarding responsiveness and releasability determinations;
5) Handles the above 4 tasks independently and potentially review the work of others;
6) Handles prior responses to efficiently handle new FOIA requests utilizing technology-related discovery efforts.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 12/04/2025.

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.

After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 12/04/2025 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

How you will be evaluated

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

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. You must meet all qualifications, including meeting or exceeding the cut score on the required assessments.

Your USAHIRE assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

Additionally, we will review your supporting documents and resume to determine if you are in the "Area of Consideration" for this vacancy. Government-Wide Merit Promotion vacancies may only accept applications from a limited audience, pay careful attention to the "Who May Apply" and the "Hiring Paths" information. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

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. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Influencing/Negotiating
• Information Management
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Problem Solving
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Strategic Thinking
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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

• Resume

• 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.

1. Spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty: documentation showing 1) your spouse's active-duty status and 2) your marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
2. Spouse of service members who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active-duty service: documentation showing 1) the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent; and 2) documentation of marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
3. Spouse of service members killed while on active duty: documentation showing a) the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; b) the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; c) proof of the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and d) a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see OPM's Schedule A site.

1. 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.
2. 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.

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