Government Information Specialist

Agricultural Marketing Service • Fort Collins, CO

17h

About The Position

Serves as a Government Information Specialist and assumes a role as an expert in the dissemination and disclosure of Agency records requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA). The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.

Requirements

• Must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting.
• Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
• Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.
• FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience reviewing agency records and applying FOIA exemptions. Experience providing detailed written justifications of FOIA exemptions. Experience managing a FOIA caseload and communicating updates to management, program staff, and requesters.
• FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience analyzing FOIA requests and preparing FOIA release packages for management review. Experience processing FOIA appeals and/or litigation. Experience conducting research on statutes and court cases to assist with FOIA and PA initial determinations, appeals, and/or litigation.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Processes all types of FOIA requests, comprising of business, personnel, scientific, and Agency policy records.
• Conducts a word-by-word analysis of records to determine their responsiveness to the requests and applicability of specific FOIA and PA exemptions.
• Reviews Agency records and determines what information can be released or must be withheld under the FOIA and the PA, applying established exemptions and agency guidance.
• Serves as a technical resource on the proper handling, dissemination, and disclosure of Agency records in response to FOIA and PA requests.
• Works with Agency program offices and other USDA components to gather records, coordinate searches, and reach agreement on record release determinations.
• Clearly explains FOIA and Privacy Act issues to program staff, requesters, media representatives, attorneys, and other stakeholders.
• Provides input and recommendations to FOIA leadership on the interpretation and application of FOIA and PA policies, laws, and regulations.
• Conducts research, gathers background information, reviews responsive records, and completes information packages for management review and signature in response to requests.
• Processes and coordinates appeal and litigation responses with the Agency Program FOIA Coordinators, supervisors, the FOIA Officer, and the Office of the General Counsel.

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.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed