Government Information Specialist (FOIA Specialist)

Treasury, Departmental Offices • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

This position is located in the Departmental Offices, Management CFO, Privacy, Transparency, and Records. The Government Information Specialist (FOIA Specialist) supports the administration and implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act within Departmental Offices (DO). The Office of Privacy, Transparency and Records (PTR) leads Treasury's administration of these laws, oversees department-wide implementation of the FOIA program, prepares department-wide reports, operates the DO FOIA program, and serves as a resource for Treasury bureaus.

The specialist coordinates the intake and initial management of FOIA and Privacy Act requests, consultations, and administrative appeals. Work includes reviewing incoming requests, identifying requests that need clarification or perfection, preparing acknowledgment correspondence, and routing search taskers to appropriate program-office record custodians. The role also coordinates case activities throughout the request lifecycle, monitors progress, maintains case documentation, communicates with requesters and federal entities, and supports compliance with statutory and policy requirements.

The position applies knowledge of the FOIA lifecycle, including document review, redaction, and disclosure, to support effective case management. It also involves maintaining accurate records, preparing reports, identifying outstanding actions or potential delays, and helping improve intake and case-management procedures. The announcement includes GS-12 and GS-13 qualification levels, each requiring one year of specified specialized experience at the next lower grade level. No education qualification is required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must successfully complete a background investigation and personnel vetting; onboarding includes enrollment in Continuous Vetting and the FBI Rap Back service.
• Must comply with federal ethics laws and complete a Declaration for Federal Employment when requested.
• Must use Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer for salary payments.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify Selective Service registration or exemption.
• Must complete a Personal Identity Verification process requiring two forms of identification from Form I-9.
• GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12, including analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on the effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance of a FOIA program; independently processing, coordinating, and tracking FOIA requests while analyzing whether exemptions apply; and advising program offices and subject-matter experts on FOIA administration.
• GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, including interpreting and applying FOIA Exemptions 1–7 and related laws, regulations, decisions, policies, procedures, and directives; reviewing FOIA documents, preparing case files, and responding to requesters with final decisions; and working with program offices and subject-matter experts to narrow request scope, troubleshoot, and answer questions.
• Experience may be gained in public-sector, private-sector, or volunteer service; part-time experience is prorated.
• GS-13 applicants must have 52 weeks at the GS-12 level; GS-12 applicants must have 52 weeks at the GS-11 level, when applicable.
• Current federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Responsibilities

• Support administration and implementation of FOIA and the Privacy Act within Departmental Offices.
• Handle, track, and coordinate requests, consultations, and administrative appeals.
• Receive, log, and maintain request information and records in the FOIA case-management system, and route requests for appropriate action.
• Review incoming requests for completeness and identify requests needing clarification or perfection.
• Prepare acknowledgment letters and other correspondence.
• Research and facilitate timely routing and assignment of search taskers to appropriate program-office record custodians.
• Coordinate request perfection, clarification, acknowledgment, assignment, tracking, and follow-up activities.
• Communicate with requesters, program-office record custodians, and other federal entities to facilitate accurate and timely handling.
• Monitor case progress and coordinate with program offices and FOIA processing personnel.
• Maintain case documentation and assist in preparing complete case files for review and subsequent processing or determination.
• Apply knowledge of document review, redaction, and disclosure processes to facilitate case management.
• Identify outstanding actions and potential delays, and provide administrative and technical support for compliance with FOIA and Privacy Act requirements.
• Maintain accurate case records, prepare reports, and identify opportunities to improve intake and case-management procedures.

Benefits

• Eleven paid holidays and 13 days of sick leave annually.
• 13 to 26 days of vacation time annually.
• Access to insurance programs that may be continued after retirement, including a choice of health insurance plans; the government pays up to 75% of health insurance premiums.
• Retirement program with employer-matching contributions.
• Competitive salaries, bonuses, and incentive awards.
• Opportunities for advancement.
• Opportunities for telework.
• Opportunities for flexible work schedules.

What This Job Offers

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