Government Information Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Montrose, NY

5d • Onsite

About The Position

VA Hudson Valley Health Care System is hiring a Government Information Specialist based at Montrose or Castle Point, with travel between both campuses as needed. The position provides comprehensive support for the execution, oversight, and ongoing improvement of Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), HIPAA, privacy, and records management operations across the system.

The specialist supports facility-level decisions about disclosure, redactions, denials, release authorizations, and records management, ensuring decisions align with federal guidance and agency precedent. The role contributes to policy and process development, information governance, privacy risk reduction, investigations and incident response, staff education, and strategic initiatives. It involves frequent collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners, including Veteran Service Organizations, Congressional offices, community leaders, attorneys, academic affiliates, commercial organizations, and members of the public.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework may be authorized, with eligibility discussed during the interview. This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements if a current or former Federal employee applying under the stated conditions: for GS-9, 52 weeks at GS-7; supporting SF-50 documentation is required where applicable.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, including experience reviewing and processing FOIA and Privacy requests, identifying sensitive records, screening materials for disclosure compliance, and researching FOIA developments or compiling FOIA reporting data.
• Ability to meet applicable background and security investigation requirements.
• Registration with Selective Service for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Complete the required online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Ability to perform work involving sitting, walking, bending, and carrying light items such as books, papers, and files.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, coordination, administration, and continuous improvement of Privacy/FOIA program components.
• Support facility-level determinations regarding disclosures, redactions, denials, release authorizations, and records management requirements.
• Help develop, revise, and maintain local privacy practices, policies, safeguards, and internal processes.
• Review business workflows and recommend improvements concerning data disclosure, consent and authorization, privacy investigations and breach response, FOIA, and records management.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners, including Veteran Service Organizations, Congressional offices, community leaders, attorneys, academic affiliates, commercial organizations, and members of the public.
• Support communication strategies that increase awareness, reinforce compliance expectations, and promote a culture of privacy.
• Provide technical and analytical assistance on data governance issues in partnership with senior leadership, law enforcement, the Office of Chief Counsel, VISN leadership, and VHA program offices.
• Research and analyze complex policy questions and applicable federal and state laws, case law, and oversight-body decisions concerning information collection, use, disclosure, and protection.
• Assist with planning, coordinating, and conducting privacy investigations, including evidence collection, case analysis, briefings, and recommended actions for leadership.
• Support incident documentation and remediation involving impermissible access, unauthorized disclosures, and breaches involving PHI or PII.
• Design and deliver training, provide targeted guidance to service areas with compliance deficiencies, and educate employees on applicable legal and regulatory requirements and privacy practices.
• Assess privacy-related risks associated with business activities involving personal and sensitive data.
• Independently investigate privacy-related noncompliance matters within the organization and involving external partners when VHA information may be affected.
• Identify policy gaps, assess staff knowledge, and support program improvements as privacy and FOIA requirements evolve.
• Contribute to strategic management initiatives that strengthen information controls and consistency across service lines.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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