Government Information Specialist

Offices, Boards and Divisions•Washington, DC

13d

About The Position

The Civil Division's Office of Records & Information is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented Government Information Specialist to work on its FOIA team. The role involves searching for records, determining whether records respond to requests, and considering the application of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) exemptions. The specialist also engages with other Executive Branch offices regarding the application of exemptions. The position is advertised at the GS-12/13 levels, with duties varying by grade. At GS-12, the specialist works in consultation with a Lead or Supervisor to send records to other agencies, Department components, and Division offices for consultation or concurrence on FOIA and PA exemptions. The role uses e-discovery platforms and related tools to search, review, tag, and redact records; answers reviewer questions about requests and processing; drafts determination correspondence; researches issues in responsive records and recommends actions; and communicates with requesters about request scope, fees, and the records sought. At GS-13, the specialist performs similar consultation and correspondence work, while independently researching and analyzing complex or unprecedented issues and recommending actions. The role provides guidance on unprecedented FOIA and PA issues, reviews and coordinates requests involving matters not covered by precedent decisions, processes complex requests involving highly sensitive and classified Division records, and provides oral and written training and guidance to Division staff on FOIA and privacy matters. The position has no educational requirement. Candidates must meet the applicable specialized-experience requirements for the selected grade: one year at the GS-11 level for GS-12, or one year at the GS-12 level for GS-13. A clearance is not required to accept the position, but the candidate must be able to obtain one if needed. Employment may include a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or national status.
Complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check, including drug screening.
Be able to obtain a security clearance if needed; a clearance is not required to accept the position.
Meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date and continue to meet them throughout the hiring process.
For GS-12: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 in federal service processing FOIA/PA requests, searching for records and determining responsiveness, communicating with requesters orally and in writing, and guiding staff on FOIA and PA issues.
For GS-13: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 in federal service reviewing and coordinating FOIA requests, recommending disclosure decisions, researching and analyzing issues in responsive records and recommending actions, and researching applicable law and summarizing statutes, case law, and other substantive information.
Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by the announcement deadline.
For males born on or after December 31, 1959, register with Selective Service or have an approved exemption on file.
The resume must support application questionnaire responses and qualification requirements.

Responsibilities

Search for records and determine whether records are responsive to FOIA and PA requests.
Consider and apply FOIA and PA exemptions to information in responsive records, consulting with other agencies, Department components, and Division offices as needed.
Use e-discovery platforms to conduct Boolean and keyword searches, review records for responsiveness, tag records, and apply redactions using related tools.
Answer reviewers' questions about requests, processing status, request subject matter, and processing determinations.
Draft correspondence communicating the Office's determinations in response to FOIA and PA requests.
Research issues in responsive records and recommend actions, including assessing publicly available information, relationships among individuals identified in files, and potential privacy or financial harms from disclosure.
Communicate with requesters about request scope, applicable fees, and the types of records sought.
At GS-13, independently research and analyze complex or unprecedented issues in responsive records and recommend actions.
At GS-13, advise and guide others on unprecedented FOIA and PA issues, and review and coordinate requests involving issues without precedent decisions.
At GS-13, process complex requests involving highly sensitive and classified records maintained by the Division.
At GS-13, provide oral and written training and guidance to Division staff on FOIA and privacy matters.