The incumbent serves as a Government Information Specialist (Assistant Privacy/FOIA Officer) in the Privacy Office of the Director's Office handling a broad range of routine to moderately complex Privacy and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases.

Duties

Privacy and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases. require a thorough working knowledge of center and Agency functions, operations, and record regulations. The work also involves the safeguarding of Government information while supporting accountability and transparency. The Medical Center FOIA Division receives and controls all requests FOIA, covering all aspects of the Medical Center operations and policy. The requests vary widely in scope and complexity, and in skills and time necessary for completion. The incumbent is expected to handle the broad range of requests received by the office to exclude only the most complex and sensitive submissions, which are assigned to the Lead Privacy Officer. Government information work involves implementing policies and procedures to manage Government information and providing information-related assistance and services to the general public and VA staff members. The work requires interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and guidance to provide access to VA agency records and information, while ensuring protected information is appropriately disclosed. The Assistant Privacy/FOIA Officer makes determinations about disclosures, issuance of denials, redactions, access to Federal agency records and use and dissemination of personally identifiable information. The Privacy/FOIA Office focuses on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), and 38 U.S.C. statutes that govern the collection, maintenance, and release of information from VA records. Major duties include but are not limited to: Receives Privacy/FOIA requests, determining all actions to be taken and drafting all necessary correspondence, notices, internal memoranda, or other documentation for processing the requests. Monitors the status and progress of each case assigned. Responds to inquiries from internal and external customers. Advises agency and facility management, and ensures compliance with all Federal and State laws governing the collection, maintenance and disclosure of information. Safeguards of Government information while supporting accountability and transparency. Assists with implementing, managing and monitoring the Privacy and FOIA Programs. Reviews contracts and other facility agreements for privacy and other appropriate language. Ensures research and other databases are established and maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act Systems of Records Notice and VHA policies. Works with Information Security Officer, Research Compliance Officer, Principle investigator and research staff to ensure compliance with HIPPA Privacy Rules waivers of authorizations and valid authorization that is consistent with research protocol and subject informed consents. Provides knowledge of the Privacy regulations to adequately train staff. Utilizes interpersonal effectiveness to communicate regarding privacy. Maintains knowledge of the release of information practices and policies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: AdHoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Government Information Specialist (Privacy/FOIA Officer)/PD403140 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/23/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Specialized Experience. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Please see the Required Documents section below for resume requirements. Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week to receive proper evaluation. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Grade Level Requirements Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience are defined as: documentedexperience performing developmental assignments of moderate difficulty where work procedures are established and a number of specific guidelines exist. Researching, analyzing, evaluating data, responding to a variety of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act requests; developing or assisting in the development of privacy-related policies and procedures based on existing laws/regulations; receiving, investigating and tracking complaints related to compliance; receiving and responding to requests for information in accordance with established laws/regulations/procedures; researching and preparing responses to official inquiries; and educating others regarding compliance with established privacy laws and regulations; OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond one (1) year of graduate education. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) NOTE: Evidence of specialized experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held on your resume. You must provide work experience information such as hours per week, salary, and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish you have one (1) full year of Specialized Experience at or comparable to the required grade level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and ManagementAnalytical ThinkingCritical ThinkingInterpersonal Skills Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The Government Information Specialist is required to perform privacy walk-throughs throughout the facility, travel to surrounding Clinic Based Outpatient Clinics, and visit local Business Associates' place of business or record storage locations, so there may be on certain day a lot of walking. Other than the limited amount of walking there are no unusual physical demands. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Robley Rex VA Medical Center 800 Zorn Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 US
• Name: Nicole Guy
• Phone: 502-287-6291
• Email: [email protected]