This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of the Secretary and Executive Management, Privacy Office. The primary purpose of this position is to conduct reviews of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) information, provide advice and assist managers and employees concerning Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) issues, policies and procedures. This is a non-bargaining unit position.

Duties

As a Government Info Specialist (FOIA), GS-0306-7/9, your typical work assignments may include: Perform Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing, through researching, analyzing and evaluating data for response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Review incoming request and maintain a professional dialogue with requester(s) serving as liaison to external customers and recipients to clarify and resolve Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) related issues. Reviews documents withholding to ensure appropriateness. Assembles Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) release packages. All DHS-HQ announcements have a 5 business day open period due to the number of applications received. This announcement will be open for 5 business days OR until the first 100 applications have been received, whichever happens first. View common definitions of terms found in this announcement: Common Definitions.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• You may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, performing duties such as: (1) Processes notices associated with specific Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases. (2) Provide initial analysis of incoming Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and PA requests. (3) Redacts documents in accordance with Office of Homeland Security Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) protocols which include annotating appropriate Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions on records. (4) Draft responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and PA Requests. OR Full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application; OR A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership: Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (GPA.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to (1) Providing technical assistance to DHS components relating to specific Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and general guideline and regulation interpretation. (2) Assisting in training contractors, detailees or other new Freedom of Information Act (FOlA)/PA processing personnel. (3) Communicates with stakeholders such as requesters and program offices to facilitate the processing of Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) and PA requests. OR Education. A master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LLB. or J.D if related. C. A Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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, religious, 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications; applicant's resumes and supporting documentation should only reflect education received from schools accredited by such institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following Website: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency (a U.S. private organization's interpretation that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to conventional U.S. education programs) with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education webpage on the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Contacts

• Address Department of Homeland Security Headquarters OCHCO/HRMS/MS #0170 6595 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 20598-0170 US
• Name: Linda Dews
• Phone: 202-666-5535
• Email: [email protected]