These positions are located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Office of Chief Counsel, FOIA and Privacy Act Unit These position(s) primary purpose is responsible for performing a wide-range of administrative duties necessary to support an effective and efficient FOIA/PA Program.

Duties

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Government Information Specialistyour typical work assignments may include: Drafting a variety of correspondence to requesters (e.g., status letters, reformulation letters, no record responses, categorical denials, final determination letters, etc.) Recommending proper disposition of non-DEA requests and transfers them to the proper agencies. Assisting with electronic monitoring and tracking of projects and/or FOIA/PA requests, appeals, and litigation in a case management database. Developing written materials to transmit information concerning the nature and purpose of the program.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test.
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. You may qualify at the GS-07 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of experience (equivalent to at least the GS-05 level or pay band in the Federal service) that includes performing the following duties: (1) Assisting in the resolution of complex program issues and communicates solutions or answers; (2) Assisting with initiating contact with likely records repositories, assess potential FOIA fees and gather other pertinent data for independent action or case assignments; and (3) Assisting with completing reports and recommendations by higher-grade specialists or managers concerning administrative or program operations. OR Education: Completed one full academic year of graduate-level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successfully completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree and am claiming Superior Academic Achievement. In order to be creditable under this provision, Superior Academic Achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. Superior Academic Achievement is based on: (1) Class Standing - You 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; OR (2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on your 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 (b) 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; OR (3) Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 18. Add the two percentages. You may qualify at the GS-09 level, if you fulfill the following qualification requirement: One year of experience (equivalent to at least the GS-07 level or pay band in the Federal service) that includes performing the following duties: (1) Assisting in the resolution of complex program issues and communicates solutions or answers; (2) initiating contact with likely records repositories, assess potential FOIA fees and gather other pertinent data for independent action or case assignments; and (3) Completing reports and recommendations by higher-grade specialists or managers concerning administrative or program operations. OR Education: 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. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts and/or verification of class standing for further verification. Specialized 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. One year of specialized experience for this position includes: Competencies: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competencies in the following areas: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA)Oral CommunicationTechnical CompetenceWriting Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement (as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F).

Education

This position requires specific coursework and/or a degree to meet the basic education requirement. You must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Your transcript(s) must clearly demonstrate the course(s) listed in the qualification requirement section. If the transcript(s) does not clearly demonstrate this you must submit a copy of the course description and/or other documentation demonstrating that the courses are equivalent.

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Drug Enforcement Administration Do Not Send Postal Mail Springfield, VA 21310 US
• Name: Debra Jordan
• Phone: 571-776-2688
• Email: [email protected]