This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board), in Washington, DC. The Board is a major component of the VA and operates by authority of, and functions pursuant to Chapter 71 of Title 38, USC. The mission of the Board of Veterans' Appeals is to conduct hearings and issue timely and quality decisions for Veterans and other appellants in compliance with the requirements of the law.

Duties

Through mutual agreement between American Federation of Government Employees(AFGE), Local 17 and the agency, the initial application review cut-off for this job announcement is 100 applications. The first 100 applications received will be considered first. Applications received after the initial cut-off number(100 applications) may not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management. As a Lead Program Specialist within the Board's Office of the Chief Counsel (OCC), Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office your typical duties at GS 11 are as follows: Implement, manage and evaluate the Privacy and Freedom of Information Act programs in the facility by distributing information, preparing facility-specific guidance, reviewing facility processes and products for compliance with program requirements, and assessing the facility privacy posture through periodic evaluation of the facility's collection, use, storage and maintenance of sensitive personal information. Processes and respond to requests for access to records under the PA in compliance with Federal guidelines and VA policy. Develops, implements, and maintains privacy policies and procedures. Provides guidance and advice on Federal privacy policy and processes to the privacy team and Board staff. Assists in coordinating program implementation and management with higher organizational levels and prepare required and requested reports and information. Evaluates confidential personal records that, if released, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. Ensures compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance and advises managers on any issues in regarding the Board's PA program. Ensures that that the PA program supports the Board's mission, needs, goals, objectives, and priorities. Serves as an alternate point of contact for matters related to the Board's privacy, information security, and records management programs. Provides additional support to the Office of the Chief Counsel including performing assignments related to the Board's privacy and information security, FOIA, and records management programs. Prepares written memoranda concerning the matter of representation for the Board counsel and Veterans Law Judge. At the direction of the ruling authority, prepares orders in complex cases, clarification of representation letters, letters to co-located veterans service organizations concerning claims folder review, requests for withdrawal, motions for extension of time, and motions. Compose letters, memoranda, and reports of contact in response to correspondence received from claimants, accredited service organizations, Members of Congress, attorneys, etc., concerning questions pertaining to appeals. Incumbent assists the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) Officer in processing of information requests under both statutes. Distinguishes first (PA) and third party (FOIA) information requests, enters requests in the electronic logs specifically designed to track all such claims, and dispatches acknowledgement letters to requestors. Work Schedule: 0800-4:30 EST Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Lead Program Specialist/PD205430 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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, 04/24/2024. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Drafting, reviewing and editing the Privacy and Freedom of Information Act programs. Collecting, analyzing and documenting information related to maintain privacy policies and procedures Developing new and strengthening current relationships with relevant stakeholders. Formulating and implementing knowledge management and records management policies, such as?developing and maintaining databases, records management, and conducting research. Analyzing technical, operational, and administrative functions for the purpose of recommending process improvements or increasing program effectiveness to ensure compliance with federal and state laws. Developing criteria for educating, and coaching Executive leadership, managerial, and front-line staff to ensure compliance with all federal privacy law and policy including FOIA regulations. Experience collecting, consolidating, and reviewing data for response to information requests Operate a variety of personal computer software applications to include work processing, spreadsheets, databases and on-line research services; Draft written and oral responses on FOIA matters Prepare written conclusions on complex FOIA matters. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in order to perform a wide range of duties (i.e. prepare orders in complex cases, clarification of representation letters, letters to co-located veterans service organizations concerning claims folder review, requests for withdrawal, motions for extension of time, and motions). OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; Or, 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; Or, LL.M., if related. (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 2 full years of graduate education. (Transcript Required). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Attention to Detail Knowledge Management Customer Service Teamwork Compliance 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 work is sedentary. Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to attend meetings and conferences away from the work site. Work may require carrying light items such as papers, books, or small parts 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Board of Veterans' Appeals 425 I St NW Washington, DC 20001 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]