The facility Privacy/FOIA Officer has oversight for the data governance program and initiatives in the VHA Medical Center or Healthcare System and its supporting catchment area. The position makes unique facility-level determinations about disclosures, issuance of denials, redactions, access, use and dissemination of federal agency records. The position formulates policy, ensures compliance with federal and state laws and conducts thorough research of federal implementing regulations.

Duties

Supports developing a local level strategy for data governance, which includes leading from the executive office and creating a unique program that includes .diverse processes and specific policies which are independent of other facilities. Develops the local privacy strategy that integrates the VHA Medical Center or Healthcare System with data governance program goals, national strategic priorities and VA core values. Leverages key functions of the authority delegated from the facility Director to make final decisions of data disclosure, initiate independent investigations, conduct compliance activities and implement physical, technical and administrative safeguards across the facility. Additionally, the Privacy/FOIA Officer will interact with high ranking external stakeholders lo include Veteran Service Organizations (VSO's), Congressional representatives, internal and external partners, community leaders, attorneys, news media, affiliate universities, commercial entitles and the local public with regards to the protection, release and transparency of information within the facility. Provides subject matter expertise directly and independently with senior leadership, local and facility Law Enforcement, Office of Chief Counsel in the District, VHA Central Office and VISN leadership regarding data governance. Represents the agency authoritatively to key officials and organizations both within and outside of VA Resolves major issues and concerns with regards to data governance in the absence of VHA program office or Office of General Counsel (OGC) oversight. Routinely makes independent key decisions that can have serious implications for the agency in the absence of situational guidance. Using an expert understanding of all applicable laws, regulations and guidelines, independently analyzes all of the interrelated issues that affect the privacy/FOIA program. Plans and conducts monitoring activities which measure the overall level of operational compliance by the facility. With only general and broad guidance, the officer must possess vast knowledge of the varying policies and work processes throughout the facility. Develops and integrates policy-based processes, roles and controls that influences how data is created, collected, used, stored and destroyed throughout the organization. Classifies and addresses issues stemming from conflict of regulations and laws and differences in compliance with facility business practices. Participates in the planning, development and evaluation of procurement and acquisitions for goods and services for the entire organization. Responsible for reviewing and approving business agreements such as. data use agreement, memorandum of understanding and interconnection security agreements with external federal, state agencies and partner companies without supervision. Performs other related duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm 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#: Government Information Specialist/PD99843-S

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/01/2024. 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 level. 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 as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the interrelationship between HIPAA and other privacy laws; Ensure research databases are established and maintained in accordance with company policies; Respond to requests, appeals, and maintain records; coordinate records review and redaction by organizations responsible for the records being requested. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationDatabase AdministrationOrganizational Performance Analysis 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 primarily sedentary. There will be episodes of moderate lifting or prolonged periods of standing and bending in searching various files. There is lifting and carrying of such items as record boxes and bulky files. The work involves considerable walking, standing and bending conducting rounds, auditing and providing training to both on-site and off-site personnel. There is also occasional lifting and carrying of such items as boxes and files, weighing up to 30 lbs. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, AL 35233 US
• Name: Brian Cross
• Email: [email protected]