The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to protect the United States from threats to our national security by pursuing justice through the law. The mission of the Records and FOIA Unit is to manage NSD's obligations under the FOIA. This includes, but is not limited to, processing FOIA requests for records of NSD, and supporting the Unit's response to NSD FOIA matters in litigation.

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. The primary purpose of this Government Information Specialist (FOIA Processing) position is to serve as an advanced FOIA analyst in NSD Office of General Counsel's Records and FOIA Unit working to ensure NSD compliance with the FOIA. This position is responsible for multiple projects simultaneously and serves as a resource on the integration of technology and FOIA. The duties and responsibilities for a Government Information Specialist (FOIA Processing) at full performance level generally include, but are not limited to, the following: Review and coordinate the processing of FOIA requests, to include requests with issues that require interpretation and adaptation of guidance to particular situations related to the FOIA. Identify information exempt from disclosure pursuant to the FOIA and appropriately redacts information within responsive records pursuant to an applicable exemption under the FOIA statute. Draft outgoing responses that ensure complete coverage of all issues, proper coordination with the appropriate parties, and compliance with FOIA/PA regulations and policies. Consult and coordinate within NSD, with other DOJ organizational components, and with other federal agencies on routine and nonroutine procedural issues to ensure consistent FOIA processing within NSD and with colleagues across the U.S. government. Research requests, identify any preliminary legal issues, analyze whether there is any basis to assert an exemption or exception to disclosure that would preclude the need for a records search by NSD (e.g., listed exception, Glomar). Initiate contacts with paralegals, attorneys, high-ranking public officials, members of the public, and others to give technical and procedural guidance on routine and non-routine FOIA issues. Support the Records and FOIA Unit litigation attorneys in all aspects of FOIA litigation, to include coordinating responses to DOJ Federal Programs Branch or DOJ United States Attorney's Office litigators representing NSD in FOIA litigation matters. Provide advice and guidance for issues that require interpretation and adaptation of guidance to particular situations related to the FOIA. Review and analyze agency FOIA reports and contributes to the preparation and completion of NSD FOIA Unit's input to agency reports and related summaries. Review and analyze documentation and records control procedures for the FOIA Case Tracking System.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary or two-year trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement, at any time, if openings occur in other offices serviced by Justice Management Division, HR Operations.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Government Information Specialist (FOIA Processing) at (GS-0306-11/12), you must possess the required specialized experience specific to this series and grade you're applying to. If you are a current or former government employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level, to meet the time-in-grade requirements for this occupational series and grade. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information). May be selected at any grade level with non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade. Non-competitive promotion potential to the target grade based on time-in-grade requirements and demonstrated ability to perform the higher graded duties. To Qualify for the Government Information Specialist (FOIA Processing) GS-0306-11, you must have at least one of the following: A. Specialized Experience: Your resume must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector processing Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests for an organization. -OR- B. Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. -OR- C. 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 second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. To Qualify for the Government Information Specialist (FOIA Processing) GS-0306-12: Specialized Experience: Your resume must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector applying exemptions and preparing responses to FOIA/PA requests for an organization. Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone. No substitution of education for experience is permitted for the GS-12 grade level. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including Time-in-Grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 05/15/2024. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. ***Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.***

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below: Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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. For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation.

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Contacts

• Address National Security Division 2 Constitution Square 145 N Street NE Room 9W.300 Washington, DC 20530 US
• Name: Randall Williams
• Email: [email protected]