This position provides an opportunity to build a professional career in the important field of FOIA and government information! We are seeking Government Information Specialists who report directly to the Director of the Office of Information Services (OIS), within DOL's Office of the Solicitor (SOL), which is responsible for managing and coordinating the Department's decentralized Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program across 23 agency components.

Duties

OIS engages in coordination, guidance, training, and oversight activities to assist DOL in complying with its statutory and regulatory responsibilities under FOIA. The persons selected will participate in procedures to track, assign, and manage FOIA requests received within the Department, effectively communicate with FOIA requesters and DOL's FOIA professionals, assist in providing expert level advise to Departmental FOIA contacts on administrative FOIA processing matters, contribute to the overall efficiency of DOL's overarching FOIA program by providing substantive input on OIS plans and projections and perform other duties as assigned in support of the current OIS mandate. The Government Information Specialist will contribute to the full range of functions assigned to the Office of Information Services. Working with the Director and other OIS staff, your duties will include: Monitors the Department's central electronic FOIA mailbox, the Departmental Public Access Link and FOIA.gov for incoming requests. Serves as an initial or primary contact for external customers to ensure the efficient and proper assignment of FOIA requests and to address follow up concerns raised by requesters regarding such assignments. Supports internal and external customers by providing timely and accurate advice and guidance concerning the administration of the Department's FOIA program in compliance with DOL's FOIA regulation, agency policies, procedures, and guidelines. Provides training and guidance to DOL personnel with FOIA responsibilities (consulting with the OIS Director as appropriate) by helping to plan and participate in the Department's FOIA training conference and related training opportunities, including peer-to-peer trainings. Provides subject matter expertise in the preparation of data calls, data analyses, and reports on the Department's FOIA activities, including correspondence, e-mail, data reports, instructional reporting templates, fact sheets, historical data charts, backlog reduction plans, reading room certifications, talking points, and related documents. Supports the Director, OIS by providing advice and guidance on program matters including the improvement of operating procedures, the use of automation and technology applications, the application of standard FOIA processing procedures, best practices in customer service, negotiating with requesters, and other program related issues. Assists in overseeing and monitoring of the operations and use of the Departmental FOIA tracking system. Reviews and interprets DOL's FOIA regulations and related guidance to ensure compliance with current law and policy. Under the guidance of supervisory personnel, reviews, analyzes and makes determinations about the disclosure of records under the provisions of FOIA.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary background investigation level.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Relocation expenses will not be paid.
• This position is included in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

You must meet the Basic Requirements listed in the Education Requirements section and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Government Information Specialist, as described below. For GS-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-11 in the Federal Service. For GS-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-12 in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience is the experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Qualifying specialized experience for GS-12, is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with working knowledge of Federal law and regulation governing requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act. Applicants must have demonstrated this knowledge through education or experience administering policy and offering guidance related to FOIA administrative practices and procedures. Qualifying specialized experience for GS-13, is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with demonstrated proficiency related to the implementation of the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, DOL's FOIA regulations, internal policies and guidance from the Department of Justice. Applicants must have obtained this knowledge through work related experiences where they have: Used quantitative and qualitative analysis to identify and suggest programmatic changes that increase efficiencies, effectiveness, and customer experience relative to DOL's overarching FOIA program, and contribute to the development of long and short-range goals that support the agency mission and compliance with FOIA.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Solicitor 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Camille Britt
• Phone: 202-693-5415
• Email: [email protected]