The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

Duties

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.* The intent of the TCF Program is to have the trainee placed at the hiring facility. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, a mobility agreement is required to protect the employee as well as the agency. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-12, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. This is a Technical Career Field (TCF) position that serves as the Privacy and Freedom of Information Act Officer in a VHA facility. The Privacy/FOIA Officer contributes to the fulfillment of the VA mission and vision by planning, designing, implementing, and maintaining appropriate and effective program, policies and procedures in a VHA facility. The incumbent fulfills the role of liaison with the facility staff by ensuring that information received is disseminated to the appropriate areas, that employees adhere to mandates from regulatory agencies, and that monitoring is conducted to ensure VA policies and procedures are being followed. In addition, the Privacy/FOIA Officer promotes an awareness of privacy principles consistent with the mission, vision and values of the organization and those required by federal law. The Government Information Specialist is fully responsible for implementing, managing and evaluating the Privacy and FOIA programs in the facility by distributing information, preparing facility-specific guidance, reviewing facility processes for compliance with program requirements, and assessing the facility privacy posture through periodic evaluation of the facility's collection, use, storage and maintenance of VA sensitive personal information. The position is responsible for coordinating program implementation and coordinating with higher organizational levels and preparing required and requested reports and information. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 5701, 5701, 5705, and 7332, the Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) legislation and implementing regulations, Executive Orders, Federal and agency policies and procedures, case law, and precedent decisions related to information disclosure, security, privacy, and protection in order to manage a facility Privacy/FOIA program and provide expert advice on the applicability to the facility. Knowledge of agency/administration programs and organization in order to respond to requests for release of information, investigate allegations, complaints, incidents, and data breaches related to the handling or release of privacy protected information and recommend appropriate remediation. Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy Rule, regulatory, licensing, and accrediting agency requirements, such as the Joint Commission related to collection, use, maintenance, storage and release of health information. Knowledge of the interrelationship between HIPAA and other Federal privacy laws, such as the Privacy Act and FOIA.Knowledge of Privacy/FOIA to explain requirements and procedures to management and staff; defend findings and recommendations to management; and prepare written responses, reports, and information materials for a variety of audiences. Ability to develop a system of internal tracking and monitoring that identifies potential organizational risks related to handling or release of privacy protected information through trending and severity. This includes assisting service lines/departments in developing appropriate processes that mirror the goals of the facility. Work schedule: M-F 8:00a to 4:30p or 7:30a to 4:00p Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not available 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. Position Description Title/PD#: Government Information Specialist (TCF Trainee)/99618S

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/08/2024. 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 9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS 7.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. 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 for the GS 9 based on education and/or experience as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: interpreting the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (FOIA and PA) applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines in order to make determinations concerning the release of records; preparing responses for external stakeholders to include formal FOIA/PA responses that present research findings to address inquiries of the information requestor (internal and external), management and high level officials to include congressional inquiries; and maintaining FOIA/PA databases for filing, protection, and retrieval of records. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a related field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. For example, an applicant with 6 months of appropriate specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-09) and 1 year of successfully completed graduate education (18 semester hours), as is describe above, (50 percent of the education requirement for the GS-09) would qualify for a GS-09 position. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Information Management Accountability Customer Service Teamwork 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

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 VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]