The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Executive Secretariat and Regulatory Affairs, Washington, D.C. within the Office of the Secretary. This position is being advertised as both location negotiable after selection and with a duty station(s) of Washington DC with the option of telework. If applying to "negotiable after selection", this means that your duty station will be based off your home address, and you will be a full-time remote worker. If applying to a specific duty station, you may be allowed to telework a set number of day(s) per pay period, with supervisory approval. At the full performance level (GS-13) the major duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: 1. Interpret the scope of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, including the identification of the types of records being sought by the requester and conducting review of the records, ensure that reasonable, properly documented searches are conducted for responsive records, and conducting review of the records to apply the law, consistent with FOIA and DOI guidance. 2. Process and respond to FOIA requests utilizing electronic tools to search and collect responsive documents and to assemble, review, analyze, and prepare responses in a manner that is accurate and compliant with the FOIA. 3. Maintain accurate manual and electronic FOIA case files and perform periodic discarding of files in accordance with applicable records disposition schedules. 4. In coordination with staff from DOI's Office of the Solicitor (SOL), conduct complex analyses of FOIA matters, prepare FOIA correspondence, and serve as a liaison to external FOIA requesters and internal Department employees in resolving issues related to FOIA requests, processes, or procedures. 5. Assist in coordination of FOIA requests with congressional and court-ordered record productions for the Office of the Secretary. 6. Assist the SOL or other government attorneys in the preparation of the agency's defense in litigation. Salary Range Information: Washington DC: GS-13: $117,962- $153,354; GS-12: $99,200- $128,956 per annum. Virtual Location: GS-13: $103,409-$167,336; GS-12: $86,962-$140,713 per annum. Locality Pay will be set after selection. First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available. OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying. (1) Specialized Experience To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) Independently conducting analytical work processing requests for information and records under the FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) through research, analysis, and proper application of FOIA exemptions; (2) Preparing written responses to FOIA requests, appeals, and litigation for review and approval by senior personnel; (3) Create and maintain information in an automated tracking system to manage FOIA requests and records to report on their status; (4) Utilizing electronic tools to search for, and collect, FOIA-requested records and performing critical reviews and analyses to determine their responsiveness, whether one or more FOIA exemptions apply to the records, and whether foreseeable harm would result from their release in a timely manner; AND (5) Preparing FOIA correspondence such as acknowledgment letters, time extension letters, and interim and final response letters. To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (1) Independently conducting analytical work processing requests for information and records under the FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) through research, analysis, and proper application of FOIA exemptions; (2) Independently preparing written responses to FOIA requests, appeals, and litigation for review and approval by senior personnel. (3) Create and maintain information in an automated tracking system to manage FOIA requests and records to report on their status; (4) Utilizing electronic tools to search for, and collect, FOIA-requested records and performing critical reviews and analyses to determine their responsiveness, whether one or more FOIA exemptions apply to the records, and whether foreseeable harm would result from their release in a timely manner; (5) Independently communicating verbally and in writing with supervisors, Departmental stakeholders and leadership, and other organizations regarding FOIA issues, including the preparation of FOIA correspondence such as acknowledgment letters, time extension letters, and interim and final response letters; AND (6) Independently conducting quality control reviews of proposed withholdings for accuracy and compliance before the Department's response is issued to the FOIA requester with minimal supervisory oversight. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166 US
• Name: Maritza Lupercio
• Phone: 805-384-6250
• Email: [email protected]