Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the top 10% of all agency subcomponents, the Office of Inspector General is an independent office providing independent oversight to promote accountability, integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within the DOI. We offer exceptional work-life benefits, including flexible work schedules, a robust telework program, ample training opportunities, and a comprehensive employee recognition program.

Duties

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a Government Information Specialist to join our team in supporting our commitment to transparency and compliance. OGC provides independent legal advice and training to the Inspector General and OIG staff, covering the full range of activities within the OIG, including investigations, audits, inspections, and evaluations. OGC manages the OIG ethics, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), and record retention programs. As a Government Information Specialist, you will be a part of the Information Law Division, responding to and managing requests made under the FOIA and PA, as well as other information disclosure requests. Your responsibilities include: Serving as a subject matter expert on reviewing, analyzing, and adjudicating FOIA and PA requests. This includes intaking requests, evaluating the request, processing records, and responding to requests in a timely manner; reviewing, analyzing, and adjudicating records subject to public disclosure; and applying relevant law and regulations to determine whether information can be disclosed. Upon intake, evaluating requests for case tracking categorization, fee determination, and expedited processing; interpreting the scope of FOIA and PA requests; ensuring that reasonable searches are conducted and properly documented; applying legally defensible withholdings and exclusions in accordance with the FOIA and the PA; and adjudicating complex FOIA and PA requests in a timely manner. Drafting a variety of FOIA/PA acknowledgement and determination letters and related correspondence; preparing reports for internal and external distribution; maintaining accurate electronic case files and disposing of records according to applicable schedules. Serving as the FOIA public liaison to narrow requests and explain responses to requestors; coordinating with FOIA professionals from other agencies regarding referrals, consults, and misdirected requests; presenting updates and trainings to OIG staff; in response to FOIA/PA requests, engaging with OIG personnel to determine potentially responsive records and advising on executing reasonable searches, documenting searches, and transferring records.

Requirements

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates (Federal employees) must meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date. 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; religious; 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. Minimum Qualifications GS-11: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess one of the following: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of an LL.M. degree, if related, in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the position; One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service performing all of the following: assisting requestors with a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act (PA) request and entering and retrieving data in an automated database tool, such as Microsoft Excel, to track FOIA or PA request statuses; OR A combination of education and experience, as listed above. Note: If using education to qualify, transcripts are required at the time of application. Minimum Qualifications GS-12: To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service performing all of the following Receiving, responding to, and tracking FOIA or PA requests, Analyzing and redacting information in compliance with information disclosure rules and procedures, AND Compiling responsive documentation in response to FOIA or PA requests. Note: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level. Minimum Qualifications GS-13: To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing all of the following Reviewing FOIA or PA release packages, Authoring final responses or reviewing responses prepared by others to FOIA or PA information requests, AND Resolving FOIA or PA-related issues with external customers, such as the media, Congress, or members of the public Note: There is no substitution of education for experience at this level.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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 further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Contacts

• Address OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL 1849 C St. Washington, DC 20240 US
• Name: HR Assistant
• Phone: 703-487-5408
• Email: [email protected]