Government Information Specialist

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations.

This position is in located in the Information Law and Disclosure Division (ILD), Office of Counsel (OC), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The OIG has statutory oversight responsibility for the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight responsibility includes conducting and reporting on audits, inspections, investigations, and special inquiries for all overseas and domestic organizational entities of the Department, as well as all Department employees, contractors, and grantees.

The range of legal duties include: Assisting in administering the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy ACT (PA), ensuring each request follows the appropriate process. Responding to matters that require sensitivity to competing public and private interests and policies. Researching FOIA/Privacy Act laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures. Conduct initial review for decisions on fees/fee waivers and expedited review request.

Recommend new initiatives or policy procedure changes to address existing or potential problems pertaining to OIG and DHS FOIA administration.

Minimum Qualifications GS-09: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Maintains legally sufficient electronic FOIA databases and hard copy files of all disclosure request documents. Researches and provides explanation for responses to requests by individuals seeking amendments to their records in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Assists in preparation of final appellate determinations, soundly based on established law and policy, upholding, remanding, or overturning initial determinations. OR Education: Successful completion of a master's degree (or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education) if related, from an accredited college or university. Such education must be directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed one year of graduate level education and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Minimum Qualifications GS-11: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates responsive records to determine whether they may be released in full, released with redactions, or withheld in full, consistent with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) statutes, regulations, and applicable guidance.

Prepares legally sufficient acknowledgment, time-extension, interim, and final determination letters in accordance with FOIA requirements and established procedures. Researches and responds to routine inquiries regarding the release or withholding of information, applying relevant FOIA/PA provisions and agency guidance. OR Education: Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related, from an accredited college or university.

Such education must be directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level.

The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of the Government Information Specialist - Privacy/Freedom of Information Act Officer position and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work and must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

Minimum Qualifications GS-12: Must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position includes: Develops and maintains legally sufficient electronic FOIA databases and systems of records notices to be published in the Federal Register. Researches and evaluates requests for disclosure of information submitted by individuals and public- and private-sector entities, applying relevant FOIA, Privacy Act, and disclosure requirements.

Redacts materials determined to be withholdable under the FOIA consistent with applicable exemptions and prepares responses for the signature. 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. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date of this announcement.