All current or former federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; Veteran Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles; Persons eligible under Special Hiring Authorities (IE-Schedule A, 30% disabled Veteran, Peace Corps/VISTA, PLC, etc.) CTAP/ICTAP eligibles in the local commuting area are also eligible to apply. Please see “Required Documentation” for more information on what documents you may need to provide to confirm your eligibility for this position.
This position serves as a Government Information Specialist for the Utah State Office, Division of Support Services. The incumbent serves as the principal staff advisor to the State Leadership Team in the program areas of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA). This position manages the State’s FOIA/Privacy Act Program and serves as the State’s designated expert on FOIA/Privacy Act Case law. Major duties include but are not limited to:
Responsible for developing and implementing FOIA and PA policy and providing technical and administrative guidance for State’s FOIA and PA activities to the field offices.
Analyzes a variety of complex FOIA requests to determine their compliance with agency regulations.
Creates and maintains manual and electronic FOIA case files with all required documentation in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Prepares draft and final response letters and related correspondence for FOIA requests.
Works with and assists the DOI's FOIA Appeals Officer and the Regional Solicitor's Office to provide information on justification for denials to the appropriate attorney or representative.
Communicates effectively with all levels of the BLM (program offices, other bureaus, legal staff and management) and the DOI in responding to FOIA requests.
Evaluates any confidential personal records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Conducts all planning and coordination for educational training sessions on PA policies, and reviews and evaluates the privacy program for any office in need of assistance.
Physical demands: The work is primarily sedentary. Some lifting (up to 40 pounds) and ladder/step stool usage will be required. Incumbent will work under tight deadlines and will be exposed to stressful situations. Intense concentration is expected during periods of analyses and writing.
Work environment: Work is in an office setting with some travel required. Incumbent will adhere to all safety rules and regulations as prescribed in manuals/supplements or by the designated Safety Officer.
Security Clearance/Background Investigation is required.
Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections.
You cannot hold an active real estate license; nor can you
have an interest or hold stocks in firms with interest in Federal Lands.
Direct Deposit Required.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade requirement. Time-In-Grade for the GS-12 level is 52 weeks at the GS-11 level.
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the specialized experience requirement – please be sure to include this information in your resume. To be creditable, this experience must have been equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade.
In addition to the time-in-grade requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must meet the following:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Government Information Specialist. Specialized experience includes assisting subject matter experts by giving instruction in providing thorough and prompt responses to FOIA requests; experience in dealing with simple, normal, complex and voluminous FOIA requests; and communicating information to a diverse audience.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the specialized experience as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must be adequately reflected in your resume.
Additional information
The Bureau of Land Management has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during an emergency or natural disaster.
This position may require completion of a one year probationary period.
Selective Service: Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. To register or verify your registration go to the Selective Service System website.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
If selected for this position you may be subject to complete or renew a background investigation. Failure to satisfy the preliminary background check will result in cancellation of the tentative job offer. Should you be placed into the position, failure to satisfy the full investigation requirements may be grounds for termination.
BLM may use certain incentives, currently offered by the Federal government, to attract high quality applicants.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. Information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at CTAP or ICTAP. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration or that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) This vacancy is within your CTAP/ICTAP eligibility; 2) You apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) You are found well-qualified for this vacancy. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they earn a minimum score of 90 on the rating criteria for this position.
Reemployment Priority List (RPL): The RPL is the mechanism agencies use to give reemployment consideration to their former competitive service employees separated by a RIF or who have fully recovered from a compensable injury after more than one year. If you are currently on a Reemployment Priority List, you may be given priority consideration.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at Federal Benefits at USAJOBS.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After the vacancy closes, a review of your application will be made to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your rating will be based on your responses to the Job Specific Questionnaire and the information stated in your resume. If qualified, your score may range from 70-100 points. In addition, interviews may be conducted for this position. The interviews may be conducted on a pass/fail basis or may be scored. The job specific questions relate to the following knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the work of this position:
KSA1: Knowledge of diverse bureau missions, functions, goals, and objectives.
KSA 2: Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and precedents relating to the FOIA, and ability to search, locate and interpret the intent of guidelines that do not address problems and issues adequately.
KSA 3: Ability to communicate technical and non-technical information to a diverse audience.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
To explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's website at Federal Benefits at USAJOBS.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you may be required to submit the following forms as applicable. Failure to provide the applicable required documents will result in no further consideration for this vacancy:
If you are a current or former federal career and career-conditional employee: You must provide a copy of your last or most recent non-award SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” to indicate your current/former Federal status. If your current SF-50 does not confer status or time-in-grade, you must submit an additional SF-50(s) that clearly demonstrates Federal status and/or that you have met the time-in-grade requirements. For additional information, click here: Time-in-Grade requirements or Reinstatement eligibility.
VEOA: To be eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) you must be a preference eligible Veteran OR a Veteran separated from the Armed Forces after 3 or more years of continuous active duty service performed under honorable conditions. A Veteran who is separated 30 days or less prior to the completion of the 3 year active duty service requirement will be eligible to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. You must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service.
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you should indicate the level of Veterans' Preference you are claiming on your resume. If you are claiming 0-point Sole Survivorship Veterans’ Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference. If you are claiming 5-point Veterans’ Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service. If you are claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, in addition to your DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). Missing documentation may result in a change or removal of your claim for Veteran’s preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference can be found in the VetGuide. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide certification from your command that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date your application is submitted. Additional information regarding Veterans Preference or active duty military can be found here.
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a noncompetitive or special appointing authority (e.g.Schedule A, 30% disabled Veteran, Military Spouse, Peace Corps/VISTA, PLC, etc), you MUST submit proof of this eligibility. For more information please click here.
CTAP/ICTAP: If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
Uploading and Faxing Supplemental Documentation: You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options. Only one document can be saved in each section, and only the latest document will be maintained in the system. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items:
1 Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; and 2 Your resume; and 3 Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
HOW TO APPLY:
We recommend you use the resume builder in USAJobs.Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS. If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet), you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Utah State Office, (UT-953SN)
440 West 200 South
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
United States
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes and a referral certificate is issued, an electronic notification will be sent to the email address you provided to notify you of your status. You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
In addition to the online application (resume and responses to the questionnaire), you may be required to submit the following forms as applicable. Failure to provide the applicable required documents will result in no further consideration for this vacancy:
If you are a current or former federal career and career-conditional employee: You must provide a copy of your last or most recent non-award SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action” to indicate your current/former Federal status. If your current SF-50 does not confer status or time-in-grade, you must submit an additional SF-50(s) that clearly demonstrates Federal status and/or that you have met the time-in-grade requirements. For additional information, click here: Time-in-Grade requirements or Reinstatement eligibility.
VEOA: To be eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) you must be a preference eligible Veteran OR a Veteran separated from the Armed Forces after 3 or more years of continuous active duty service performed under honorable conditions. A Veteran who is separated 30 days or less prior to the completion of the 3 year active duty service requirement will be eligible to receive consideration for this vacancy announcement. You must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service.
If you are claiming Veterans' Preference, you should indicate the level of Veterans' Preference you are claiming on your resume. If you are claiming 0-point Sole Survivorship Veterans’ Preference (SSP), please provide the documentation you received granting this preference. If you are claiming 5-point Veterans’ Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, confirming dates spent on active duty and your character of military service. If you are claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, in addition to your DD-214, you must submit documentation that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt of a Purple Heart). Missing documentation may result in a change or removal of your claim for Veteran’s preference. Additional information on Veterans' Preference can be found in the VetGuide. If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide certification from your command that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date your application is submitted. Additional information regarding Veterans Preference or active duty military can be found here.
If you are applying for this position based on eligibility under a noncompetitive or special appointing authority (e.g.Schedule A, 30% disabled Veteran, Military Spouse, Peace Corps/VISTA, PLC, etc), you MUST submit proof of this eligibility. For more information please click here.
CTAP/ICTAP: If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must submit a copy of the agency notice and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
Uploading and Faxing Supplemental Documentation: You may submit your documents either via Auto-Requested Fax or by uploading your documents from your USAJOBS Profile. Auto-Requested Fax: allows you to submit required documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your resume. Uploading Documents: instead of faxing your documents you may use the uploading procedures thru Applicant Manager. Do not use both options. Only one document can be saved in each section, and only the latest document will be maintained in the system. Hard copy paper supplemental documents, submitted without prior Human Resources approval, will be considered as an incomplete application. Required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, on the closing date of this announcement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes ALL of the following items:
1 Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire; and 2 Your resume; and 3 Applicable supporting documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
HOW TO APPLY:
We recommend you use the resume builder in USAJobs.Click on the button "Apply Online" and login to MY USAJOBS. If you haven't already registered with USAJOBS, the system will require you to create a user name and password, complete a questionnaire and upload, paste or type a resume into USAJOBS. If you have already registered with USAJOBS and forgot your login information, select the "Did you forget your username and/or password" link from the right side menu.
Your application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time by the closing date of this announcement.
If applying on-line poses a hardship for you (i.e. you do not have access to the internet), you must contact us prior to the closing date of the announcement for an alternative method of applying.
Bureau of Land Management
BLM Utah State Office, (UT-953SN)
440 West 200 South
Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
United States
Next steps
After the vacancy announcement closes and a referral certificate is issued, an electronic notification will be sent to the email address you provided to notify you of your status. You may also check the status of your application by viewing your MY USAJOBs account.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
