This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. Incumbent serves as a Government Information Specialist responsible for analyzing and evaluating requests for information under FOIA and PA.
This is a Competitive Service position; additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of the General Counsel, Executive Office for Immigration Review, U. S. Department of Justice. Incumbent serves as a Government Information Specialist responsible for analyzing and evaluating requests for information under FOIA and PA.
This is a Competitive Service position; additional positions may be filled from this announcement within 90 days of certificate issuance.
You may apply if you are a Status Candidate (Merit Promotion, VEOA, Land Management Eligible) and/or a Non-Competitive Hiring Authority Eligible (VRA-If GS-11 or below position, 30% Disabled Veteran, Certain Military Spouse, Schedule A, Certain Peace Corps/VISTA Employee/Volunteer, Certain Former Overseas Employee, Foreign Service Employee, CTAP/ICTAP, Interchange Agreement Employee, or if you are employed under a Miscellaneous Authority not regulated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.)
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Coordinates the processing and release of information responsive to request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA).
Analyzes data for response to FOIA requests and discovery and information related to requests in litigation and/or emanating from audits and investigations.
Analyzes and researches precedents and regulations regarding requests not clearly covered by the FOIA/PA to determine the proper course of action.
Coordinates assessments of highly complex FOIA actions.
Presents recommendations for the resolution of the
dispute to supervisor or directly to the parties involved on matters involving unsatisfied responses to FOIA requests.
As the Federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
You must complete a background investigation, credit check, and drug test.
Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply section).
A one year probationary period may be required, if not already met.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Regarding vaccinations for COVID-19 (see Additional Information section)
Qualifications
In order to qualify for the Government Information Specialist position, you must meet the following time in grade requirements and minimum qualifications:
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.(Please submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. If your eligibility for both merit promotion and/or time-in-grade cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible. Please see Required Documents for additional information). Time-in-grade requirements also apply to VEOA applicants having held a GS position in the past year.
AND
FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:
Assisting with reviewing request under the FOIA/ (PA) ;
Analyzing data for response to FOIA requests and discovery and other requests related to litigation and or emanating from audits and investigations;
Conducting extensive and complex record searches; and
Executing and developing final appeal package for review.
(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)
-OR-
Education: Applicants must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three (3) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in law, business or government. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts and identify qualifying coursework for verification. NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.
-OR-
Combination: Applicants must have the appropriate combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience. To determine combination, first compute experience as a percentage of the experience listed in A above; then determine education as a percentage of the education listed in B above; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate education in excess two full years (36 hours) may be used to qualify. NOTE: Applicants must submit a copy of their transcripts for verification.
-OR-
FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL:
Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one or more full-time years (12-months) of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, performing the following duties:
Reviewing and analyzing appeals requested under FOIA/PA;
Analyzing and researching precedents and regulations regarding requests not clearly coved by FOIA/PA to determine the proper course of action;
Serving as a liaison to external customer and receipts to clarify and resolve issues; and
Providing work product consistent with established organizational programs, polices, and/or operations.
(Your resume must CLEARLY demonstrate this experience)
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.
Education
ARE YOU USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: Education must be accredited by an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Applicants can verify accreditation by clicking here. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. (Note: If you are selected for this position based on education, an official transcript will be required, prior to your first day.) You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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, click here.
Translated transcripts are required.
Additional information
This position is open to Competitive Merit Promotion, Non-Competitive, and Special Hiring Authority eligibles. You must meet the requirements for one of the following categories to be eligible.
1. A current permanent competitive service employee; former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service; or former Federal employee who served on a career conditional appointment without achieving career status in the competitive service who was separated less than three years ago. You must submit an SF-50 that reflects career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
2. A Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. NOTE: Current career/career conditional Federal employees applying under VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show they meet time-in-grade.
3. A 30% or more Disabled Veteran: You must submit your DD214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later.
4. Military spouses are eligible if their active duty military spouse: 1) receives a Permanent Change of Station move; 2) has a 100% disability rating; or 3) died while on active duty. Please submit supporting documentation.
5. Schedule A: The DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal opportunity to be hired and advanced based on merit. To be considered for a Schedule A appointment, you must submit proof of your disability. This proof may be in the form of documentation obtained from licensed medical professionals, state or private vocational rehabilitation specialists, or any Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. You must submit valid documentation regardless of the date of determination of your disability. Proof of disability documentation needs to specify that you are eligible to apply using Schedule A. It does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history or need for accommodation. To view sample Schedule A proof of disability letters click here.The Schedule A letter must be separate from any Veterans' Preference documentation.
6. A former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers Appointment. Please submit documentation to be considered.
8. A current or former Land Management Bureau employee who has served at least 24 months under a time-limited competitive appointment who is eligible for appointment under the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
9. Veterans eligible for a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA). You must submit a copy of your DD-214. NOTE: VRA only applies to positions at the GS-11 level and below.
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.
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.
Applicants applying under merit promotion procedures will be rated in accordance with the EOIR's Merit Staffing plan. Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.
You will be rated based on the following knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs) or competencies:
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
Manages and Organizes Information
Oral Communication
Problem Solving
Research
Writing
NOTE: In order to be rated as meeting the minimum qualifications, we must be able to determine from your application package that you have the education and/or specialized experience that is required. Your resume MUST contain your full name, some form of contact information (phone number, email address and/or living address), and the following employment information:
Employer name and location for each position held.
From and to dates (MM/YY-MM/YY or from MM/YY to "present") for each position held. The month and year is required to fully credit your time.
For part-time positions, please include number of hours worked per week, positions that do not include this information will be assumed as full-time (40 hours a week).
Grade/levels held for each Federal position. (Ex. GS-11; IR-06; FV-G; etc.)
Detailed descriptions of experience under each position held. (Applicants must provide specific supporting examples to show that they meet the qualifications of the position shown in the announcement.)
Any submitted documents not required or requested for this vacancy will not be considered (i.e. training certificates, case filings, letter of recommendations, etc.).
(ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION PRIOR TO FINAL SELECTION.)
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by the closing date of this announcement, which includes:
1. Your Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. (Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section)
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Transcripts, if qualifying based on education. (Must include your name, college name and address, courses, dates attended, major and degree, cumulative grade point average (GPA), any honors received, and date the degree was awarded/conferred.)
4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable to you.
Current and Former Federal Employees:
Must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service (block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 and block 34 must contain a 1), highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade. If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade. Examples of qualifying SF-50s: Promotion, WIG, new appointment, and SF-50s dated more than one year. You may have to submit multiple SF-50s. If your eligibility for both merit promotion and/or time-in-grade cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a DD214,"Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and separation under honorable conditions. Active Duty Service Members expected to be released or discharged from active duty service may submit a written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Without this documentation, you will not receive tentative veterans' preference and your application will be evaluated based on the job application materials submitted. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on service-connected disability, award of the Purple Heart, or derived preference, in addition to the DD214 or certification requirements described in the above bullet, you must also submit an SF15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference," and required documentation that is acceptable proof of your claim for preference. (e.g. An official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying the veteran's service-connected disability and combined disability rating.) For more information on Veterans' Preference click here.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP/ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), most recent performance appraisal, SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, full performance level, and duty location with your application. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility click here.
Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Note: Multiple selections may be made from this announcement. Salaries above are an approximation.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information: The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for federal employees pursuant to Executive Order 14043 does not currently apply. Some jobs, however, may be subject to agency- or job-specific vaccination requirements, so please review the job announcement for details. To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the federal government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply.
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.
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire, which can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11599320.
* Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Office of the General Counsel
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview. You will receive notice via email once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).
You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status".
The amount of notices that each applicant receives may vary. The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met
Eligible (Application Referred) or Ineligible (Application Not referred)
Selected or Not Selected
Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package by the closing date of this announcement, which includes:
1. Your Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. (Please see the How You Will Be Evaluated section)
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire.
3. Transcripts, if qualifying based on education. (Must include your name, college name and address, courses, dates attended, major and degree, cumulative grade point average (GPA), any honors received, and date the degree was awarded/conferred.)
4. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable to you.
Current and Former Federal Employees:
Must submit your most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service (block 24 must contain a 1 or 2 and block 34 must contain a 1), highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade. If your current grade is not your highest permanent grade, submit an additional SF-50 showing your highest grade. Examples of qualifying SF-50s: Promotion, WIG, new appointment, and SF-50s dated more than one year. You may have to submit multiple SF-50s. If your eligibility for both merit promotion and/or time-in-grade cannot be determined, your application will be rated ineligible.
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit a DD214,"Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and separation under honorable conditions. Active Duty Service Members expected to be released or discharged from active duty service may submit a written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. Without this documentation, you will not receive tentative veterans' preference and your application will be evaluated based on the job application materials submitted. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment.
If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference based on service-connected disability, award of the Purple Heart, or derived preference, in addition to the DD214 or certification requirements described in the above bullet, you must also submit an SF15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference," and required documentation that is acceptable proof of your claim for preference. (e.g. An official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying the veteran's service-connected disability and combined disability rating.) For more information on Veterans' Preference click here.
Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP/ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), most recent performance appraisal, SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, full performance level, and duty location with your application. For more information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility click here.
Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
Note: Multiple selections may be made from this announcement. Salaries above are an approximation.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information: The COVID-19 vaccination requirement for federal employees pursuant to Executive Order 14043 does not currently apply. Some jobs, however, may be subject to agency- or job-specific vaccination requirements, so please review the job announcement for details. To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the federal government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply.
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.
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of this announcement.
* To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire, which can be previewed here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11599320.
* Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
* It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
* To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
* To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Office of the General Counsel
5107 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. Based upon your score, you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview. You will receive notice via email once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).
You will be notified of your application status at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You may check your application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking "Application Status".
The amount of notices that each applicant receives may vary. The four points of notification are:
Application Received or Application Incomplete
Minimum Qualification Requirement Met/Not Met
Eligible (Application Referred) or Ineligible (Application Not referred)
Selected or Not Selected
Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
