This position is with the U.S Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Syracuse Area Office. This position is inside the bargaining unit.
This position is with the U.S Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Syracuse Area Office. This position is inside the bargaining unit.
This position is open to all U.S. citizens and ICTAP eligible candidates in the local commuting area.
Serves as a FOIA expert and coordinator in the Area Office, ensuring that requests are processed in accordance with FOIA and Privacy Act regulations, as well as internal procedures. Responds to FOIA requests region-wide; requests the appropriate computer reports to obtain the requested information; reviews all applicable regulations to determine appropriate exemptions to be used; and redacts documents according to the regulations. Prepares correspondence regarding exemptions taken, releasing trade secret information, responses to appeals, etc. Independently analyzes and clarifies FOIA requests and determines appropriate responses. Obtains information on inspections or investigations by means of record searches, automated information retrieval, telephone inquiries, and case file reviews. These include computer reports based on OSHA inspection history, violation types, Standard Industrial Classification codes, North American Industrial Classification System codes, etc. Provides the information to authorized requesters under FOIA. Redacts information in accordance with the FOIA and implements regulations to ensure that only releasable information is divulged. Determines cost for this service and completes the appropriate paperwork to send to requester for payment of fee. Sends releasable information to requestor; receives and processes payment of monies as prescribed by agency procedures. As needed, performs front desk receptionist and administrative support work for the Area Office. Receives visitors and telephone calls; identifies the caller and the purpose of the call as appropriate. Refers the caller to the appropriate source or handles the matter personally if the call does not require extensive safety and health technical knowledge. Assists in the processing, receiving and sorting of outgoing and incoming Regional Office mail and express delivery service packages. Performs routine records management, filing, and other office administrative duties in accordance with prescribed guidance and regulations.
Applicants may be required to provide a writing sample at the interviews.
Applicants must meet either the specialized experience or substitution of education for specialized experience described below.
Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level which demonstrates: Processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA) requests for access to an organizations records; utilizing the rules and regulations regarding FOIA and PA; researching, analyzing, and evaluating data for response to information requests; assembling and reviewing proposed FOIA release packages and applying appropriate FOIA exemptions; reviewing and analyzing appeals from denials of access to records requested under FOIA and recommending final agency decision on release/non-release of records; reviewing and coordinating FOIA and PA requests with issues that require interpretation and adaption of guidance, and identifying and analyzing organizational policy and regulations; drafting FOIA and PA responses and reports.
OR,
Substitution of Education: a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in public administration, public policies, legal studies, international relations, political science, business administration, human resources management, labor management, etc. with courses related to the work of the position, , or an LL.B. or J.D.
Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.
If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum course work requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be evaluated against the evaluation factors below and will be placed into a category based on your vacancy question responses.
Categories:
Category A - Best-qualified
Category B - Well-qualified
Category C - Qualified
Evaluation Factors (Competencies) - All qualified applicants will be evaluated on the following key competencies:
Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Information Management: Identifies a need for and knows where or how to gather information; organizes and maintains information or information management systems.
Reasoning: Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
Communication: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material that is appropriate for the intended audience. Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Administrative and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.
The information you provide may be verified by a review of your work experience and/or education, by checking references and through other means (ex. interview). The examining Human Resources Office (HRO) makes the final determination concerning applicant ratings. Your resume MUST provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses to the vacancy questions. If not, the HRO may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency indicated by the content of your resume. Your evaluation may also include a review by a Human Resources Specialist or panel and may include other assessments (ex. interview, panel review, written test, writing sample, etc.)
INFORMATION FOR ICTAP/CTAP ELIGIBLES ONLY: If you are eligible for special priority selection under ICTAP/CTAP, you must be well-qualified for the position to receive consideration. ICTAP/CTAP eligibles who are placed into Category B or higher will be considered "well-qualified".
Click Application of Veterans Preference for Category Rating Jobs for more information.
The following documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the vacancy closing date. You are not required to submit a document if it does not apply to you. Warning: If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission. Also, do not upload password protected documents.
- Veterans Documents (if applicable): To be considered as a 5-point preference eligible, you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty, DD214. Your DD-214 must show the type of discharge and dates of active duty. To claim 10-point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD214; an Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference, SF15; and the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. (For active duty service members expecting honorable or general discharge or release within 120 days, click Active Duty). Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference. For more information, go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/hire/hrp/vetguide/index.aspx
- Displaced Employee Placement Documents – Only required if requesting priority consideration under CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
- Cover Letters are not mandatory and will not be used to verify experience, but may be submitted
Applicants selected for employment who are not current DOL employees will be required to provide proof of citizenship, and the E-Verify system will be used to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section.
Follow the steps below to apply. Your application and ALL required supplemental documents MUST be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the vacancy closing date to receive consideration. Paper applications and supplemental documents submitted in any other manner without prior approval from the vacancy contact will not be considered. Click here for information on Reasonable Accommodations.
SAVE your information before the 30 MINUTE TIMEOUT! For help, go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/.
STEP 1 - Create USAJOBS Account on www.usajobs.gov, including Resume and Saved Documents
Your resume must provide sufficient information to substantiate your responses in the self-assessment vacancy questions. If not, HR may amend your responses to more accurately reflect the competency indicated by resume content. FOR EACH EMPLOYMENT PERIOD, include: start/end month & year and note full-time or part-time (if part-time, include # of hours worked per week); otherwise, your application may be considered incomplete.
STEP 2 - Complete the 1st part of the application process (USAJOBS)
Once you have identified a job on www.usajobs.gov that you wish to apply for, click on the title and click the Apply button . For questions about the vacancy, contact the Agency Contact at the bottom of the announcement. Click “Start Application” and proceed through 5 steps noted at the top of the USAJOBS page. You will be able to select a resume and documents from your USAJOBS Account that you can submit as a package as part of your DOL application. At Step 5, click “Continue to Agency Site”.
STEP 3 – Complete the 2nd part of the application process (DOL)
On the Department of Labor (DOL) page, create a DOL Account if you have not already and click “APPLY TO THIS VACANCY”. Continue through the 7 progress steps indicated by circles at the top of the DOL page. The 3rd progress step is where you answer the vacancy specific questions. The 4th progress step "Documents" is where you submit required documents (only if applicable to you) specified in the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy. If you submit a document using the same document title, the 2nd submission will OVERWRITE the 1st submission.
STEP 4 – On the “Review and Submit” step, click “Submit Application”
The last “Confirmation” step will turn green noting that your application was submitted successfully.
STEP 5 - Edit Application as needed by 11:59 pm ET of Closing Date by returning to USAJOBS, clicking the vacancy, then “Update Application”.
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and refer candidates for selection consideration. Candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome. A selection is expected to be made within 30 calendar days from the issuance date of the certificate.
For instructions on how to check the status of your application, go to Step 7 on: Using DOORS and USAJOBS Help Guide. To sign up for Application Status Updates via email: Click Here for instructions.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
