Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Government Information Specialist

General Services Administration
Office of General Counsel
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Government Information Specialist serves as an expert on all issues and matters pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Location of Position: General Services Administration (GSA), Office of the General Counsel (OGC), General Law Division

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.



Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/08/2024 to 02/22/2024
Salary
$86,962 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12 - 13
Location
Location Negotiable After Selection,
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for meetings, trainings and/or conferences.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
L-2024-0018
Control number
775630300

Videos

Duties

Help

This position has job functions that must be executed within a specific geographic location. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home). Positions include routine telework and remote work arrangements. The duty station of the selectee for this position can be anywhere in the U.S., including its territories and possessions, within the Eastern Time Zone.

MAJOR DUTIES:

GS-12:

  • Uses knowledge of the FOIA and implementing regulations and precedents to determine whether the agency's response is adequate, complete, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
  • Assembles and organizes information from a variety of sources, reviews information, reconciles conflicting data, and devises new or modified methods to respond to FOIA requests.
  • Responds to the public, the media, other agencies, and employees and officials of GSA who are seeking information about interpretation, policy, process,  procedure, and/or technical assistance concerning access laws administered by GSA.
  • Coordinates the preparation of responses to requests for agency information and records filed under the FOIA. 
  • Provides technical and administrative oversight concerning GSA documents, actions, policies, procedures, and database entries for subordinate activities and regional operating organizations.
  • Reviews and analyzes appeals from denials of access to records requested under the FOIA and withheld after initial review and/or the imposition of fees and recommends the final agency decision on release/non-release of records and whether to charge, reduce or waive fees.

GS-13:

  • Uses knowledge of the FOIA and implementing regulations and precedents to determine whether the agency's response is adequate, complete, and in compliance with all regulatory requirements.
  • Assembles and organizes information from a variety of sources, reviews information, reconciles conflicting data, and devises new or modified methods to respond to FOIA requests.
  • Evaluates new or modified legislation, proposed regulations, or agency guidance concerning the FOIA for projected impact on the organization's programs, services, and resources.
  • Applies a wide range of analytical methods to assess and improve the effectiveness and management of assigned Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processes, projects, and systems, as well as to respond to a myriad of requests for information.
  • Responds to the public, the media, other agencies, and employees and officials of GSA who are seeking information about interpretation, policy process,  procedure, and/or technical assistance concerning access laws administered by GSA.
  • Coordinates the preparation of responses to requests for agency information and records filed under the FOIA. 
  • Provides training and technical assistance to staff and program offices on the preparation of FOIA responses and the interpretation and application of FOIA requirements.
  • Reviews and analyzes appeals from denials of access to records requested under the FOIA and withheld after initial review and/or the imposition of fees and recommends the final agency decision on release/non-release of records and whether to charge, reduce or waive fees.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

For a brief video on creating a Federal resume, click here

The GS-12 salary range starts at $86,962  per year (based on Step 1, outside of locality pay areas) to $99,200 (includes Washington-Baltimore-Arlington-, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay). Locality pay will be determined once the duty location has been established.

The GS-13 salary range starts at $103,409  per year (based on Step 1, outside of locality pay areas) to $117,962 (includes Washington-Baltimore-Arlington-, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA locality pay). Locality pay will be determined once the duty location has been established.

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

To qualify for the GS 12, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service. Government Information Series GS-0306

To qualify for the GS 13, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service. Government Information Series GS-0306

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

GS-12:

Specialized experience is one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as applying organizational policies and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to coordinate staff in preparing timely agency/organizational response to FOIA requests, Congressional inquiries, and other executive correspondence.

GS-13

Specialized experience is one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as applying organizational policies and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulations to oversee and coordinate staff in preparing timely agency/organizational response to FOIA requests, Congressional inquiries, and other executive correspondence.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

Bargaining Unit Status
Bargaining Unit Status: 
- This position is eligible for the bargaining unit

Promotion Policy

If you are selected at a grade lower than the full performance level, you may be promoted up to that grade level without having to re-apply or compete against other applicants.

Relocation Not Paid

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.  

Travel – May be approved

Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

Management Rights

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

Diversity

GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations including: 
  • Valuing and embracing diversity, promoting equity, inclusion and accessibility, and expecting cultural competence; and
  • Fostering a work environment where all employees, customers and stakeholders feel respected and valued.
Our commitment is: 
  • Reflected in our policies, procedures and work environment;
  • Recognized by our employees, customers and stakeholders; and
  • Drives our efforts to recruit, attract, retain and engage the diverse workforce needed to achieve our mission.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your overall possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's).  Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.  

KSA's for GS-12:

  1. Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (PA) (5 U.S.C. 552a), as well as other applicable information access laws, pertinent court cases to determine what information may be withheld from the public.
  2. Knowledge of Federal laws, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to designated FOIAs, and compliance provisions, including the ability to assess potential problems to formulate recommendations regarding additional studies and alternative actions.
  3. Skill written communication to prepare defensible written conclusions on FOIA matters for members of the public or media taking into consideration the varying levels of complexity. 
  4. Skill in oral communication to explain  the determinations made regarding the release of information and the Freedom of Information Act policies taking into consideration the varying levels of complexity.
  5. Skill in interpersonal relations to present determinations, recommendations, and resolve issues with detailed justification to the public, the media and/or agency officials.

KSA's for GS-13:

In addition to the KSA's listed above for the GS 12, you will also be evaluated on the following:

  1. Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of assigned FOIA programs and operations relevant to organizational goals. 
  2. Skill in program analysis, management, and evaluation methodologies, along with research principles to perform studies impacting FOIA operations.

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan(ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.