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Government Information Specialist

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.

This position is a remote position, duty location will be determined on selection. Salary indicated in the announcement is based on the Rest of US scale but salary will be determined on selection based on applicable locality rates.

We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/30/2024 to 03/31/2024
This job will close when we have received 30 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$86,962 to - $113,047 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)
Remote job
Yes
Telework eligible
Not applicable, this is a remote position.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
NV-Merit-24-12371727-JP
Control number
784336900

Duties

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  • Manages the State's FOIA/Privacy program and serves as the designated expert on FOIA and Privacy case law, litigation and discovery.
  • Develops long-range resource and project plans; ensures proper development of local FOIA/Privacy programs, staffs and processes; develops and provides technical training to FOIA/Privacy Officers and Coordinators.
  • Provides technical expertise and work review for statewide FOIA/Privacy personnel; develops policies, standards and guidance to manage all external access to agency information; provides FOIA/Privacy training to all employees.
  • Analyzes complex FOIA requests, which cross program/agency boundaries, to determine if they are in compliance with FOIA/agency regulations; reviews/analyzes records to determine if any of FOIA exemptions apply, prepares responses to FOIA requests.
  • Drafts responses for precedent-setting FOIA requests, and recommends innovative approaches for resolving information disclosure issues.
  • Negotiates issues regarding scope, fees, exemptions, deadlines and other sensitive matters, communicating with the Solicitor's Office and requestors (e.g., individuals, law firms, environmental groups, and ranchers).
  • Coordinates with Office of External Affairs on requests from news media; coordinates within DOI and other Government agencies such as Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
  • Serves as the primary contact for the Office of the Solicitor regarding FOIA/Privacy matters.
  • Prepares final response letters/related correspondence, e.g., acknowledgement letters, time extension letters and requests for clarification; adapts standard language to fit particular responses; briefs management on controversial/sensitive requires.
  • Coordinates with other bureaus and offices where appropriate to ensure consistency in document releases and responses, including consistency in fee waiver determinations.
  • Develops long-range resource and project plans to meet Bureau and State goals and objectives; ensures proper development of local records programs, staffs and processes; guides development and provision of training to records managers.
  • Directs records program reviews; develops policies, standards and guidance for the administration of agency records. Conducts analyses of new and proposed legislation and regulations to determine the impact on program operations.
  • Provides advice on potential benefit/uses of automation initiatives to improve efficiency of administrative support or program operations.
  • Provides technical guidance to the Records Management Specialist on all matters pertaining to FOIA, Privacy Act, Records Administration, and Indian Trust Administration.
  • Receives and responds to requests pertaining to Indian Trust data. Coordinates responses where multiple offices are involved. Communicates orally/in writing on information policies/procedures/rules/regulations pertaining to Indian Trust data.
  • Develops statewide policy, procedures and guidelines regarding the dissemination, use, accessibility, and availability of Indian Trust data.
  • Works directly with the State Information Systems Manager, the Bureau Records Administrator, and the Bureau Indian Trust Officer to develop and implement national administrative policy and procedures pertaining to Indian Trust data within the state.
  • Serves as the authority for Indian Trust data administration policy formulation pertaining to the dissemination, use, accessibility, and availability of Indian trust data, and provides statewide leadership in these matters.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship 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.
  • Appointment will be subject to a favorably adjudicated background/suitability investigation/determination.
  • Your resume must contain enough information to show that you meet the qualification requirements as defined in the announcement. In addition, your responses to the questions must adequately reflect in your resume.
  • May require a one year probationary period.
  • If selected for this position you will need to complete the Federal Information Systems Security Awareness (FISSA) training prior to start date.

Qualifications

In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.

You must possess one (1) full year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 level that is equivalent in difficulty and complexity as indicated by the following examples: Demonstrated expertise in researching, analyzing and interpreting FOIA and Privacy Act statues, regulations, policies and precedents of a complex and controversial nature; serving as a technical expert in resolving extremely complex policy and program issues and advisor to senior management/staff regarding FOIA statues, regulations and directives; using extensive knowledge of the requirements of FOIA case law, regulations and policies to determine the relevance and applicability of extremely complex requests; developing/creating comprehensive responses to requests for information.

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.

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 in accordance with 5 CFR 300.604. If you are a current Federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.

Education

This position falls under the OPM Qualification Standard for Government information series, 0306 and is covered by the group standards of Administrative and Management positions.

There is no substitution for education at the GS-12 level.

Additional information

DOI uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit E-Verify.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/lnteragency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well qualified for the position with a score of 90 or above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information: CTAP or ICTAP

Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid by the Department of the Interior. Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the responsibility of the selected employee.

Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. If eligible and qualified, you may be offered a recruitment or relocation incentive. The decision to offer an incentive will be made on a case-by-case basis and is neither promised nor guaranteed. For information visit: Recruitment Incentive or Relocation Incentive or Student Loan Repayment.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, we will review your application to ensure you meet the job requirements. To determine if you are qualified for this job, a review of your resume, supporting documentation and responses to the online questionnaire will be made. Your responses to the online questionnaire will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for this position. However, your resume must support your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. The best qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be contacted for an interview.

Your answers to the online questionnaire will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas:

  • Clerical
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Competence
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Judgement
  • Interaction
In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

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