The position is located within the Centralized Support Division (CSD) at the St. Louis VA Regional (VARO) in Overland, MO. As a Government Information Specialist (Privacy Officer) you will oversee all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and adherence to the RO's policies and procedures covering privacy and access of Veterans, Veteran dependents and employee information in compliance with federal and state laws and VA privacy practices (FOIA/PA laws)
Summary
The position is located within the Centralized Support Division (CSD) at the St. Louis VA Regional (VARO) in Overland, MO. As a Government Information Specialist (Privacy Officer) you will oversee all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and adherence to the RO's policies and procedures covering privacy and access of Veterans, Veteran dependents and employee information in compliance with federal and state laws and VA privacy practices (FOIA/PA laws)
This vacancy is open ONLY to Federal Employees (Competitive Service & Excepted Service); Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs; qualified former VA career-career conditional employee, Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), (ICTAP), Land Management, Military Spouse, Other - Interchange Eligibilities , (Reinstatement), (Transfer), (VEOA).
Serve as the Regional Office and CSD FOIA/Privacy Officer and is primarily responsible for the Regional Office's compliance with all FOIA/PA laws to include regulations and guidance within each Act.
Maintain safeguards of records in compliance with the FOIA/Privacy Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act.
Serves, as requested, as a VBA representative on internal task forces where informational law expertise is required.
Develop guidance on FOIA requests to include appeals and litigation information.
Develop station policies for access to federal records under FOIA/PA.
Advise other FOIA personnel on techniques and procedures.
Advise of changing legislative and regulatory requirements, goals and objectives and consequences of changes in release of information services.
Analyze, assess and evaluate, and provide recommendations for continued or improved efficiency in FOIA/PA related programs and functions.
Act as the agency liaison in FOIA/PA requests with agency and outside components.
Serves as a subject matter expert on FOIA/PA issues to assist and advise Regional Office staff regarding the resolution of problems/issues involving privacy and other release of information issues.
Ensures compliance with the posting of privacy related incidents in the Privacy Violation Tracking System (PVTS) and Privacy and Security Events Tracking System (PSETS}.
Work Schedule: Regular office hours, 7:30am-4:00pm; Alternate work schedules are available. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Available Remote: This is NOT a remote/virtual position. Title/PD#: Government Information Specialist (Privacy Officer) GS - 13; PD# 034990 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
This position is a Non-Bargaining unit Position
Qualifications
Specialized Experience: GS-13 LEVEL:
In addition to the experience required to qualify at the GS-13 level, applicants must also have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12).
Specialized Experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant to perform at the journeyman level of this position with little to no training or supervision. Specialized experience may have been gained in such ways as:
Preparing releases of information for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests;
Developing guidance regarding FOIA requests; and
Advising personnel on FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) procedures
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/29/2024.
Your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50: The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). General Adjustment SF-50 will NOT be accepted.
Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade: (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.) in order to verify time-in-grade requirements.
***NOTE: 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; religions; 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.
Education
There is no educational substitution for the GS-13 level.
Additional information
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.
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.
Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Please contact the special placement coordinator or the human resources specialist listed on this vacancy for more information regarding applying for consideration under schedule A or as a 30% disabled Veteran.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. A well-qualified candidate is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualifications requirements for this position. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility can be found here.
VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement
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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Competencies/ Rating Factors:
Writing: Skill in utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, Power point, and Outlook to produce hard-reports or attach electronic documents to E-Mails.
Decision Making: Ability to work with senior management, while developing an ongoing process to track, investigate, and report improper disclosure of Veteran's Personally identifiable information, or PII.
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence: Knowledge and experience in privacy laws, access, and release of information.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to effectively communicate in writing to convey information effectively and appropriately for the needs of the audience.
Management and Organizes Information: Demonstrated organization, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.
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 to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified; errors, omissions, or failure to submit the documents as specified will affect your rating or result in loss of consideration for employment.
Resume:Detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you must also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
Your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50: The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). General Adjustment SF-50 will NOT be accepted.
Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade: (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.) in order to verify time-in-grade requirements.
In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following:
Current Dept. of VA Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment).
The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
To verify you meet Time-in-Grade requirements, also submit a SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade held (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.)
Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
Copy of your marriage license, AND
Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release or retirement from active duty service.
ICTAP/CTAP: For displaced Federal/VA employees
SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter);AND
Most recent performance appraisal.
Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50s (current Dept. of VA employees), documentation to support 30%+ Disabled Veterans/Schedule A Disability Preference or VEOA and VRA claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. 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.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/29/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12515475.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: 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 USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application 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 USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
St Louis Regional Benefit Office
9700 Page Ave
Overland, MO 63132
US
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your resume and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided).Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant notification points can be found in the USAJOBS Resource Center.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement
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 to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified; errors, omissions, or failure to submit the documents as specified will affect your rating or result in loss of consideration for employment.
Resume:Detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you must also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
Your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50: The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). General Adjustment SF-50 will NOT be accepted.
Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade: (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.) in order to verify time-in-grade requirements.
In addition to the document above, you must submit additional documents to prove your eligibility for the following:
Current Dept. of VA Employees: A copy of your most recent SF-50 (not award or general adjustment).
The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
To verify you meet Time-in-Grade requirements, also submit a SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade held (e.g., Promotion, Appointment, etc.)
Veterans/Disabled Veterans:
DD-214 (MEMBER-4 Copy), or document from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or branch of service that shows dates of military service and character of discharge, AND
Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Armed Service, AND
SF-15 - Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference
100% Disabled Veteran Spouses:
Copy of your marriage license, AND
Veteran Spouses' DD-214, documenting retirement, release, or discharge due to disability, AND
Disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, specifying 100% disability at the time of discharge, release or retirement from active duty service.
ICTAP/CTAP: For displaced Federal/VA employees
SF-50 showing Career or Career-Conditional status; AND
Reduction-In-Force (RIF) Notice or a certification of expected separation (not a resignation letter);AND
Most recent performance appraisal.
Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50s (current Dept. of VA employees), documentation to support 30%+ Disabled Veterans/Schedule A Disability Preference or VEOA and VRA claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. 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.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/29/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12515475.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: 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 USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application 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 USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
St Louis Regional Benefit Office
9700 Page Ave
Overland, MO 63132
US
Next steps
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your resume and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided).Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account and clicking on "Application Status." For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant notification points can be found in the USAJOBS Resource Center.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
