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Government Information Specialist

Department of the Treasury
Treasury, Departmental Offices
Office of Foreign Assets Control
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located at Departmental Offices, Terrorism and Financial Intelligence-Office of Foreign Assets Control. As a Government Information Specialist, you will be responsible for researching, reviewing and processing requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.

If you do not meet any of the categories listed below, this opportunity is also open to any US citizen to apply under Announcement
24-DO-1017-P. Please refer to that announcement for details.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
10/02/2024 to 10/15/2024
Salary
$68,405 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 13
Location
2 vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
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
13
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
No
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
24-DO-1016
Control number
812373400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

All candidates who are: 1. Current or former federal employees qualifying as Status Candidates, Federal employees currently serving on a VRA, VEOA eligibles, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles, eligible for special hiring authorities (e.g., the Schedule A appointment for persons with disabilities, or covered by an Interchange Agreement), or VRA eligibles OR 2. Land Management employees eligible under Public Law 114-47.

Duties

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The following are the duties of this position at the GS-13. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties, and will receive training to help you grow in this position. As a Government Information Specialist you will:

  • Serve as a key person for the processing of, and responding to, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
  • Serve as an expert in the dissemination and disclosure of OFAC's classified, law enforcement sensitive, sensitive but unclassified and unclassified record holdings that contain complex issues of national security, commercial and financial information of individuals as well as businesses.
  • Make appropriate entries in the OFAC FOIA databases to ensure accurate, consistent and timely data capture and reporting processes other agency records containing OFAC information pursuant to the FOIA/PA.
  • Process other agency records containing OFAC information pursuant to the FOIA/PA and, when required, work with the FOIA Chief; Assistant Director, Information Disclosure and Records Management; and the Chief Counsel's Office in the processing of FOIA litigation cases.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Key Requirements:

  • Must be U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • Must successfully complete a background investigation.
  • All new hires will be required to comply with federal ethics laws. A review of financial or other interests may be conducted to determine if they create any real or apparent conflict of interests with official Treasury duties.
  • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
  • Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
  • If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
  • Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
  • Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel.
  • Please refer to the "Additional Information" section for additional Conditions of Employment.

Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:For the GS-13 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:

  • Reviewing records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act (PA) and FOIA Implementing Instructions. Examples of this could include, but are not limited to interpreting and applying laws, regulations, legal decisions, policies, procedures and directives pertaining to the protection and release of FOIA and PA information.; AND
  • Coordinating and tracking FOIA/PA requests to ensure that the responses are accurate, legally sufficient and timely.; AND
  • Explaining the redaction of sensitive issues such as national security, commercial and financial information. Examples of this could include, but is not limited to evaluating varied records to determine the application of the FOIA and PA, communicating orally and in writing with employees, leadership, other organizations and/or the public regarding FOIA/PA issues.; AND
  • Applying redactions to records. Examples of this would include using Adobe, FOIA Express or a similar redaction tool to excise information from records, and annotate the appropriate exemptions code near the redacted material.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:For the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:
  • Reviewing records pursuant to FOIA laws and regulations. Examples of this could include, but is not limited to timely redacting and annotating records, preparing timely responses, and ensuring confidentiality; AND
  • Supporting general office operations. Examples of this could include, but is not limited to managing a database, compiling reports, drafting correspondence, directing communications, and serving as a public liaison; AND
  • Applying redactions to records. Examples of this would include using Adobe, FOIA Express or similar redaction tool to excise information from records and annotate the appropriate exemptions code near the redacted material.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:For the GS-11 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:
  • Redacting agency records; AND
  • Communicating with the public and using time management to process responses to FOIA requests.
OR EDUCATION: You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows:
  • Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field related to the position; OR
  • 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR
  • LL.M., if related to the position;
OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. A combination of education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience.


SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:For the GS-09 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized Experience for this position includes:
  • Reviewing agency records and updating databases; AND
  • Using time management to process responses to FOIA requests
OR EDUCATION: You may substitute education for general or specialized experience as follows:
  • Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR
  • 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR
  • LL.B. or J.D., if related
OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience. To combine education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours) may be combined to be considered for qualifying education.


TIME-IN-GRADE: In addition to the above requirements, you must meet the following time-in-grade requirement, if applicable:
For the GS-13, you must have been at the GS-12 level for 52 weeks.
For the GS-12, you must have been at the GS-11 level for 52 weeks.
For the GS-11, you must have been at the GS-9 level for 52 weeks.
For the GS-9, you must have been at the GS-7 level for 52 weeks.

TIME AFTER COMPETITIVE APPOINTMENT: Candidates who are current Federal employees serving on a non-temporary competitive appointment must have served at least three months in that appointment.

Education

The education generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.

  • EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION:
    • You are not required to submit transcripts for this initial phase of the application process. Candidates will be referred for consideration based on their self-certification. If you are selected for a position which has a positive education requirement (as described in the vacancy announcement) and/or you are qualifying solely on your education, you will be required to submit official transcripts verifying your qualifications prior to a job offer being issued.
    • A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.


Additional information

During the application process you will have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact on your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.


OTHER INFORMATION:

  • We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
  • This is a non-bargaining unit position.
  • Relocation expenses will not be paid.
  • We offer opportunities for telework.
  • We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
  • This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).
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


Our comprehensive benefits are very generous. Our benefits package includes:

  • Challenging work, opportunities for advancement, competitive salaries, bonuses and incentive awards.
  • Eleven paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave, and 13 to 26 days of vacation time each year.
  • Access to insurance programs that may be continued after you retire.
  • A wide choice of health insurance plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and no waiting periods. We pay a substantial amount (up to 75%) of the health insurance premiums.
  • A retirement program which includes employer-matching contributions.
  • Learn more about Federal benefits programs at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits

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 based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resumé, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. Please be sure that your resumé includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resumé may result in a "not qualified" determination.

In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Rating: You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Analytical
  • Attention to Detail
  • Communication
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Influencing/Negotiating
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork
  • Technical


Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application may be referred to a selecting official for consideration. You may be required to participate in a selection interview.

If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee (eligible for the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)) you must be assigned the middle category or better to be rated as "well qualified" to receive special selection priority.

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