NOTE: This announcement has an application limit of 200 applicants. It will close at 11:59 pm (EST) on the day it reaches 200 applicants, which may be earlier than the posted closing date.

The Government Information Specialist position serves as the National Indian Gaming Commission's point of contact for the agency's Privacy & Records Information Management (PRIM) Program, which oversees the agency administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the Privacy Act (PA), the Federal Records Act (FRA), and the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This position is in the Division of Technology under the Office of the Chief of Staff. The incumbent reports directly to the Privacy & Records Information Management Officer.

The incumbent is the primary point of contact for, and respondent to, records disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA). In this role, duties include:

• Receiving and formally acknowledging reception of information disclosure requests and addressing any supplementary requests. Communicating effectively with requesters and internal stakeholders to ensure that the scope of the request is clear and that the records being sought can be readily searched and identified.
• Conducting reasonable and sufficient searches using search methods (general outreach, search memos, electronic term searches) to locate responsive documents. Compiling, formatting and file-naming collected documents to facilitate their further review.
• Conducting reviews to determine whether any Federal laws, regulations, or Federal caselaw would apply to any document, or information contained within, to render certain information undisclosable. Conducting reviews of the collected documents to determine whether any collected documents, or information contained within, necessitate third party inclusion (submitter notice, consultation etc.) and, as necessary, working with such third parties.

The incumbent assists in the development and implementation of electronic records and information policies, processes and procedures to ensure that the agency is compliant with Federal records and information management requirements. In this role, duties include:

• Reviewing agency information systems, in particular, SharePoint Online and Microsoft 365, to understand the structure, extent, and configuration of information assets and developing ways to streamline file and system configurations across a wide range of storage environments.
• Conducting inventories of agency holdings at all organizational levels - agency, system, functional unit - in order to identify records, nonrecords, and working files and develop strategies to improve their management.
• Collaborating with agency records groups to update and improve their record schedules. Coordinating with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to obtain NARA approval for updates to records schedules and disposition authorities. Coordinating and overseeing the execution of the disposition of permanent records so that they are properly accessioned to NARA.
• Analyzing and developing ways to improve workflows and document processing within agency functional and organizational units. Continuously seeking ways to utilize technology and tools to improve Records Information Management (RIM) processes and ensure that they are efficient, effective and follow best practices.
• Developing and conducting periodic RIM compliance audits to identify strengths and weaknesses and to assess and report level of RIM compliance with Federal laws and regulations and agency policies and procedures. Creating, conducting or coordinating records management training to ensure that all staff understand the principles of Federal recordkeeping, agency expectations, records lifecycle management, and their RIM specific roles and responsibilities

Salary Information:
This is a remote position. The posted salary is for areas of the United States outside of a specific pay locality. Your salary will be determined based on where you live. For more information on pay locality tables: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule

This position is in the excepted service and not subject to competitive service procedures. Competitive Civil Service status is not acquired under this appointment. New appointees to the excepted service must serve a two year trial period. Merit Promotion procedures do not apply.

The NIGC has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework in accordance with agency policy.

Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service system, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will have in-depth knowledge and experience with FOIA, but would be able to assume significant records management responsibilities as well, to include being proficient with and interested in technology as it relates to information management, particularly SharePoint and Microsoft 365. Additionally, we are looking for candidates with analytical skills and strong written communication skills to assist with writing policy.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have at least two (2) full years of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Government Information Specialist. Applicants must have the following FOIA experience. You must meet all 5 items and they must be clearly written in your resume. All applicants are required to submit a cover letter describing your professional background and interest in this position. Applicants who do not submit a cover letter will not be considered for the position.

Required Experience:
1. Applying regulations pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
2. Providing FOIA guidance to others;
3. Interpreting the FOIA and related caselaw for application to novel situations; and
4. Responding to complex FOIA requests.
5. In addition to the above FOIA experience, applicants must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications including SharePoint and Microsoft 365.

Desired Experience:
Examples of highly desired experience/qualifications pertaining to Information Management include:

• Developing guidance and leading the application of information management regulations, operating policies, procedures;
• Conducting research relating to complex government information management rules, regulations, and caselaw for the purpose of making recommendations regarding disclosure of information in response to official requests;
• Configuring, maintaining and improving information management technologies, in particular, SharePoint and its related applications (Teams, OneDrive);
• Developing and implementing information management policies, procedures and guidance pertaining to the retention, proper disclosure and disposition of agency records;
• Developing and implementing procedures and/or methodologies to improve an Information Management program;
• Developing and implementing information management quality controls such as reviews, compliance audits, and/or risk assessments;
• Developing and implementing records management policies, procedures and guidance pertaining to the retention, proper disclosure and disposition of agency records.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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. You will be evaluated on the following competency:

Technical Competence: Understands and appropriately applies procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to FOIA and information management; maintains credibility with others on technical FOIA and information management matters.

To preview the assessment questionnaire click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12589005