The Supervisory Government Information Specialists are responsible for one of seventeen processing teams under the Centralized Support Division at the St. Louis Regional Office within the VBA. The position is located in the Centralized Support Division, St. Louis VA Regional Office. The Centralized Support Division has primary responsibility for conducting required management activities related to VBA paperwork management, Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Summary
The Supervisory Government Information Specialists are responsible for one of seventeen processing teams under the Centralized Support Division at the St. Louis Regional Office within the VBA. The position is located in the Centralized Support Division, St. Louis VA Regional Office. The Centralized Support Division has primary responsibility for conducting required management activities related to VBA paperwork management, Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
This vacancy announcement is open to applicants within the 50 mile Commuting Area of the St Louis Regional Office, VA and VBA wide, Schedule A, Displaced federal employees eligible under CTAP/ICTAP, persons eligible for non-competitive appointment, Veterans eligible under VEOA or VRA (or both), 30% Disabled Veterans, federal employees eligible for transfer/interchange agreements, Reinstatements, Military Spouse, Peace Corps/VISTA, and Land Management employees. NOT a Remote Position.
Supervisory Government Information Specialist
Directly supervises approximately 20 employees engaged in processing requests for military records from all VBA Regional Offices or processing PA/FOIA request. Plans and schedules work to be accomplished by subordinates. Provides subordinates the requirements and descriptions of the work to be performed and tracks progress. Sets priorities and quarterly and annual goals. Resolves work
problems presented by subordinates and recommends or implements ways to improve the unit's production/quality of work. Prepares performance standards and evaluates the performance of subordinates. Interview candidates for positions in the organization, making or approving selections for non-supervisory positions. Makes recommendations for employee promotions or reassignments. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring more serious complaints to a higher-level supervisor.
Major Duties:
The incumbent has the responsibility for special projects related to the records retrieval system of the VA as well as the release of those records to external stakeholders. This entails coordination with not only VA entities but also with the Department of Defense, National Personnel Records Center and other federal, state, and local agencies that during the routine course of their activities require access to records. The incumbent also has the responsibility for ensuring the efficient service provision of nonrelated workload and other missions as assigned by VA Central Office.
Managing the day-to-day activities of the Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES), Privacy Act, and Freedom of Information requests and supervises the work of employees supporting the workload.
Resolves work problems presented by subordinates and recommends or implements ways to improve the unit's production/quality of work.
Provides guidance and instruction to employees, staff, and other entities in completing and obtaining the required documentation.
Uses administrative practices and procedures to identify potential issues or procedural inefficiencies, recommending solutions that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of protecting personal data.
Develop and deliver oral and written briefings, talking papers, communications, and other publications for senior leadership to address issues that may impact decisions.
Experience supervising and managing a staff of employees providing overall direction and oversight of workload processes to achieve goals for claim processing or record management related to work.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Telework: Telework eligible, this is not a Remote Position Position Description Title/PD#: 0306 Supervisory Government Information Specialist GS-09, PD# 41997-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not. Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.
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.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Remote: This is not a Remote Position.
This is a Non- Bargaining Unit (NBU) position.
Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position.
Qualifications
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: Applicants who are/were federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information.
The Supervisory Government Information Specialists are responsible for one of seventeen processing teams under the Centralized Support Division at the St. Louis Regional Office within the Veterans Benefits Administration. The Centralized Support Division is responsible for responding to requests from all VBA Regional Offices for digital and/or paper military personnel, service treatment
records, and as the centralized function for VBA to respond to Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Action (FOIA) requests from Veterans and third parties for compensation and pension records from the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS).. The position is primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Personnel Information Exchange System (PIES), Privacy Act, and Freedom of Information requests.
Specialized Experience:
In addition to the experience required to qualify at the GS-09 level, applicants must also have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07).
Specialized experience may have been gained in such ways as:
Experience with management techniques, methods, theories, principles, and labor relations concepts, to assure optimum utilization of personnel, equipment, and space for the accomplishment of all program objectives with combined technical and administrative oversight.
Experience applying regulations, other official guidance and principles, including the latest procedures and techniques sufficient to oversee the planning, development and implementation of the technical aspects of programs specific to the position being filled.
Knowledge of how to communicate orally and how to communicate in writing, using computer software.
Supervisory Experience:
The incumbent plans work to be accomplished by subordinates; sets and adjusts short-term priorities and prepares schedules for completion of work.
The incumbent assigns work to subordinates based on priorities using the difficulty and requirements of assignments to evaluate appropriate assignment based on grade structure and position description requirements.
The incumbent evaluates the work performance of subordinates; gives advice, counsel and/or instruction to employees on both work and administrati.ve matters.
Or,
Education:
Applicants may substitute education for the experience required with a 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 Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience. To calculate; first calculate the percentage of qualifying education you have as a percentage of the education required. Next, calculate the percentage of specialized experience you have as a percentage of the experience required. Then, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100% for you to qualify for the position at GS-9.
Note: Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.
For example: an applicant who has 75 semester hours of education (i.e. 15 semester hours beyond the second year, which is the equivalent of 25% of the required education) and has 9 months of specialized experience (75% of the required experience), would meet the total qualifications by combining education and experience.
Education
Applicants may substitute education for the experience required with a 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.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for federal employment.
You can verify your education here. 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.
Additional information
Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.
Promotion Potential: The position is at the Full Performance Level (FPL).
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.
Displaced federal employees: 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. A score of 85 or above on the assessment questionnaire is considered well qualified. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility can be found here.
Military Spouse Hiring Authority To be eligible under this hiring authority, the military spouse must be in one of 3 categories:
Accompanying a member of the Armed Forces on a permanent change of station move (PCS, with PCS Orders);
The spouse of a totally disabled (100%) retired or separated member of the Armed Forces; or
The un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while performing active duty
DD214 with an Honorable Discharge of Military Spouse.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies and other vacancies in the same series, grade, and location.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf
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.
Writing- Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a brief, clear, and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
Decision Making - Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.
Interpersonal Skills- Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Manages and Organizes Information - Identifies a need; gathers, organizes, and maintains information; determines its importance and accuracy, and communicates it by a variety of methods.
Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.
Notice to Applicants: It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
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.
The following documents are required for all applicants:
Resume
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.
Veterans: Member-4 DD-214 and disability rating letter (if applicable)
If you are currently on active duty to be released within 120 days, you may submit an armed forces certification in lieu of a Member-4 DD-214.
Current Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status (for example, you are a career or career-conditional employee) 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.).
Military Spouse of Active Duty Military Member: A copy of your marriage license AND your spouse's active duty orders
Military Spouse of Separated Veteran: A copy of your marriage license, Member-4 DD-214 AND either your spouse's 1) 100% disability rating, or 2) documentation of death during active duty.
Other Status Candidates: Evidence of eligibility to apply (e.g. Peace Corps verification letter, Schedule A letter, PS-50, etc.).
CTAP documentation: RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and 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-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. You will not be contacted for additional information. In addition to the information listed above, please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12608592 and submit the documentation specified in the required documents section. Documents will not be accepted after the closing date of the announcement.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/29/2024 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. 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 USAJOBS account, select the application status link and then select the more information link for this position.
The details 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 USAJOBS accountand click update application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS 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.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for all applicants:
Resume
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.
Veterans: Member-4 DD-214 and disability rating letter (if applicable)
If you are currently on active duty to be released within 120 days, you may submit an armed forces certification in lieu of a Member-4 DD-214.
Current Federal Employees: A copy of your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status (for example, you are a career or career-conditional employee) 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.).
Military Spouse of Active Duty Military Member: A copy of your marriage license AND your spouse's active duty orders
Military Spouse of Separated Veteran: A copy of your marriage license, Member-4 DD-214 AND either your spouse's 1) 100% disability rating, or 2) documentation of death during active duty.
Other Status Candidates: Evidence of eligibility to apply (e.g. Peace Corps verification letter, Schedule A letter, PS-50, etc.).
CTAP documentation: RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and 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-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. You will not be contacted for additional information. In addition to the information listed above, please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application.
To apply for this position, you must complete the https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12608592 and submit the documentation specified in the required documents section. Documents will not be accepted after the closing date of the announcement.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/29/2024 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. 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 USAJOBS account, select the application status link and then select the more information link for this position.
The details 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 USAJOBS accountand click update application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS 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.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
