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Government Information Specialist

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health
OD/OCPL
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director (OD), Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL).

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/05/2024 to 12/09/2024
This job will close when we have received 150 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$82,764 to - $153,354 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11 - 13
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Montgomery County, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
NIH-OD-DE-24-12612144
Control number
822014100

Duties

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  • Review information requests to ensure compliance with disclosure laws, regulations and policies.
  • Redact records pursuant to the FOIA.
  • Serve as the last reviewer to approve redactions on records prior to their release.
  • Review and analyze appeals from denials of access to records requested under FOIA and recommend final agency decision regarding the release of records.
  • Assist in the development of agency policy and procedures with regard to the administration of the FOIA program.
  • Lead training sessions to educate peers on a FOIA tracking system.
  • Prepare consultations and referrals as appropriate in response to FOIA requests.
  • Analyze regulations, case decisions, policies and procedures to determine whether private or confidential information can be released.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
  • Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.

Qualifications

You qualify at the GS-11 level, if you meet the following qualification requirements:

Have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or an LL.M., if related OR

Have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: researching regulations, case decisions, policies and procedures to determine whether private or confidential information can be released; conducting statistical analyses of data related to information requests for the preparation of reports; and determining which private or confidential information is proprietary and therefore exempt from release. OR

Have a combination of post baccalaureate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position.

You qualify at the GS-12 level, if you meet the following qualification requirements:

Have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: providing technical guidance regarding requests for the release of potentially sensitive containing personally identifying information(PII); determining costs associated with the collection and release of information to requestors; and redacting records in accordance with policy and preparing material for release.

You qualify at the GS-13 level, if you meet the following qualification requirements:

Have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: developing, implementing, maintaining privacy policies and procedures; reviewing and evaluating the privacy programs; providing technical guidance regarding requests for the release of potentially sensitive or confidential information; and training peers on the appropriate procedures for releasing private information, official records maintenance, and records requests.


Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

Preview assessment questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12612144

Education

If you qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application packages. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.

Additional information

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  • This position is designated as a "non-emergency/non-teleworker" position and the selected candidate will be considered a "non-emergency/non-teleworker" employee
  • A one-year probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.
  • PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should apply online to this announcement to receive consideration
  • We may make additional selections for similar positions within the commuting area(s) of the locations listed through this vacancy announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s). Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions.
  • The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
  • The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
  • Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Visit our Applicant FAQs page for helpful information on the application process.
  • Visit our Total Compensation page and this sample for a detailed look into the benefits, awards, leave, retirement, and other incentives employees may receive as part of a rewarding work environment.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

  • 1. Knowledge of regulations and reporting requirements governing the release of private and/or confidential information.
  • 2. Skill in researching, interpreting, and applying privacy rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to specific cases and issues.
  • 3. Skill in organizing, maintaining, and tracking information requests.
  • 4. Ability to respond to technical inquires governing the release of information.


If you meet the minimum qualifications for this position, your application and responses to the online questionnaire will be evaluated under Category Rating and selection procedures for placement in one of the following categories:
  • Best Qualified - for those who are superior in the evaluation criteria
  • Well Qualified - for those who excel in the evaluation criteria
  • Qualified - for those who only meet the minimum qualification requirements
The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Applicants determined to be Best Qualified will be referred for further consideration. Preference eligibles in the Best Qualified category are referred before all other applicants.

To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications by scoring at least an 85 on the assessment and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.

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