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The incumbent serves as a Privacy/FOIA Officer and reports directly to the Chief of the Business Office within the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The Privacy Officer contributes to the fulfillment of the VA mission and vision by planning, designing, implementing and maintaining appropriate and effective program, policies and procedures in a VHA facility.
**Recruitment/Relocation Incentives may be available for highly qualified candidates**
09/01/2022 to 09/22/2022
$84,923 - $110,404 per year
GS 12
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Competitive
None
No
No
CBSV-11635885-22-AB
675070400
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Current or former employees of a base management agency.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Military spouses relocating under PCS orders or whose spouse is 100% disabled or died while on active duty.
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Special authorities include: Former overseas employees and foreign service employees. Clarification for these authorities is provided in the questionnaire.
This position is responsible for administering, analyzing, and performing work involved in establishing, disseminating or managing Government information within the, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Healthcare Centers. Government Information Specialists formulate policy, advise agency and facility management, and ensure compliance with all Federal and State laws governing the collection, maintenance and disclosure of information. The work also involves the safeguarding of Government information while supporting accountability and transparency. The Government Information Specialist reports to the Chief, Business Office.
Government Information Specialist implements policies and procedures to manage information and provides information-related assistance and services to Veterans, the general public, Congress and VA staff members. The work requires interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and guidance to provide access to VA agency records and information, while ensuring protected health information is appropriately used and disclosed. The Privacy/FOIA Specialist makes determinations about disclosures, issuance of denials, redactions, monitoring and access to Federal agency records and use and disclosures of individually-identifiable health information.
The Government Information Specialist focuses on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C) §§ 5701, 5705 and 7332 statutes, and VA implementing regulations that govern the collection, maintenance, and release of information from VA records.
Implements, manages and monitors the Privacy and FOIA programs in the facility by distributing information; preparing facility-specific policy guidance; reviewing facility processes and workflow to ensure information is appropriately safeguarded, used and disclosed; reviewing all contracts and other facility agreements for privacy and other appropriate language; and assessing the facility privacy posture through evaluation of the facility's collection, use, storage and maintenance of sensitive personal information.
Coordinates program implementation and management with higher organizational levels and prepares reports and information.
Advises management and staff on Title 38 U.S.C. Sections §§ 5701, 5705 and 7332, PA, FOIA and, where appropriate, HIPAA requirements, policies, and procedures and ensures that facility managers and staff understand and fulfill their responsibilities.
Develops facility privacy and FOIA policies and procedures in compliance with VA privacy policies and ensure appropriate implementation within the facility.
Ensures all disclosures of individually-identifiable information by the facility are performed in accordance with all applicable federal privacy laws and regulations, including Title 38 U.S.C. Sections §§ 5701, 5705 and 7332, PA, FOIA and HIPAA Privacy Rule, and VHA policy.
Develops and implements processes to ensure a compliant monitoring program is in place consistent with VA/VHA policies and procedures. A compliant monitoring program consists of establishing documented processes for monitoring, developing monitoring tools, conducting monitoring according to VHA policies, analyzing the monitoring results to determine trends and deficiencies and the implementation of remediation activities of areas found to be non-compliant.
Monitors on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis policies and procedures to include VHA Notice of Privacy Practices, Privacy Training and Continued Awareness, Reasonable Safeguards, Right of Access, Amendments, Release of Information and Accounting of Disclosures, Facility Directory, Confidential Communications, Data Destruction, Complaints and Incidents, Business Associate Agreements and Contracting, and Information Access.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: 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. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Government Information Specialist/PD1632070
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be available for highly qualified candidates.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required.
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
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. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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.
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.
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 contact for an interview. 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.
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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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 09/22/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11635885.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. 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. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. 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 USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/675070400. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.