Government Information Specialist (FOIA Specialist)

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: -Analyzing, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness, efficiency and compliance of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program.; AND -Independently processing, coordinating and tracking FOIA requests while applying analytical reasoning to determine if exemptions apply; AND -Providing guidance to program offices and subject matter experts on the administration of the FOIA.

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: -Interpreting and applying FOIA Exemptions 1 - 7, federal laws, regulations, legal decisions, policies, procedures, and directives pertaining to the protection and release of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); AND -Reviewing FOIA documents, preparing case files and responding to requesters with final decisions; AND -Communicating with program offices and subject matter experts to narrow the scope of FOIA requests, troubleshoot problems and answer questions.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resumé.

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. 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.

The Office of Privacy, Transparency and Records (PTR) leads Treasury's administration of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act. PTR serves as the principal office responsible for administering and overseeing Treasury-wide implementation of the Department's FOIA program on behalf of the Chief FOIA Officer, prepares department-wide reports on program administration, operates the FOIA program of Departmental Offices (DO), and acts as the Treasury-wide resource for all Treasury Bureaus.

As a Government Information Specialist (FOIA Specialist), you will: Support the administration and implementation of the FOIA and the Privacy Act within Departmental Offices, including the handling, tracking, and coordination of requests, consultations, and administrative appeals. Assist in ensuring requests are appropriately received, documented, assigned, and managed in accordance with applicable statutory requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Coordinate the intake and initial management of FOIA and Privacy Act requests, consultations, and appeals received by DO. Responsibilities include reviewing incoming requests for completeness, identifying requests requiring clarification or perfection, preparing acknowledgment letters and other correspondence, and researching and facilitating the timely routing and assignment of search taskers to the appropriate program office record custodians.

Manage and coordinate case management activities throughout the request lifecycle, including:- Intake: Perform FOIA Requester Service Center functions, including receiving and logging requests, entering and maintaining case information, managing records in the FOIA case management system, and routing request for appropriate action.- Case Management: Coordinate request perfection, clarification, acknowledgment, assignment, tracking, and follow-up activities.

Communicate directly with requesters, program office record custodians, and other federal entities to facilitate timely and accurate handling of requests.- Processing Coordination: Monitor case progress, coordinate with program offices and FOIA processing personnel, maintain case documentation, and assist in preparing complete case files for review and subsequent processing or determination.

• Apply knowledge of the full FOIA request lifecycle, including document review, redaction, and disclosure processes, to facilitate effective case management and coordination.
• Monitor request status, identify outstanding actions and potential delays, and provide administrative and technical support to facilitate compliance with applicable FOIA and Privacy Act requirements.
• Assist in maintaining accurate case records, preparing reports, and identifying opportunities to improve intake and case management procedures.