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Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA)

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Job Description

The Office of Information Policy, Initial Request Staff is responsible for processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA), requests for records. The position serves as a subject matter expert and focal point for all FOIA/PA requests that relate to the Office of Information Policy (OIP) and the Departments senior leadership offices.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Government Information Specialist (FOIA/PA), at GS-0306-12/13, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below. If you are a current or former government employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level, to meet the time-in-grade requirements for this occupational series and grade. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information). For the GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting 3 of the 5 statements below: 1) Reviews documents to identify and redact sensitive information under FOIA and PA exemptions; 2) Reviews incoming FOIA/PA requests from search to final response; 3) Drafts written responses to requesters and prepares status reports for senior leadership; 4) Maintains FOIA/Pa database and formal administrative records; 5) Utilize automated tools and software to organize documentation, information, and/or evidence. For the GS-13: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as meeting 3 of the 6 statements below: 1) Communicates and negotiates with requesters regarding FOIA/PA requests; 2) Conducts record searches in response to FOIA requests; 3) Conducts research as required to determine FOIA/PA information to be released; 4) Consults, as appropriate, with other government entities regarding responsiveness and releasability determinations; 5) Handles the above 4 tasks independently and potentially review the work of others; 6) Handles prior responses to efficiently handle new FOIA requests utilizing technology-related discovery efforts. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the closing date of this announcement, 12/04/2025. Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 12/04/2025 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.

Required Documents

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility. Resume Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information for each job entry listed in your employment history: Official position title, Employer name and contact information, Start and end dates (including month and year), Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and A list of duties performed and accomplishments. If you are a current or former Federal employee: You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent agency form. Do not submit an award SF-50, these do not contain sufficient information about your appointment. Your SF-50 should list the full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status. Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluation or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available submit a statement explaining why one is not available. Note: See USAJOBS Current & Former Employees for more information. If you are a Veteran or a qualifying parent or spouse: When claiming a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type. If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating, you will need to additionally submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating. If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See Veteran Family Preference for more information. For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets. If you are applying for consideration under the Military Spouse Appointing Authority: Spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty: documentation showing 1) your spouse's active-duty status and 2) your marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Spouse of service members who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active-duty service: documentation showing 1) the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent; and 2) documentation of marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Spouse of service members killed while on active duty: documentation showing a) the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty; b) the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty; c) proof of the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and d) a statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member. If you are a person with a disability, claiming eligibility under Schedule A: You must submit "proof of a disability" documentation ("Proof of a disability" is a letter stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability). You must get this letter from your doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any Federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits. For more information about Schedule A and verification requirements, please see OPM's Schedule A site. If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP: You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency OR if you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force. Submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.

Department Information

Agency

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Department

Department of Justice

Location

Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, United States

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