GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is: To serve as a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) program specialist for policy and guidance HAF 2-letters, Field Operating Agencies (FOA), and Direct Reporting Units (DRU) organizations.

Frequently receives assignments directly from the Administration and Resource Management to the Secretary of the Air Force.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes expert knowledge of the interaction of the Privacy Act with the Freedom of Information Act, advanced ability to interpret civil law and court decisions affecting the FOIA to apply to writing affidavits in support of FOIA litigation filed against Headquarters, comprehensive knowledge of policies, programs and operations with specialized knowledge of weapons and force structure, plans, and operations, RDT&E and acquisition, manpower, installations and logistics, reserve affairs, financial management, intelligence, public affairs, legal and legislative issues for whatever is appropriate, and skill in adapting analytical techniques and evaluation criteria to measure and improve program effectiveness.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Expert Knowledge of the legal and statutory mandates for the following programs: Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Information Security, and a working knowledge of the Air Force Records Management Program, applicable federal and public laws, executive orders/DoD directives, applicable FOIA/PA court decisions and precedents pertaining to access laws, Defense Privacy Act Board Advisory Opinions, and the National Archives and Records Administration guidelines and policies governing life-cycle management of official records.

Demonstrate FOIA, Privacy, and Information Collection expertise is required to provide advice, guidance, and authoritative consultant service to team members, supervisor, organization leaders and customers.

Knowledge of organizational structures, missions, objectives, operating programs, key positions, and administrative policies and procedures, which are frequently ad hoc team efforts, to identify, consider, and recommend options for the resolution of substantive organizational and program issues or complex problems not susceptible to treatment by standard methods.

Proficient in oral and written communications to prepare written reports, supplemental instructions, or to write and present briefings/training seminars.

Ability to conduct classroom and one on one training and instructions. Ability to plan, develop, organize and conduction virtual/in-person training workshops.

Skill in analyzing problems, conducting research, summarizing results, and making appropriate recommendations regarding classified records review and declassification process.

Ability to research, analyze, interpret and apply complex regulations, and other statutory public law requirements, such as Executive Orders 13526, Public Laws 105-261(Kyl Amendment) and PL 106-65 (Lott Amendment), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954; 5 USC §552 Freedom of Information Act; 5 USC §552a, Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

Ability to engage and deal with customers using a high degree of tact and diplomacy. Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Other significant facts pertaining to this position are: This is a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

The employee is subject to random drug testing.

The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing and participation in random drug testing as a condition of employment in accordance with AFM 44-198, Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program Major Duties:

Department of the Air Force FOIA Requests Management.

Responsible for managing and coordinating the assignment of FOIA requests to Requester Service Centers (RSCs) across the Department of the Air Force including the intake and distribution of all incoming FOIA requests, record referrals and record consultation review requests with other Department of Defense agencies and external federal agencies.

Serves as Information Release Program Specialist. Manages the end-to-end processes for FOIA/PA Information Release.

Provides strategic planning and technical guidance as well as seasoned consultative advisory services to FOIA professionals, FOIA monitors and OPRs across the HAF on the effective use of program(s) to support goals and objectives.

Information Release Training and Program Specific Duties.

The Information Release Program Specialist is responsible for establishing and conducting formal and informal training courses for Headquarters Air Force personnel on Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Responsible for the development, coordination, and facilitation of comprehensive FOIA training across the HAF. Provides written and oral communications in various forms and forums.

Prepares required correspondence and documentation, e.g., guidance, direction, letters, reports, studies, briefings, background papers, and implementation plans.

Plans, coordinates, designs, and validates FOIA/Privacy training instructional design components. Serve as the FOIA Contractor Officer Representative (COR). Prepare the paperwork required for contract.

Monitor contractor performance and ensure compliance with contractual terms, conditions, and objectives.

Evaluate contractor progress, quality of work, adherence to schedules, and performance standards.