Government Information Specialist

Full Job Description

This vacancy is for a Government Information Specialist position in the Policy Coordination Office located at the U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland.

The Census Bureau is accessible from the Metro Rail Green Line - Suitland Station.

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Government Information Specialist, 0306-13, positions within the Census Bureau in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-13, you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service.

Experience for this position includes applying Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act (PA), and other policies to ensure compliance and proper implementation within the office; serving as a liaison for FOIA requests or workshops; and providing recommendations to leadership regarding FOIA/PA issues.

Education: Education cannot be substituted at this grade level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

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

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required.

You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 04/24/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. Major Duties:

• Serves as the Government Information Specialist supervisor, with responsibility for administering and implementing the Freedom of information Act (FOIA), and Privacy Act (PA) Program for the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Conducts Liaison activities with FOIA Officers in other Departmental components and Federal agencies on such matters as responding to interacting requests and FOIA workshops.
• Serves as a consultant and resource person for problems encountered by Census Bureau staff, the Chief FOIA/PA Officer, the FOIA Public Liaison, the OG Liaison, and Branch staff.
• Negotiates with submitters of records and with requesters of these records, to find mutually acceptable solutions, so that a submitter is willing to accept those records as satisfying his or her request.
• Consults on appeal cases and drafts denial letters relying on knowledge of the FOIA, the PA, Department of Commerce regulations, and court decisions.