- Position Title
- Government Information Specialist
- Agency
- Offices, Boards and Divisions
- Announcement Number
- ATR-23-06 MPP Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Monday, January 23, 2023 to Friday, February 3, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?
2.
Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions AND you:
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
• have a rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs showing a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more; OR,
• are retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more?
For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of your service which includes character of service. You must also submit the disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service and the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15.
3.
Are you the spouse of a deployed, disabled, or deceased member of the military?
Federal agencies can use the military spouse non-competitive hiring process to fill positions on either a temporary or permanent basis.
You may be eligible if you are:
- A spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces. OR
- A spouse of a service member who is 100% disabled due to a service-connected injury. OR
- A spouse of a service member killed while on active duty.
You are no longer eligible if you remarry. You must meet certain criteria for each of these eligibility categories. Your eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the Federal Government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation. Learn more about the specific criteria for military spouses...
- To verify your eligibility for option 1: You must submit a copy of the PCS (permanent change of station) orders indicating you are authorized to relocate on those orders.
- To verify your eligibility for options 2 and 3: You must submit the Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, Standard Form 15 and all supporting documentation identified on that document (e.g., Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service; death certificate and documentation identifying marital status at the time of death; disability letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs or Armed Service, etc..
4.
Are you a current or former employee of a Base Facilities or Land Management agency?
For Land Management employees: You must meet all the following criteria to claim this eligibility. You must provide a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) and performance appraisal that demonstrates you meet the requirements outlined in the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act.
- You worked for a land management agency.
- Your job was a term or temporary job in the competitive service.
- You worked for a land management agency for more than 24 months - it doesn't have to be continuous, as long as there's no break of two or more years.
- You received acceptable performance ratings throughout your term or temporary employment.
- You did not leave your job due to misconduct or performance.
For Base Facilities Management employees: You must be on a time-limited (a term or temporary appointment) employee of a Defense Industrial Base Facility or the Major Range and Test Facilities Base, you must meet all of the following criteria to claim this eligibility. You will need to submit your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) form. See Base Management on USAJOBS for more information.
- You're a current or former employee of a Defense Industrial Base Facility or the Major Range and Test Facilities Base.
- Your job is or was a time-limited appointment in the competitive service.
- You were originally hired under open, competitive examination under Sub-chapter I of Chapter 33 of such title to the time-limited appointment.
5.
Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the Department of Justice?
To be eligible under CTAP you must meet all of the following:
To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation, such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) form.
To be eligible under CTAP you must meet all of the following:
- You are located in the same local commuting area of this vacancy; AND,
- You are applying to a position that is at (or below) the grade level of the position from which you were (or will) be separated from; AND,
- You are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were (or will be) separated from; AND,
- Your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful, or the equivalent.
To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation, such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) form.
6.
Were you formerly employed as a Federal civilian employee on a permanent competitive appointment or did you obtain career-conditional status (and are within 3 years of the date of separation or are a preference eligible) and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
-OR
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND, • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
-OR
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee in the Competitive Service and have you never held the full performance level of this position?
To verify your eligibility as a current or former Federal civilian employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect: • career or career-conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND, • status in the competitive service (Position Occupied field is 1).
7.
Are you an employee that was involuntarily separated from another agency due to a reduction-in-force (RIF)?
The Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) is an inter-agency program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (not their current or former agency), by giving these employees selection priority over other applicants from outside the agency.
You may be eligible for ICTAP if:
- You're a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee—you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).
- The agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce.
- The job you're applying to is in the local commuting area.
- You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for.
For example, if you work for the Department of Defense and receive a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, you can apply for a competitive service job in the local commuting area at the Department of Justice.
To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.
8.
Are you a former Peace Corps volunteer or VISTA member meeting the conditions below?
You're eligible if you have at least two years of service with the Peace Corps or one year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Your non-competitive eligibility lasts for one year after completing your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service. Federal agencies may extend the period for up to three years if, after your completed service, you are:
You're eligible if you have at least two years of service with the Peace Corps or one year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Your non-competitive eligibility lasts for one year after completing your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service. Federal agencies may extend the period for up to three years if, after your completed service, you are:
- In the military service.
- Studying at a recognized institution of higher learning.
- Involved in another activity, which in the agency's view, warrants an extension.
Your non-competitive eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.
When applying for a job, include your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA certification of service documents with your application and make sure to mention your non-competitive eligibility status on your resume. See National Service Organizations, Peace Corps & VISTA on USAJOBS for more information...
9.
Office of Personnel Management?
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems. [[Show "Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems" as hyperlink to http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems]]
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
For more information, review Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems. [[Show "Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems" as hyperlink to http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/competitive-hiring/#url=InterchangeAgreementsWithOtherMeritSystems]]
-OR-
Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?
For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form (SF-50) reflecting your status.
10.
Are you an overseas employee or family member of an overseas employee moving back to the U.S.?
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources...
If you're currently overseas with a family member, and moving back to the United States, you may be eligible for a competitive service job without having to compete with the public, if you meet all of the following:
- You're living overseas with a family member, who is officially assigned to an overseas duty station.
- You're the family member's spouse, domestic partner, or unmarried child younger than 23.
- You've worked at least 52 weeks in an appropriated fund position, under a local hire appointment.
- You've received a successful (or equivalent) performance rating during your time on the job.
If you're eligible, you can:
- Apply for competitive service jobs, within the United States, and agencies can hire you directly without having to compete with the public.
- Apply to merit promotion jobs, if the job application states "open to family of overseas employees".
For more information, review USAJOBS Former Overseas Employees resources...
11.
Are you currently employed as a Federal civilian employee, in the Competitive Service, at the same grade (or higher) as this position, with the same (or higher) promotion potential?
To verify your eligibility:
You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
To verify your eligibility:
You must submit a copy of your separation Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status. Your separation SF-50 (or equivalent personnel action form) must reflect:
- Career or Career-Conditional (Tenure field is 1 or 2); AND
- Appointment is in the Competitive Service (Position Occupied field is 1).
12.
Are you applying for eligibility based on the Schedule A hiring authority for the employment of persons with severe physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities?
Schedule A refers to a special hiring authority that gives Federal agencies an optional, and potentially quicker, way to hire individuals with disabilities. Applying under Schedule A offers an exception to the traditional competitive hiring process. You can apply for jobs using Schedule A, if you are a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability. Learn more about Schedule A...
Notes about Schedule A eligibility:
Schedule A refers to a special hiring authority that gives Federal agencies an optional, and potentially quicker, way to hire individuals with disabilities. Applying under Schedule A offers an exception to the traditional competitive hiring process. You can apply for jobs using Schedule A, if you are a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability. Learn more about Schedule A...
Notes about Schedule A eligibility:
- You must provide "proof of a disability" documentation with your application, stating that you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability. You can 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.
- Veterans with a 30% (or greater) disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can qualify for Schedule A by submitting your VA Letter as part of your application and by claiming this eligibility option.
- Appointments under Schedule A are in the Excepted Service, but are eligible for conversion to the Competitive Service after 2 years with a successful performance rating and at the recommendation of management. (If you are already in a competitive service appointment, you would be converted back to the excepted service if you take an appointment under Schedule A.)
13.
Are you eligible under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (VEOA)?
VEOA is a special hiring authority, which gives eligible Veterans access to positions that otherwise may have only been available to current competitive service employees. In VEOA appointments, preference eligibles and Veterans are not given preference, but they are allowed to compete for job opportunities that are not offered to other external candidates. A VEOA eligible who is selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment.
Eligibility To verify your eligibility under VEOA you will need to submit appropriate supporting documentation that verifies your Veteran status, which may include a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), an SF-15 (Application of 10-point Veterans Preference), or comparable documentation.
VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of Veterans:
VEOA is a special hiring authority, which gives eligible Veterans access to positions that otherwise may have only been available to current competitive service employees. In VEOA appointments, preference eligibles and Veterans are not given preference, but they are allowed to compete for job opportunities that are not offered to other external candidates. A VEOA eligible who is selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment.
Eligibility To verify your eligibility under VEOA you will need to submit appropriate supporting documentation that verifies your Veteran status, which may include a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), an SF-15 (Application of 10-point Veterans Preference), or comparable documentation.
VEOA eligibility applies to the following categories of Veterans:
- Preference eligibles
- Service personnel separated after three or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.
Preferences
1.
Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position.
Assessment 1
1.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience to meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for the Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-09. Your response will be used to initially determine if you meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-09, position.
2.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience to meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for the Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-11. Your response will be used to initially determine if you meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-11, position.
3.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience to meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for the Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-12. Your response will be used to initially determine if you meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-12, position.
4.
From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your experience to meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for the Government Information Specialist, GS-0301-13. Your response will be used to initially determine if you meet the Minimum Qualification requirements for Government Information Specialist, GS-0301-13, position.
For each task in the following group, choose the statement from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training. Darken the oval corresponding to that statement in Section 25 of the Qualifications and Availability Form C. Please select only one letter for each item. A. I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task. B. I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job. C. I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D. I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E. I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Select the one statement that most accurately describes your training and experience carrying out each task using the scale provided.
5.
Review incoming request assignments and review records from initial search results to identify responsive records.
6.
Review incoming request assignments and conduct initial search based on supervisor instructions.
7.
Review incoming request assignments and independently recommend effective search terms and locations.
8.
Review incoming request assignments and independently determine search terms and locations, and conduct initial search.
9.
Guide and assist junior colleagues in planning and conducting FOIA searches.
10.
Apply knowledge of the FOIA, Privacy Act Exemptions, and agency regulations.
11.
Review FOIA responsive records, and mark non-public information for necessary redactions.
12.
Process investigatory records.
13.
Utilize FOIA tracking software.
14.
Review FOIA responsive records, and mark for necessary redactions for all of the following information types: information withheld pursuant to Exemption 3, confidential business information, governmental privileges, privacy, law enforcement information.
15.
Process records using discovery software.
16.
Process FOIA consultations received from other agencies.
17.
Guide and assist junior colleagues in analyzing responsive records for potential redaction.
18.
Draft accurate responses for "no records," "full denial," "partial denial," and "full release determinations, based on supervisor instructions.
19.
Draft referral and consultation letters to other federal agencies (or equivalent), based on reviewer comments/instructions.
20.
Draft effective emails and summaries, describing work completed and supporting recommendations where appropriate, for recipient supervisors and colleagues within your unit.
21.
Draft effective emails and summaries, describing work completed and supporting recommendations where appropriate, for recipient line-level agency colleagues outside of your immediate unit.
22.
Independently draft accurate responses for "no records," "full denial," "partial denial," and "full release determinations.
23.
Independently draft referral and consultation letters to other federal agencies (or equivalent).
24.
Draft proposed submitter notices to businesses regarding trade secret and commercial or financial information.
25.
Independently draft proposed submitter notices to businesses regarding trade secret and commercial or financial information.
26.
Analyze FOIA data and draft accurate FOIA reporting products for recipient supervisors.
27.
Draft effective emails and summaries, describing work completed and supporting recommendations where appropriate, for recipient mid-level management officials outside of your immediate unit.
28.
Draft effective emails for recipient FOIA/PA requesters and other stakeholders to clarify and resolve issues.
29.
Draft declarations and Vaughn Indices.
30.
Draft effective guidance emails and training summaries to recipient team members and junior colleagues, in a team leader role.
31.
Analyze FOIA data and independently compile/draft accurate annual and ad-hoc FOIA reporting products.
32.
Conduct effective in-person or remote conversations with supervisors and colleagues within your unit.
33.
Conduct effective in-person or remote conversations with line-level agency colleagues outside of your immediate unit.
34.
Conduct effective in-person or remote conversations with team leaders or mid-level management officials outside of your immediate unit.
35.
Conduct effective remote conversations with FOIA/PA requesters and other stakeholders to clarify and resolve issues.
36.
Conduct effective in-person or remote guidance and training discussions with recipient team members or junior colleagues, in a team leader role.
37.
Gather, analyze, and evaluate information, in order to process initial FOIA/PA requests.
38.
Gather, analyze, and evaluate information related to the defense of an organization's decisions when FOIA requesters submit administrative appeals.
39.
Serve as team lead for FOIA/PA program initiatives, as assigned.
40.
Evaluate FOIA/PA program to determine compliance with governing laws and directives.
41.
If you fail to answer this question, you will be disqualified from consideration for this position. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and disbarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.