Management Information Specialist (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Summary

This position is located within the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Office of Information Services (MC-MI), Office of the Administration (MC-M). MC-MI is responsible for managing and operating the FMCSA Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program. The incumbent serves as a Management Information Specialist within MC-MI processing FOIA requests.

Duties

The Management Information Specialist: Responds to and coordinates FOIA and Privacy Act requests and appeals. Coordinates responses with program offices and the Office of Chief Counsel within established deadlines. Assist management officials in the implementation of organizational and procedural changes resulting from management studies and surveys. Conducts reviews of the full range of FOIA requests including those that are highly complex and sensitive. Knowledge of the procedures, rules and policies relating to the FOIA and Privacy Act needed to respond to FOIA requirements. Conducts special and ongoing analysis and studies that result from changes or modifications to current FOIA and Privacy Act rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Draft FOIA response letters. Utilize agency IT systems to conduct searches and retrieve records responsive to FOIA and Privacy Act requests. Provides consultative services to program offices. Ability to prepare management reports. Responsible for concurrence on all proposed directives materials, in terms of technical compliance with governing policies, procedures and practices affecting incorporation into the FMCSA Directives System. The ideal candidate should possess written and verbal communication skills, be able to function independently as well as in a team environment, and have a working knowledge of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and working with an agency's internal Directives Program. Candidate should possess organizational skills and ability to manage large case loads. Requirements

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance the organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel. A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience. To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience executing end-to-end processing of FOIA requests, including evaluating responsive records, performing line-by-line redactions, and applying FOIA exemptions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Experience searching electronic records and computer systems to locate and gather files requested under information privacy or public records rules. Experience utilizing agency's IT systems to conduct searches for responsive records to FOIA and Privacy Act requests. 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: Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services. Quality Management - Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance, quality control, and reliability used to ensure that a project, system, or product fulfills requirements and standards. Technical Competence - Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. For all types of consideration, 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 experience. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE: PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. To receive full credit during evaluation, your assessment responses must explicitly point back to your resume, as HR cannot make assumptions about your experience. You must write your narrative answers in full paragraph format, beginning each response with the exact position title, organization, employment dates (MM/YYYY–MM/YYYY), full-time/part-time, average hours worked per week, and federal series/grade (if applicable) as listed on your resume. Within the paragraph, clearly describe your specific individual duties, actions taken, tools used, and measurable outcomes to prove your level of expertise. HR will cross-check your narrative against your resume; if your resume does not fully support every detail and timeframe claimed in your written response, the claimed experience will be disallowed, which may result in an ineligible determination. All applicants: Your application will be reviewed in two phases determine how you move forward in the hiring process. Phase I: Your resume will be reviewed to determine your technical qualifications for this position based on the required specialized experience. ONLY two (2) pages of your resume will be reviewed. Additional information beyond your resume (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) will not be reviewed. Applicants passing “Phase I” will move on to the “Phase II” of the assessment process where your application will be reviewed and rated based on the KSAs/Competencies listed in the vacancy announcement by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). You may preview questions for this vacancy. Other Information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [email protected]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.