Government Information Specialist

Summary

This position is located in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs (OSORA), Freedom of Information Group (FIG). As a Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-9/11, you will assist and support higher-graded specialists and senior staff, relating to the Privacy Act (PA), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) issues.

Duties

• Provide assistance by answering routine questions relating to Privacy Act, FOIA requests, and PII issues.
• Work with senior staff and management on the initial planning aspects and overall objectives of each case; perform fact-finding research.
• Review sensitive materials and provide input for actions on such documents.
• Identify and raise issues to senior staff or management when incoming requests are controversial, precedent-setting, or there is disagreement among action offices on processing the request.
• Screen material prior to release to ensure that documents are releasable and do not conflict with the exemptions of the FOIA/PA/PII.

Qualifications

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 12/31/2026. Initial cutoff day for referral of eligible applications will be 10/29/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at 3-week intervals. You will only be evaluated based off your initial application. ALL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Your resume (limited to no more than 2 pages) must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. In order to qualify for the GS-09, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: (1) Processing and reviewing incoming Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests under supervision, identifying sensitive records, and responding to requests for which disclosure policy has already been established; (2) Screening materials with senior staff prior to release to ensure compliance with FOIA, Privacy Act, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) exemptions, and completing certifications for "no records" findings; AND (3) Assisting higher-level specialists in researching FOIA developments, court decisions, and legislative activity, and compiling data in support of organization-wide FOIA reporting. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-09 level by possessing a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the position being filled. - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-07 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the grade GS-09. Therefore, only education in excess of 1 full year of graduate-level education may be used to combine education and experience. TRANSCRIPTS are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to the substitution of education for experience and the combination of experience and education. Please refer to the "Required Documents" section below for the documentation required at the time of application. In order to qualify for the GS-11, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: (1) Researching and reviewing requests involving sensitive or proprietary records, and making recommendations for disclosure determinations in accordance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) requirements; (2) Monitoring and evaluating FOIA program status and execution, advising organization directorates on applicable policies and procedures, and preparing briefings for management; AND (3) Serving as a FOIA liaison on routine and emerging issues, escalating controversial or precedent-setting matters, and providing guidance to FOIA coordinators to ensure consistent, organization-wide processing standards. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-11 level by possessing a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or equivalent doctoral degree or LL.M., if related to the position being filled. - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-09 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the grade GS-11. Therefore, only education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree may be used to combine education and experience. TRANSCRIPTS are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to the substitution of education for experience and the combination of experience and education. Please refer to the "Required Documents" section below for the documentation required at the time of application. 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. Time-in-Grade: To be eligible, current or former Federal employees and current or former Federal employees applying under the VEOA eligibility who hold or have held a permanent General Schedule position in the previous year must have served at least 52 weeks (one year) at the next lower grade level from the position/grade level(s) to which they are applying. Click the following link to view the occupational questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13072782

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the results of the online assessments required for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork In order to be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Other Information

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923 Tour of Duty: Flexible Recruitment Incentive: Not Authorized Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not Required Workplace Flexibility at CMS: This position has a regular and recurring reporting requirement to the CMS office listed in this announcement. CMS offers flexible working arrangements and allows employees the opportunity to participate in alternative work schedules at the manager's discretion. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced federal employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit the required documentation and be rated well-qualified for this vacancy. Click here for a detailed description of the required supporting documents. A well-qualified applicant is one whose knowledge, skills and abilities clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements of the position. Additional information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.