About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with one vacancy in the listed locations. This position is also announced under vacancy number NMFS-26-13043856-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.
QualificationsQualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ EDUCATION: There is no positive education requirement for this position. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. 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. To qualify at the ZA-3 or GS-11 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-2 or GS-09 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Reviewing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for completeness and adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and regulations; Supporting educational training sessions on FOIA requirements, recommending training, and instructional information for staff; and Assisting in the assessment of privacy risks associated with programs, operations, and technology, or ensuring compliance with organizational privacy program requirements. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education and specialized experience may be used to meet the total experience requirements. Note: Only graduate-level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. To qualify at the ZA-4 or GS-13 level: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the ZA-3 or GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience MUST include all of the following: Analyzing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to review for completeness and adherence to organizational policies, procedures, and regulations; Conducting educational training sessions on FOIA requirements, recommending training, and instructional information for staff; and Supporting the assessment of privacy risks associated with programs, operations, and technology, and ensuring compliance with organizational privacy program requirements.
Major DutiesAs a Government Information Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Develop policy and procedures with regard to the administration of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); ensure and oversee National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)-wide compliance with FOIA regulations, and policies. Plan and conduct educational training sessions on FOIA requirements, recommend training, and instructional information for NMFS staff. Establish, clearly communicate, and enforce NMFS' policy and procedures for controlling, processing, and responding to FOIA requests in coordination with the Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), FOIA Officer, General Counsel (GC), and NMFS regional and Headquarter (HQ) representatives. Assess privacy risks associated with programs, operations, and technology; ensure compliance with agency privacy program requirements. NOTE: These duties are described at the full performance level of the ZA-4; the ZA-3 is developmental leading to such performance. This position will be filled under the DOC Alternative Personnel System (CAPS). Under CAPS, positions are classified by career, pay plan, and pay band. The ZA-3 is equivalent to the GS-11/12. The Full Performance Level is the ZA-4, which is equivalent to the GS-13/14.RequirementsKey Requirements: Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Additional Information. Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable (www.sss.gov) Qualification requirements must be met by closing date of the announcement. Additional Considerations: One year probationary period may be required. Payment of relocation expenses (PCS) is not authorized. Payment of relocation incentives OR recruitment incentives may be authorized. Note: Relocation incentives are for current federal employees only. The ZA-3 position requires Low Risk Security Clearance. The ZA-4 position requires Moderate Risk Security Clearance. Background investigation will be required. Continued employment is subject to applicant's successful completion of security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements will be grounds for termination. *Note: A one year probationary period will be required unless you are a current Department of Commerce (including NOAA) employee and are in the same line of work and with no more than a 30 day break in service. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, for those required to serve a 1-year probationary period, 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; Needs and interests of the agency; Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of then 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. Throughout the recruitment and hiring process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as possible so that we can update our system.