Government Information Specialist

This position is located at the National Cemetery Administration in Washington, District of Columbia.

The NCA FOIA Officer is responsible for the review and development of complex FOIA requests that cover all areas of the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). The NCA FOIA Officer serves as the primary resource on all aspects of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including issues of promises of confidentiality, withholding of sensitive administrative or contractual information, and the collection, retention, dissemination, and disposal of agency records. The NCA FOIA Officer responds to inquiries on identifiable documents in the possession and control of NCA, performs background research, analyzes and interprets existing regulations, policies, and procedures related to FOIA requests, and negotiates formal and informal agreements to resolve conflicts between requesters and providers of the information. The NCA FOIA Officer determines the impact on NCA of new legislative regulations from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and other regulatory entities. The NCA FOIA Officer serves as the knowledgeable Program Manager and primary contact point for NCA leadership in response to members of Congress, the public, the media, other agencies, and employees and officials of NCA who are seeking information about interpretation, policy, process and procedure, and technical assistance concerning access laws administered by NCA. The NCA FOIA Officer coordinates directly with requestors and other VA entities to facilitate the processing of FOIA requests, determines material to be exempted from release based on the legal FOIA exemption codes, and writes final draft correspondence for signature on behalf of the Director, EIS. The NCA FOIA Officer develops responses to requestors describing the processing of their FOIA/Privacy requests and explains what is and is not releasable to them under the FOIA, as well as the specific exemptions used to withhold information from them. The NCA FOIA Officer identifies FOIA/Privacy training and development needs of employees, provides or makes provisions for training as required, and conducts training classes and orientation briefings for NCA employees on FOIA and Privacy-related topics. The NCA FOIA Officer provides assistance and travels to subordinate activities, upon request, to ensure the FOIA and associated Privacy and Records Management (RM) programs are properly managed and maintained and to resolve problems, as applicable. The NCA FOIA Officer prepares required reports, briefings, slides, and necessary information to meet the requirements of VA and NCA regulations and to keep NCA leadership fully apprised of NCA FOIA, Privacy, and RM activities. The NCA FOIA Program has a dual purpose: to respond to all incoming FOIA requests made to NCA and to provide policy, guidance, and assistance to the field in all matters related to FOIA and associated legislation and guidelines, which may also align with the Privacy Act. The NCA FOIA Officer provides assistance with planning and provides direction, management, and oversight of all NCA FOIA Program activities. The NCA FOIA Officer interacts closely with all VA/NCA operations to ensure the program is consistent with the overall VA/NCA mission. The NCA FOIA Officer utilizes and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the FOIA, Privacy Act (PA), and Records Management programs and processes, VA confidentiality statutes, all VA, NCA, and Department of Justice (DOJ) privacy enforcement regulations, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, and other areas of administrative information law. Performs public outreach as needed. Work schedule: Required to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. May include occasional weekends. Due to the mission of the National Cemetery, the cemetery cannot be closed for more than 2 consecutive days at any given time. Additionally, when a Federal holiday falls on a Monday or Friday, staff may be required to work on that holiday or a Saturday. All staff is required to work Memorial Day and Veteran's Day each year. Staff will be required to work overtime, weekends and holidays when necessary to meet the needs of the cemetery. Occasionally staff may be called back to the facility to perform emergency overtime work. Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Remote/Virtual: This is not a virtual or remote position. Position Description Title/PD#: Government Information Specialist/PD1708222 The full performance level of this position is GS - 13. Relocation Expenses: Not Authorized Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required If interested in applying for this position you ay preview the online application: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13114140

There is no educational substitution at this grade level. PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.