Summary
Serves as a Government Information Specialist and assumes a role as an expert in the dissemination and disclosure of Agency records requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA).
Duties
The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Processes all types of FOIA requests, comprising of business, personnel, scientific, and Agency policy records.
Conducts a word-by-word analysis of records to determine their responsiveness to the requests and applicability of specific FOIA and PA exemptions.
Reviews Agency records and determines what information can be released or must be withheld under the FOIA and the PA, applying established exemptions and agency guidance.
Serves as a technical resource on the proper handling, dissemination, and disclosure of Agency records in response to FOIA and PA requests.
Works with Agency program offices and other USDA components to gather records, coordinate searches, and reach agreement on record release determinations.
Clearly explains FOIA and Privacy Act issues to program staff, requesters, media representatives, attorneys, and other stakeholders.
Provides input and recommendations to FOIA leadership on the interpretation and application of FOIA and PA policies, laws, and regulations.
Conducts research, gathers background information, reviews responsive records, and completes information packages for management review and signature in response to requests.
Processes and coordinates appeal and litigation responses with the Agency Program FOIA Coordinators, supervisors, the FOIA Officer, and the Office of the General Counsel.
Education
This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by your experience, education, training, responses to the application questionnaire and the responses to all assessments required for this position demonstrated in your application package to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies listed below: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Influencing/Negotiating Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Additional Information - USA Hire Online Assessment All applicants are required to complete the online USA Hire assessment to be considered for the position for this vacancy. Applicants will not be given the opportunity to complete the online USA Hire assessment outside of the assigned assessment window for this vacancy. The assessment window closes 48 hours after the posted closing date and time of the announcement. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13084307