Duties

Summary

As a Government Information Assistant, the incumbent will be responsible for providing technical assistance to the administration of the EEOC's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs. The work involves a wide range of FOIA duties that support the processing and rendering of decisions regarding FOIA requests for Headquarters agency records, appeals from field office initial determinations on requests, and other information.
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Responsibilities

As a Government Information Assistant in FOIA Programs, you will perform the following duties:

1. Provide technical assistance with the administration of the agency's FOIA and Privacy Act programs.
2. Support the processing and rendering of decisions regarding FOIA requests for Headquarters agency records, appeals from field office initial determinations on requests and other information.
3. Exercise independent judgment, and comprehensive working knowledge of FOIA processes, policies and procedures.
4. Download FOIA requests, appeals, status inquiries, and other FOIA communications from the official agency FOIA websites.
5. Log incoming and completed requests and appeal processing information into FOIAXpress (FX).
6. Apply practical knowledge of the agency's FOIA/Privacy Act to accurately communicate standard information concerning the status of requests and appeals to the public and internal staff.
7. Provide substantial assistance and support to resolve complaints from requester(s) and the public concerning FOIA processing delays and other matters by enlisting assistance from the responsible field FOIA component.
8. Knowledgeable of the functions performed by other agency offices/programs to quickly respond to public inquiries and FOIA requests.
9. Maintain accurate records of the number and nature of public inquiries received in the Office of Legal Counsel and compiles data as needed for fulfilling its reporting requirements.
10. Coordinate as needed with staff, including high level officials, within and outside the agency.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
7

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period

Qualifications

For the GS-7: You must have one-year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level. Specialized experience includes having knowledge of standard processes and procedures of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and having knowledge of basic policies governing submission of FOIA requests.

Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-6 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS- 7 level.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Education

Additional information

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across EEOC.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document that you do not have in electronic form, please contact the HR Specialist listed in this vacancy.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites:

• Persons with Disabilities, Schedule A
• Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
• Special Hiring Authorities for Certain Military Spouses
• Family of overseas employees
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA
• Foreign Service Employees

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see: https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration )

All employees of the Federal government are subject to the conflict of interest statutes and regulations including the Standards of Ethical Conduct that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. This position may require the incumbent to complete a confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements will be certified for further consideration. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Administration and Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Technical Competence

All qualified Non Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Your Resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

Other supporting documents:

• Cover Letter, optional
• If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify the highest grade you held on a permanent basis, Pay Plan/Pay Schedule, Series, and Grade/Pay Band, and career status. Multiple SF-50's may be submitted to demonstrate your highest previous rate and eligibility.
• *WARNING: An award SF-50 (ex. cash or time off award) may not indicate grade, step and competitive status.
  
• Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.
  • Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
  • Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
  • Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
• Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement.
• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee - you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows: a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service.
• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, Veterans Recruitment Appointment, and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: : DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days.
• Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13473: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, issued within the last 2 years, that lists you as authorized to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).
• Certain Family Members Eligible under E.O. 12721: Your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal.
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: A copy of your Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA: A copy of your Peace Corp Description of Service (DOS) Letter, SF-50, or your VISTA Verification of Service letter from your representative after successful completion of the program.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents will result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.