Supervisory Government Information Specialist

Summary

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration's (PHMSA) mission is to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our lives. To do this, the agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. We also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur.

Duties

The Supervisory Government Information Specialist: Oversees FOIA requests from intake through final response, including managing a personal docket, reviewing records, applying exemptions, conducting consultations, and drafting responses and correspondence. Supervises FOIA Office personnel by assigning work, establishing deadlines, conducting performance appraisals, and providing guidance, mentoring, training, and career development. Leads and manages the PHMSA FOIA program, developing and improving policies, processes, and procedures, and maintaining a comprehensive FOIA reference guide aligned with changes in law and policy. Serves as PHMSA's primary FOIA liaison with DOT's FOIA Officer and other modal administrations, while participating in Department-wide FOIA management meetings and coordinating on non-FOIA media and document-production matters. Acts as the primary FOIA program-management contact for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, industry, educational institutions, news media, and the general public. The ideal candidate for this position is a senior level professional with demonstrated experience and extensive knowledge of FOIA rules, regulations and procedures that supplies them with the skill to oversee an agency- wide FOIA program, and related records management and privacy issues. Experience handling Exemption 4 consultations and with FOIAXpress is highly desired. Experience or training in the legal field is also highly desired.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience managing and evaluating an organization-wide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or public records program; doing legal research and working with lawyers to create executive-level reports and recommendations. Experience planning and leading research on records management, electronic request tracking software, and privacy policies where laws conflict, clear rules or past examples do not exist, or where multiple organizations share responsibility. Experience analyzing and incorporating new court decisions, legal changes, and official government updates directly into an organization's records management, public disclosure, and privacy policies. To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience serving as the final authority and executive leader for an organization's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public records program, including setting long-term strategy and resolving unprecedented legal or policy conflicts. Experience leading a department or program by directing staff, setting work priorities, managing budgets, and holding teams accountable for meeting organizational performance goals. Experience establishing organization-wide goals, designing metrics to measure success, and leading projects to replace outdated policies or update electronic tracking systems to improve the efficiency and quality of public disclosure and privacy programs. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Oral/Written Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations. For all types of consideration, 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. For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Requirements

• •You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• •You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• •Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• •Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.