Government Information Specialist

Summary

Protect your homeland and defend your culture. Join USCIS, America’s frontline defense against illegal foreign infiltration and fraud. As a Government Information Specialist, you will research, interpret and apply FOIA/PA statutes and regulations while processing complex FOIA/PA cases..

Duties

• As a participant in the Pathways Recent Graduates Program, you will receive both formal and on-the-job training to develop the required knowledge and skill to successfully perform the responsibilities of the position.
• Receive, analyze, and process complex and sensitive Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests.
• Ensure compliance with FOIA/PA laws, regulations, and policies to adjudicate which information and documentation can be released.
• Determine whether responsive records are complete by researching and interpreting legal statues, records policies, and internal procedures.
• Provide accurate and timely technical assistance for disclosure of FOIA/PA records using automated processing systems to redact records and prepare all necessary correspondence, notices, and other documentation.

Requirements

• Pathways Participant Agreement: All Pathways Participants are required to sign the Pathways Program Participant Agreement which outlines program requirements and non-competitive conversion eligibility.
• Conditions of Employment: You must be a U.S.
• Citizen or U.S.
• National to apply for this position Successfully pass a Background Investigation including financial disclosure
• You must pass a drug screening Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the
• Selective Service Political appointees may require OPM approval before on-boarding USCIS applies the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 to its telework program
• This position IS NOT considered "essential" for purposes of reporting to work when the facility might otherwise be closed.
• Residency Requirement: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by U.S.
• Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• This residency requirement states that candidates must have, for three of the last five years immediately prior to applying for this position; (1) resided in the
• States; OR (2) worked for the
• Government as an employee overseas in a
• Military capacity, OR (3) been a dependent of a U.S.
• Federal or Military employee serving overseas.
• Trial Period: The duration of a Pathways appointment under Schedule D is a trial period.

Education

Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP): Per 5 CFR 576.202, An employee who receives a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) and later accepts employment for compensation with the Government of the United States within 5 years of the date of the separation on which the VSIP is based, including work under a personal services contract or other direct contract, must repay the entire amount of the VSIP to the agency that paid it (proof of payment is required) before the individual’s first day of reemployment. This is a Recent Graduate position in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year developmental program in the excepted service designed to lead to a civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied. RECENT GRADUATE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY To meet the Program requirements, you must have obtained a qualifying degree to include an Associates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, Doctorate, OR obtained a Vocational, Technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, within the previous two years. Veterans who were precluded from applying due to their military service obligation, begin their two year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years from the date on which the degree or certification was completed. If you have not yet conferred your degree or certificate, but will within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement, a letter from the school documenting current standing, degree being obtained and expected graduation date must be submitted with your application. Transcript required: You must submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable). If you don’t submit a transcript, we will not use your education when deciding if you’re qualified for the job. For verification purposes, the transcript submitted must include your name, the name of the institution, and the date your degree or certification was conferred.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits.” Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

Required Documents

• Resume: You must submit a resume that clearly demonstrates you have experience that meets the requirements of this position as outlined in the "Qualifications" section.
• Limit your resume to no more than two pages.
• The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
• To help ensure your resume remains clear and easy to read, we recommend using margins of at least 0.8 inches and a font size of at least 11 point.
• Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13000105, which are submitted through the on-line application process in USAJOBS, DO NOT need to be attached as an additional document to your application.
• Education: Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution.
• Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript.
• Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States.
• Your foreign education accreditation must come from an evaluation service that is endorsed by the Association of International Credential Evaluators or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
• Failure to provide foreign accreditation from one of these organizations will result in removal from consideration.
• Are you a veteran?
• You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility.
• The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable.
• If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point
• Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the
• Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification.
• This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions.
• View more veterans' information.
• Special Employment Consideration: The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled
• Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707.
• Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission.
• If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.
• To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
• Are you a current or former Federal employee?
• Submit a copy of your official SF-50* (no text version) or other official "Notification of Personnel Action" document that shows the following information:
• Your appointment in the competitive service tenure grade and step full performance level
• Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance
• Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance
• Program (ICTAP)? Submit: a copy of your agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating, and a copy of your most recent
• SF-50*, Notification of Personnel
• Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location. * A General
• Adjustment, Detail, Any
• Award (Cash, Time
• Off, Performance, etc.) or Realignment SF-50 may
• NOT have the information needed. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive
• U.S. Office of Personnel
• Management guidance and
• U.S. Office of Management and
• Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for
• DHS to share your application with others in
• DHS for similar positions. Common definitions for hiring terms found in this announcement.