KEY REQUIREMENTS



• You must be a U.S. citizen or national to apply for this position.
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• You must meet the Selective Service requirements, if applicable.
• All supporting documents must be received by the closing date.

As a Freedom of Information Specialist at the full developmental level, you will be responsible for:

• Reviewing complex requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

• Review and respond to appeal requests and provide advice and training to central and regional office Freedom of Information staff.

• Negotiating with requestors regarding scope of requests, adequacy of records available, alternative responses, payment of costs, among others.

• Working as a member of the training teams, assisting in the preparation of and conducting training for Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services employees and management officials on the basic provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

In order to be qualified at the GS-09 level, you must possess one of the following:

Foreign Education:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program.  For further information, click on foreign education.

Time-in-Grade : Career or career-conditional current and former Federal employees who select to apply under merit promotion procedures must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level of this position.

Conditions of Employment:

1. Security and Background Requirements: If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action. 

·    Optional Form 306 – Declaration of Federal Employment – available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of306.pdf. This form is not required to be submitted at the time of submitting your application. However, if selected, this form will be required prior to final job offer.

2. E-Verify: If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3. Direct Deposit: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

4. All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of the announcement.

5. Financial disclosure statement may be required.

6. One-year probationary period may be required.

7. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will be paid: No

8. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes   

9. Drug Screening Required: No

10. Recruitment incentives may be authorized: No

11. Student loan repayment incentive authorized: No

12. Annual leave for non-federal service authorized: No

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the application process is complete, a review of the best-qualified applications will be conducted.  The résumé and supporting documentation will be compared against the applicant's responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if the applicant is qualified for this job. If, after reviewing the applicant's résumé and supporting documentation, a determination is made that the applicant has inflated his/her qualifications and/or experience, the applicant may lose consideration for this position and/or the applicant's score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect his/her skills and abilities.  Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

For Competitive Applicants/All U.S. Citizens:  Eligible candidates will be assigned to a quality category: Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified.  Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.  Please note that applicants with veterans preference in the highest category have selection rights over applicants without veterans preference.  Applicants with veterans preference may be referred on a veterans-only certificate to the selecting official ahead of non-veterans for consideration and selection.

For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants:  The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

For Noncompetitive Applicants:  All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.

Application of Veterans' Preference:  The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.  Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher.) 

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

Technical Competence – Freedom of Information Act
Problem Solving
Oral Communication
Written Communication 
  

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: View Occupational Questionnaire 

The Federal government offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.opm.gov/retire/retire_jobseekers.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement (including Character of Service) from your command if currently on active duty. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form.  For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ .

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, the veteran must 1) be a preference eligible; or 2) be a veteran separated after 3 or more years of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. (you must submit a DD214-member copy 4).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: This program applies to Federal workers whose positions have been deemed 'surplus' or no longer needed, or an employee has been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service.  To receive selection priority for this position, you must be rated 'well-qualified'.  For information on how to apply and what documents to submit as an CTAP/ICTAP eligible, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.  Candidates must meet or exceed the Well-Qualified category (85) to be considered as an ICTAP eligible.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

http://www.opm.gov/hr_practitioners/lawsregulations/appointingauthorities/

Hiring Authorities for Veterans

People with Disabilities

Selective Service: The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that all male applicants born after 12/31/59 who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, be registered or they are not eligible for appointment to this position.  For further information concerning Selective Service requirements, please visit http://www.sss.gov/.

Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the on-line assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To return to your saved application materials, log in at: https://applicationmanager.gov/ and click on Vacancy ID 738521.

If you cannot apply online, you will need to:

1) Print the instructions and questionnaire by clicking View Occupational Questionnaire.

2) Print the 1203FX form to record your responses to the questionnaire.

3) Fax the completed 1203FX (all 6 pages but do not include a Cover Page for this document) to:  1-478-757-3144.

4) Print the  Fax Cover Page and include with any supporting documents you fax (e.g., résumé, transcripts, veterans documentation, etc.) to the same fax number above.

Please do not complete steps 1-4 above if you are applying on-line.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

·     Your Resume - If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed.

·     Responses to the Assessment Questionnaire

Other Supporting Documents: (Only submit if applicable to you.)

·     College transcripts (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)

·     Standard Form 50 (if you are a current or former Federal service employee)

·     Veterans' Preference documentation (Copy of DD-214 provided must show type of discharge/character of service

·     CTAP/ICTAP documentation

·     PHS Commissioned Corps Officer must submit a copy of latest personnel order

·     Noncompetitive appointing authority documentation

APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59PM (EASTERN TIME) BY Wednesday, September 26, 2012

For Resume and Application Tips visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/Tutorials-Resume.pdf

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.  You will receive notice via email or by mail (if no email address was provided by you during the application process) once this process is completed (generally 4 - 6 weeks).