Government Information Specialist

The Office of the Inspector General is one of the best places to work in the Department of Justice and is one of the premier inspector general offices in federal government. The OIG's OGC is a collegial office of 4 attorneys and 5 government information specialists. OGC provides legal advice on complex issues relevant to general OIG operations and specific OIG audits, investigations, inspections, and reviews.

Duties

GS-13 Duties

If you are selected as an Government Information Specialist, your responsibilities would include the below duties, but would not be limited to:

• Coordinating and processing FOIA and Privacy Act requests, performing work at all levels of the FOIA fulfillment process;
• Independently applying FOIA exemptions and making disclosure determinations;
• Preparing proposed responses for final submission to FOIA requesters ensuring that outgoing FOIA responses are accurate and include releasable materials;
• Researching and reviewing issues related to complex and/or high-level sensitive FOIA matters, clarify issues, and evaluate the needs for additional information or collaboration;
• Coordinating or assist with FOIA appeals and litigation matters, including preparing the declarations as needed regarding the processing of particular information requests.
• Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

GS-12 Duties:

If you are selected as a Government Information Specialist GS-12, your responsibilities would include the below duties, but would not be limited to:

• Independently apply FOIA exemptions and make disclosure determinations; Research and review issues related to complex and/or high-level sensitive FOIA matters, clarify issues, and evaluate the need for additional information or collaboration;
• Utilizing information technology tools to upload and analyze responsive records; and apply redactions to material within agency records which are exempt from disclosure;
• Establishing and maintaining a significant network of contacts internal and external to the agency. Conduct one-on-one or group discussions with contacts as necessary to finalize FOIA responses;
• Properly handle and process sensitive and classified information in accordance with agency policies and department-wide regulations;
• Assisting the AUSA and other government attorneys in the preparation of the agency's defense in FOIA litigation, which include preparing declarations and Vaughn indices, as well as meeting required production schedules set forth by counsel.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Salary

• $102,415 - $158,322/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• You must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• You must be registered for the Selective Service, if applicable.
• You must successfully pass and are subject to random drug screenings.
• You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be subject to a probationary period.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience GS-12: To qualify at the GS-12 level you must possess one year (52 weeks) or more of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-11 level grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled and has equipped and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Participating directly in the implementation of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program with independent responsibilities for processing requests for records; AND
• Interpreting laws, regulations, polices, and guidance regarding access to records and information and apply such laws, regulations, policies, and guidance

Specialized Experience GS-13: To qualify at the GS-13 level you must possess one year (52 weeks) or more of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility and scope to the GS-12 level grade level in the federal sector, or the equivalent in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that is typically in or related to work of the position to be filled and has equipped and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. For this position your specialized experience must demonstrate the following:

• Performing duties or functions such as applying federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidance regarding access to records and information, specifically, extensive work independently processing and responding to requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act; AND
• Participating in all aspects of an agency's FOIA/Privacy Act Program.

You must also meet the specialized experience listed at the GS-12 level to qualify for the GS-13.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade level (or equivalent).

Your resume and supporting documents must also clearly demonstrate that you have the experience listed to qualify for this position.

Education There are no education requirements for this position. Other Information DOJ EEO Statement/Policy: http://www.justice.gov/jmd/eeos/08-eeo-policy.pdfAs the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce. To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov. Required Documents

• Resume
  • Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be removed from consideration for this announcement. The resume and required supporting documentation should provide the minimum qualifications and relevant experience for the announced position. 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, and 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.
• SF-50 documentation (if applicable)
  • Must document (most recent Promotion, Within Rate Increase, or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or Notification of Personnel Action if you are applying as a current or former Federal Employee) that shows you have acquired competitive status, and the highest grade or promotion potential you held.
• CTAP/ICTAP documentation (if applicable)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
  • The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP): provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and (for scored examining) score 85 or better on established ranking criteria OR (for category rating criteria) rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.
• Veterans' Preference documentation (if applicable)
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Member Copy #4 or other proof of eligibility.
  • If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here.
• Schedule A documentation (if applicable)
  • Schedule A: DOJ welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. DOJ also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 04/14/2026to receive consideration.

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The application process is as follows:

1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.
5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements)
6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can reuse the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://www.usajobs.gov. On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you.

The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.