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Summary The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In our dynamic environment, the OIG conducts investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DHS programs and operations. Responsibilities This position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Counsel to the Inspector General, Office of Inspector General (OlG), Information Law and Disclosure Division. The DHS OIG has statutory oversight responsibility for the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight responsibility includes conducting and reporting on audits, inspections, investigations, and special inquiries of all overseas and domestic organizational entities of the Department, as well as all Department employees, contractors, and grantees. Serves as Senior Government Information Specialist for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy (PA) requests. Conducts training on disclosure issues for DHS OIG staff and assists in training new contractors, detailees, and other new FOIA/PA processing personnel hired at the OIG. Serves as a DHS OIG FOIA/PA liaison with the DHS FOIA/PA office and represents the DHS OIG on FOIA matters at departmental and external meetings, conferences, and seminars. Responsible for ensuring quality work product from other GIS employees. Reviews, plans, executes, and reports on significant metrics, including completion reports. Analyzes, evaluates, and strategically plans resolutions to challenges, such as evaluating changes that could result from new legislative or regulatory guidelines, or from variations in demand for program services. Typical assignments include: Evaluating policy/procedural changes proposed by DHS components to determine consistency with the FOIA, implementing regulations, and existing DHS policies and practices. Conducting detailed analysis of requests and preparing responses for the signature of the OIG official(s) delegated authority to sign such letters. Performing second-line reviews of processed FOIA requests. Providing technical assistance to other DHS OIG Government Information Specialists, contractors, and agency personnel regarding the FOIA. Assist in preparing legal documents, including affidavits, declarations, and evidentiary material in support of decisions to withhold and disclose information under the FOIA and PA for use in court proceedings, appeals, and litigation involving the OIG. Reviewing miscellaneous OIG and DHS policies and directives to evaluate their potential impact on the OIG. Represents the OIG in FOIA matters at departmental and external meetings, conferences, and seminars. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. 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). You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level in the federal service which has given you the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the GS-13. Specialized experience at this level may include: Providing guidance on analyzing complex requests for the release of records under the FOIA, to determine the appropriate disposition. Developing agency policy and procedures regarding the administration of FOIA and Privacy Act. Planning and conducting training sessions for agency staff, contractors, detailees, and consultants. Analyzing FOIA/PA processes to determine pinch points, as well as preparing, presenting on, and implementing improvements. You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level in the federal service which has given you the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the GS-14. Specialized experience at this level may include: Analyzing complex requests for the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); Researching and analyzing requests for disclosure of information from individuals, and public or private entities; Developing policies and procedures with regard to the administration of FOIA and Privacy Act; Planning and conducting training sessions for support staff (i.e. contractors, detailees, and consultants supporting the agency); Performing second-line reviews of processed FOIA requests; Providing technical assistance in the FOIA to other DHS OIG Government Information Specialists, contractors, and agency personnel; and Performing oversight and management of the administrative process in FOIA litigation. 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. The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date 09/19/2024 of this announcement. Current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade level or equivalent grade band in the federal service. The time-in-grade requirement must be met by the closing date 09/19/2024of this announcement. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Education Additional Information 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. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation for Secret clearance as a condition of placement into this position. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. 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. Additional identical positions may be filled from this announcement at a later date.