Government Information Specialist-Privacy/FOIA Officer

Veterans Affairs$80K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in data governance and privacy compliance
  • Experience with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processes
  • Proven ability to lead strategic management initiatives
  • Strong analytical skills for evaluating data and compliance
  • Prior experience in developing and executing privacy policies

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement a local data governance strategy
  • Make final decisions on data disclosure and conduct investigations
  • Establish control areas for information management within the facility
  • Plan and conduct monitoring activities for operational compliance
  • Integrate policy processes that influence data lifecycle management

Benefits

  • Access to comprehensive federal benefits package
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Potential relocation/recruitment incentives authorized
  • Work-life balance with standard Monday to Friday schedule
  • Healthcare options for employees and family members
Full Job Description
Summary

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has adopted the VHA Freedom of Information Act Program for the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and establishes policy to comply with FOIA. The Facility Privacy/FOIA Officer has oversight for the data governance program and initiatives in the VHA Medical Center or Healthcare System and its supporting catchment area.

Duties

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The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Supports developing a local level strategy for data governance, which includes leading from the executive office and creating a unique program that includes diverse processes and specific policies which are independent of other facilities.
  • Leverages key functions of the authority delegated from the facility Direct to make final decisions of data disclosure, initiates independent investigations, conduct compliance activities and implement physical, technical, and administrative safeguards across the facility.
  • Develops and executes strategic management initiatives that establishes areas of control of information within the facility and interfaces with all business operations across service lines/departments.
  • Plans and conducts monitoring activities which measure the overall level of operational compliance by the facility.
  • Develops and integrates policy-based processes, role and controls that influences how data is created, collected, used, stored and destroyed throughout the organization.


Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Government Information Specialist-Privacy/FOIA Officer/PD99843S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Professional Certification
  • Proof of Marriage Status
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Time in Grade and/or Eligibility):

  • Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee
  • An SF-50 showing your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade
  • Award 50's do not provide sufficient information and will not be accepted for the purpose of verifying time-in-grade.
  • Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:
    • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
    • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
    • SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/24/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

  • Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: researching, analyzing, and evaluating data for response to information requests; assembling and reviewing proposed FOIA release packages, reviewing and analyzing appeals from denials of access to records requested under FOIA and recommending final agency decision on release/non-release of records; developing, implementing, and maintaining privacy policies and procedures; evaluating the impact of the Privacy Act and regulations on the organization's activities.


For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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