Government Information Specialist

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. The position makes unique facility-level determinations about disclosures issuance of denials redactions access use and dissemination of federal agency records. The position formulates policy ensures compliance with federal and state laws and conducts thorough research of federal implementing regulations.
Major Duties include:

• 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.
• Develops the local privacy strategy that integrates the VHA Medical Center or Healthcare System
• Leverages key functions of the authority delegated from the facility Director to make final decisions of data disclosure initiate independent investigations conduct compliance activities and implement physical technical and administrative safeguards across the facility
• Additionally the Privacy/FOIA Officer will interact with high ranking external stakeholders to include Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) Congressional representatives.
• 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.
• Creates unique written policies that define the enterprise privacy principles guidance and practices that influence the data governance model for the organization.
• Systematically approves all facility policies and reviews business practices to ensure appropriate use and protection of information specific to each functional area.
• Strengthens and sustains the operational life cycle of the privacy/FOIA program by developing communication strategy that fosters awareness for both internal and external partners to improve compliance provide training and engage the public

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 02/03/2026.

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 GS12 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 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: 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. Experience as a Privacy/FOIA officer working independently with little supervision formulating policy ensures compliance with federal and state laws and conducting thorough research of implementing regulations and policies and procedures to manage agency/organization information; providing assistance and services to the general public staff members and communicated information to the Executive leadership facility staff and outside stakeholders.