Government Information Specialist

The position is located in the Centralized Support Division, St. Louis VA Regional Office. The Centralized Support Division has primary responsibility for conducting required management activities related to VBA paperwork management, Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), VBA forms and automated systems primarily used in the delivery of benefits and services to Veterans nationally.

The incumbent serves as the St. Louis VA Regional Office FOIA/Privacy Officer and is primarily responsible for the RO's compliance with all FOIA/PA laws to include regulations and guidance within each Act. The FOIA/PA oversees all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and adherence to the RO's policies and procedures covering privacy and access of Veteran, Veteran dependent and employee information in compliance with federal and state laws and VA privacy practices. Utilizes and maintains a comprehensive knowledge of the FOIA/Privacy Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Justice release of information regulations, Privacy Act System of Records processing, Office of Management and Budget guidance and other areas of administration and optional storage law. Works with RO senior management and legal counsel to establish and maintain a Privacy Program and serves in a leadership role for privacy related functions and oversight. Performs initial and periodic privacy risk assessments and conducts related ongoing compliance monitoring activities in coordination with VA and VBA component units. Reviews all system-related information security plans throughout the RO to ensure alignment between security and privacy practices. Daily, prepares responses and provides guidance on FOIA/Privacy Act requests from VBA components, and similar request from Congress, private citizens, news media, educators, researchers, etc. Preparation includes tracking requests, searching for records, reviewing, scanning, redacting and duplicating records responsive to requests. Serves as the RO liaison and subject matter expert to the Office of General Counsel on privacy appeals and FOIA appeals. Serves as a subject matter expert on FOIA/PA issues to assist and advise RO staff regarding the resolution of VBA problems/issues involving privacy and other release of information issues. Ensures compliance with the posting of privacy related incidents in the Privacy Violation Tracking System (PVTS) and Privacy and Security Events Tracking System (PSETS). Incumbent provides investigation support in Privacy and security related incidents as reported to the Security Operations Center (SOC). Initiates appropriate action on all complaints concerning VBA privacy policies and procedures in coordination and collaboration with other similar functions and, when necessary, legal counsel. Ensures compliance with privacy practices and consistent application of sanctions for failure to comply with privacy policies for all individuals in the RO, in cooperation with Human Resources, the information security officer, administration, and legal counsel, as applicable. Serves, as requested, as a VBA representative on internal task forces where informational law expertise is required. Maintains current knowledge on information law issues via Departmental guidance, Department of Justice case law update sessions and various FOIA/PA publications. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Position Description/PD#: Government Information Specialist, 034990A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Bargaining Unit: No