Privacy Officer (Government Information Specialist)

This position serves as the Privacy and Freedom of Information Act Officer in a VHA facility. The Government Information Specialist contributes to the fulfillment of the VA mission and vision by planning, designing, implementing and maintaining appropriate and effective program, policies and procedures in a VHA facility. The incumbent fulfills the role of liaison with the facility staff by ensuring that information received is disseminated to the appropriate areas, that employees adhere to mandates from regulatory agencies, and that monitoring is conducted to ensure VA policies and procedures are being followed. In addition the Government Information Specialist promotes an awareness of privacy principles consistent with the mission, vision and values of the organization and those required by federal law. Duties include but are not limited to:

Privacy/Freedom of information Act program development and education.

Privacy investigations.

Reviewing Documents.

Responding to Freedom of information act requests.

Participate in committees.

Maintain the facility Tumor Registry.

Work schedule : Monday – Friday, 8:00 am through 4:30 pm.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule : Not Available.

Telework : Not Available.

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Position Description Title/PD# : Privacy Officer (Government Information Specialist)/ PD# 60265-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/21/2017.

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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. 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. 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-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Managing the Freedom of Information Act program and the Privacy Act, working with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Reading and interpreting laws and regulations in order to train others in the infomration, and Developing internal monitoring programs. OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you mut have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a Master’s or equivalent graduate degree or beyond 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. : Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant’s total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant’s education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

Compliance Inspection

Technology Application

Writing

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; religions; 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.

Note : A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, requiring concentration to detail. Incumbent sits comfortable to do the work. There is some walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, pushing a cart and carrying items such s manuals, files, and medical records. The work does not require physical demands, however some of the work will require the incumbent to view a computer screen and eyestrain may occur.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations where patients receive care or who come into contact with VA patients as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, paid and unpaid, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, students, researchers, volunteers, and trainees who work at these facilities.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume

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), 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

OF-306

Other

Other Veterans Document

Resume

SF-15

SF-50

Transcript

Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 “Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference” with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans’ Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .