Department: Department of Health and Human Services
Location(s): Woodlawn, Maryland
Salary Range: $57736 - $91815 Per Year
Job Summary: This position is located in the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs(OSORA), Division of the Freedom of Information Group (FIG). As a Government Information Specialist, GS-0306-7/9, you will review complex requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act and provides advice and training to Central and Regional Office Freedom of Information staff.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: ALL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. Your resume (limited to no more than 2 pages) must include detailed information as it relates to the responsibilities and specialized experience for this position. Evidence of copying and pasting directly from the vacancy announcement without clearly documenting supplemental information to describe your experience will result in an ineligible rating. This will prevent you from receiving further consideration. In order to qualify for the GS-07, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector), to include: 1) Assisting in implementing established FOIA policies and procedures for assigned program areas by applying statutory and regulatory requirements under guidance; AND 2) Researching, analyzing, and reviewing records and materials related to FOIA requests to support determinations on suitability for public disclosure, in accordance with established guidance and procedures; AND 3)Assisting in developing FOIA training materials and providing guidance to employees to support agency compliance and improve processing accuracy. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-07 level by having 1 full academic year of graduate education, or law school, or Superior Academic Achievement. I have a bachelor's degree and Superior Academic Achievement (SAA). SAA is defined as meeting one of the following: 1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0or higher based on a 4.0 scale as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years ofcurriculum; 2) a 3.5 GPA or higher based on a 4.0 scale as computed based on the required courses completed in a major field of study, or the requiredcourses completed in the major field during the final two years of curriculum; 3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college,university, or major subdivision of the college; OR 4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College HonorSocieties, excluding freshman honor societies.(NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION) - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: You must have a combination of specialized experience and graduate education that equates to 100% of the requirements for the GS-07. TRANSCRIPTS are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to substitution of education for experience and combination of experience and education. Please see "Required Documents" section below for what documentation is required at the time of application. In order to qualify for the GS-09, you must meet the following: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one year (52 weeks) of qualifying specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal government, obtained in either the private or public sector, to include: 1) Assisting in developing, interpreting, and implementing FOIA policies and procedures for assigned program areas, ensuring consistent application of statutory and regulatory requirements; AND 2) Researching, analyzing, and reviewing sensitive records and materials related to FOIA requests to determine suitability for public disclosure, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency guidance; AND 3) Assisting in developing and delivering FOIA training and guidance to employees and management officials to support agency compliance, improve processing accuracy, and reduce operational risk. - OR - Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute education for specialized experience at the GS-09 level by possessing a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related to the position being filled. (NOTE: TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION) - OR - Combination of Experience and Education: Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the GS-07 grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the grade GS-09. Therefore, only education in excess of 1 full year of graduate-level education may be used to combine education and experience. TRANSCRIPTS are required to verify satisfactory completion of the educational requirement related to the substitution of education for experience and the combination of experience and education. Please refer to the "Required Documents" section below for the documentation required at the time of application. Time-in-Grade: To be eligible, current or former Federal employees and current or former Federal employees applying under the VEOA eligibility who hold or have held a permanent General Schedule position in the previous year must have served at least 52 weeks (one year) at the next lower grade level from the position/grade level(s) to which they are applying. 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. Click the following link to view the occupational questionnaire: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12903059
How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents sections. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/23/2026. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/23/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. Commissioned Corps Officers (including Commissioned Corps professionally boarded applicants) who are interested in applying to this position must send their 1-page cover letter and 2-page ONLY professional resume (not PHS Curriculum Vitae) to CMSCorpsJobs@cms.hhs.gov in lieu of applying through this announcement. The resume should specifically explain how you are qualified for this position and draw specific attention to your skills and experiences that demonstrate these qualifications. Also, send any transcripts, licenses, or certifications as requested in this announcement. Please send all documents in 1 PDF file. In the subject line of your e-mail, include only the Job Announcement Number. In the body of your e-mail, include your current rank name and serial number. Failure to provide this information may impact your consideration for this position. Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
Application Deadline: 2026-03-23