Supervisory General Attorney (FOIA)

The FOIA Unit is a highly collegial group composed of three attorneys and four government information specialists who process approximately 2,200 FOIA and Privacy Act requests per year.

The Assistant General Counsel for FOIA will be responsible for:

• leading agency-wide compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act while protecting privileged and confidential information;
• serving as the deciding official for most FOIA and Privacy Act requests, and ensuring efficient assignment and work flow of incoming requests;
• where necessary, participating directly in negotiations with FOIA requestors and working directly with agency personnel to respond to requests;
• actively assisting internal and external agency counsel in ongoing FOIA litigation;
• tracking and managing the overall FOIA program;
• providing training to senior leadership and liaisons;
• implementing administrative appeal decisions made by the Chief FOIA Officer; and
• providing advice and counsel on aspects of the Freedom of Information Act and best practices for complying with the Act.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• This position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• Possess a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory - US, PR, DC.
• The position may be subject to completion of a two-year trial period. Trial periods are an extension of the hiring process.
• This position is not in the bargaining unit.
• If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the two-year trial period

Qualifications:
Minimum Requirements:
Applicants must have attained the first professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) from an accredited law school and be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. Applicants must demonstrate excellent writing skills and be able to work effectively with other people, exercise sound judgment, and exhibit a strong interest in the work of the agency.

Additional Requirements:

GS-15 Positions
For attorney appointments: active member of the bar in good standing and 60 months of legal experience after graduation from law school.

Note: Legal and nonlegal experience gained in the Federal Government before completing law school does not satisfy post law school experience.
requirements.

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

Education:
This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Foreign Education (http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html)