Summary This 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 release of information under the Privacy Act (PA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for compensation and pension records and researching/obtaining military service records used in the delivery of benefits and services to Veterans nationally. Responsibilities Serve 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. Oversees all ongoing activities related to the development, implementation, maintenance, and adherence to policies and procedures covering privacy and access of Veteran, Veteran dependent and employee information. 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. 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. 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. 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 HR, the information security officer, administration, and legal counsel. Serves, as requested, as a VBA representative on internal task forces where informational law expertise is required. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/25/2024. The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's) group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Specialized Experience: GS-13: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-12) in the federal, state, local, public, or private sector. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: (1) Preparing releases of information for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests; and(2) Developing guidance regarding FOIA requests; and (3) Advising personnel on FOIA and Privacy Act (PA) procedures. There is no provision to substitute education for experience at the GS-13 grade level. Note: 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 you document, to include volunteer experience. Education There is no provision to substitute education for experience at the GS-13 grade level. Additional Information This is not a Virtual/Remote Position. Work Schedule: Regular office hours, Monday -Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Alternate work schedules may be available. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Promotion Potential: The full performance level of this position is grade GS-13. VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process. Telework is subject to approval by individual supervisors and managers, is considered a privilege not a right, is subject to approval based on performance and other varying factors, and is not guaranteed. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. "Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act," the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), https://www.va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf." This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.