Candidates should have moderate to excellent oral communication, writing, research and analysis skills, and the ability to work effectively with other people, exercise some sound judgment. Qualifications for Grade 07 You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level, OR equivalent public or private sector experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Assists in analyzing incoming DHS FOIA requests to establish course of action based on the FOIA law, DHS regulations, FOIA directives and FOIA case law. Review documents in accordance with DHS FOIA protocols which include annotating appropriate FOIA exemptions on records. Generates response letters to requesters detailing DHS FOIA review and release determination. OR Substitution of Education: Successful completion at least one full year of graduate level education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to conduct the work of this position, such as fields that include Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, etc. One full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application; OR A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership: Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (GPA.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. Qualifications for Grade 09 You qualify at the GS-09 grade level if you possess one of the following: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, OR equivalent public or private sector experience. For this position, specialized experience is defined as: Researching and reviewing the content of records to make disclosure determinations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Providing advice relating to FOIA requests for access and disclosure. Implementing FOIA policies and procedures to ensure compliance with FOIA program requirements. OR Substitution of Education: Successful completion at least one full year of graduate level education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to conduct the work of this position, such as fields that include Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, etc. 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., or A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. NOTE: Only graduate education in excess of the first year may be used to qualify for the GS-09 level. Preferred Experience: At least one year in public service that has provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. All requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. 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. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not ICTAP eligible. View information about ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered eligible under ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement. Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result.