Government Information Specialist - Arlington, United States - Department Of Labor

Description

Summary

This position is in the Mine Safety and Health Enforcement (MSHE). Position assists in the execution and coordination of all aspects of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) programs. MSHE is also responsible for MSHA's programs and policies that affect broad areas of the mining industry.

This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Duties

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):

• Directs the exchange of ideas between field offices and the national office for the implementation of new policies, procedures, and problem-solving involving FOIA.
• Analyzes and coordinates agency FOIA requests. Determines the appropriate Disclosure Officer responsible for responding and consolidates responses when appropriate.
• Sets appropriate time frames and monitors status of outstanding FOIA requests.
• Incumbent monitors the FOIA Xpress tracking system.
• Intervenes directly with program areas when deadlines have not been met or other complications arise that could impede the Agency's ability to respond to FOIA or other requests and meet legal obligations and responsibilities which could reflect adversely on the Agency and the Department.
• Incumbent advises staff in the national and field offices on technical questions related to administrative and policy requirements under the FOIA.
• Analyzes and interprets existing and proposed DOL/MSHA regulations governing the disclosure of information under the FOIA.
• Conducts analyses of the FOIA program and makes recommendations to the FOIA Officer for improvement in the effectiveness and efficiency of work operations.
• Advises the public about the proper procedures to use when making requests under the FOIA.
• Reviews reports and documents submitted by field offices to ensure correct and uniform treatment and application of pertinent regulations, exemptions, and fees to determine if proper guidelines are being followed to detect trends or possible problem areas.
• Timely responds orally and in writing to general requests from the public and other interested individuals on a wide variety of subjects related to MSHA's responsibilities and programs. Refers callers to technical experts or higher-level officials, when necessary.
• Prepares periodic reports required by the FOIA.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA):

• Reviews Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) supporting statements for SOL review, creates 60-day Federal Register Notices for publication; and prepares Information Collection Request (ICR) packages for review and approval.