Supervisory Government Information Specialist

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) seeks a senior professional to lead the FOIA/public records program in Washington, DC. The role requires setting long-term strategy, coordinating cross‑agency policy updates, and ensuring compliant records handling.

You will manage staff and budgets, drive performance, and align disclosures with evolving legal requirements, while maintaining high standards of administration and communication.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of FOIA/public records program management and evaluation.
• Ability to conduct legal research and prepare executive-level reports.
• Experience developing privacy policies when conflicting laws exist.
• Ability to set goals, measure outcomes, and lead policy updates.

Responsibilities

• Serve as final authority and executive leader for the FOIA/public records program.
• Set long-term strategy and resolve unprecedented legal or policy conflicts.
• Direct staff, budget, priorities, and accountability toward performance goals.
• Lead organization-wide goals and update electronic tracking systems for efficiency.

Skills

FOIA program leadership

Legal research

Executive reports

Records management

Privacy policies

Leadership

Policy analysis

Job description

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration's (PHMSA) mission is to protect people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to our lives. To do this, the agency establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. We also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration. To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience managing and evaluating an organization-wide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or public records program; doing legal research and working with lawyers to create executive-level reports and recommendations. Experience planning and leading research on records management, electronic request tracking software, and privacy policies where laws conflict, clear rules or past examples do not exist, or where multiple organizations share responsibility. Experience analyzing and incorporating new court decisions, legal changes, and official government updates directly into an organization's records management, public disclosure, and privacy policies.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include: Experience serving as the final authority and executive leader for an organization's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public records program, including setting long-term strategy and resolving unprecedented legal or policy conflicts. Experience leading a department or program by directing staff, setting work priorities, managing budgets, and holding teams accountable for meeting organizational performance goals. Experience establishing organization-wide goals, designing metrics to measure success, and leading projects to replace outdated policies or update electronic tracking systems to improve the efficiency and quality of public disclosure and privacy programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Administration and Management: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production. Oral/Written Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed. Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes. Leadership: Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.

For all types of consideration, 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.

All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.