Summary
VA Hudson Valley is looking to fill the position of a Government Information Specialist at it's Montrose or Castle Point and must travel to both campuses as needed. The position provides comprehensive support in the execution, oversight, and continuous advancement of Privacy Act, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ACT (HIPAA), Privacy, and Records Management operations across VA Hudson Valley Health Care System (VAHVHCS).
Duties
The position functions as a critical extension of the Privacy/FOIA Program, contributing to the planning, coordination, and administration of all program components. The work supports the implementation of statutory and regulatory requirements, including the Privacy Act, FOIA, HIPAA, and Title 38 confidentiality statues, ensuring the organization's compliance with federal law, VA policy, and VHA directives. This includes active participation in the development of policies, safeguards, and internal processes that maintain consistency, mitigate privacy risks, and strengthen information governance practices across all service lines. The duties of the position may include but, are not limited to: The role involves supporting facility-level determinations on disclosures, redactions, denials, release authorizations, and records management requirements, ensuring that decisions are well-informed, defensible, and aligned with federal guidance and agency precedent. Central to the position is the Responsible for collaborating and engaging frequently with internal stakeholders and external partners. This includes working with Veteran Service Organizations, Congressional offices, community leaders, attorneys, affiliate academic institutions, commercial organizations, and members of the public. Assists in advancing strategic initiatives that strengthen the Health Care System's control of sensitive information. This includes contributing to the development, revision, and maintenance of local privacy practices; reviewing and recommending improvements to business workflows including but not limited to data disclosure workflow, consent and authorization, privacy investigation and breach response and FOIA and record management workflow; and promoting the adoption of sound data governance practices across clinical, administrative, and operational settings. Maintaining program sustainability. Supports internal and external communication strategies designed to enhance awareness, reinforce compliance expectations, and promote a strong culture of privacy within the organization. Provides technical and analytical assistance in areas involving data governance, partnering with senior leadership, law enforcement, the Office of Chief Counsel, VISN leadership, and VHA program offices to resolve complex issues. Contributes to the analysis of intricate policy questions involving the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of information throughout the facility. Advanced legal and regulatory research, including review of federal and state laws, case law, and decisions by oversight bodies. Provides support for privacy investigation responsibilities, assisting in the planning, coordination, and execution of investigative activities tied to the organization's data governance goals. Collaborates with the Office of Chief Counsel, Human Resources, executive leadership, and labor partners is essential for reviewing complex cases involving the mishandling, unauthorized disclosure, or impermissible access of sensitive information. Supports evidence collection, case analysis, briefings, and the development of recommended actions for leadership when violations occur. Supports incident response functions, including documentation and remediation activities for impermissible access, unauthorized disclosures, and breaches involving PHI or PII. Designing and delivering training, providing targeted guidance to service areas that exhibit compliance deficiencies, and supporting staff education regarding legal and regulatory requirements governing information handling, access, and disclosure. Performs assessments of privacy related risks associated with business activities that involve the processing of personal and sensitive data. Independently investigates privacy related noncompliance matters occurring within the organization and involving external partners when VHA information may be affected. Contributes to the development and execution of strategic management initiatives that strengthen the facility's control of information and ensure consistency across service lines. Identifies policy gaps, assessing staff knowledge, and supporting program improvements as privacy and FOIA requirements evolve. Assists in training employees on general data protection principles and service specific privacy practices essential to their daily responsibilities. Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Government Information Specialist/PD143840 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
There is no educational substitution at this grade level.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. 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. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.