FOIA/Privacy Act Specialist

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Manage Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), FOIA Appeals, and Privacy Act requests.

• Evaluate, analyze, and process incoming FOIA and Privacy Act requests.

• Engage in intake activities and determine the appropriate processing of requests.

• Accurately input requests and correspondence into FOIA Xpress and FSA tracking systems.

• Collaborate with Department program offices to secure responsive records and address request-related issues.

• Communicate with requesters about the scope, costs, identity verification, and other processing details.

• Monitor cases and ensure all required actions are completed within statutory, regulatory, and Department timelines.

• Review responsive records and ascertain the correct treatment under FOIA and Privacy Act requirements.

• Implement redactions using in-depth knowledge of the nine FOIA exemptions.

• Handle complex FOIA requests that necessitate thorough analysis and disclosure determinations.

• Draft interim and final response letters and memoranda for official signature.

• Utilize applicable case law, Department policies, regulations, procedures, and guidance in disclosure decisions.

• Process FOIA Appeals and offer analytical support for the review and resolution of appeals.

• Maintain documentation and related correspondence for appeals in case-management systems.

• Utilize FOIA Xpress, FSA's internal FOIA Integrity Management System (FIMS), and other workflow tools.

• Propose adjustments or new operational methods and assist in tracking and reporting FOIA workload.

• Offer technical advice on FOIA and Privacy Act laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidance.

• Analyze factual data, assess significant factors, and resolve complex processing issues.

• Provide recommendations on procedures, strategies, resources, and ongoing tasks.

• Aggregate and analyze data to facilitate comparisons, reporting, and management decisions.

• Serve as a subject-matter expert to FSA FOIA management and internal stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively with FSA personnel, Department offices, requesters, and other stakeholders.

• Keep the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and FSA FOIA management updated on progress and performance issues.

• Create complete, accurate, timely, and comprehensible written deliverables.

• Support analytical reporting and other FOIA program activities assigned by FSA management.

• Prepare documents using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related formats.

• Organize documents in appropriate locations and safeguard sensitive, privacy-related, and Government information.

• Conduct quality checks on case data, correspondence, redactions, and deliverables.

• Operate independently with minimal guidance from program leadership.

• Perform additional FOIA and Privacy Act support duties as required by the position.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.

• A minimum of 3 years of Federal service or comparable public/private-sector experience in managing and/or responding to FOIA/Privacy Act requests.

• Proven expertise in utilizing and applying the major FOIA exemptions.

• Experience in processing complex FOIA requests.

• In-depth knowledge and practical application of FOIA and Privacy Act laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidance.

• Expert-level proficiency in using FOIA Xpress and related technologies.

• Experience in managing FOIA Appeals.

• Experience in reviewing responsive records and applying correct redactions.

• Capability to work independently at a high-performance level with minimal oversight.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens as the role supports the federal government.

• Subject to Department contractor security vetting and background investigation requirements.

• Employment is contingent upon final Government approval and successful fulfillment of applicable requirements.

• Ability to adhere to federal drug-free workplace standards.

• Preferred: Experience in FOIA and Privacy Act processing within a federal agency.

• Preferred: Experience in drafting interim and final FOIA response letters and memoranda.

• Preferred: Experience in coordinating responsive-record searches with multiple program offices or stakeholders.

• Preferred: Experience in applying FOIA case law and Department or agency policy to disclosure determinations.

• Preferred: Experience in FOIA reporting, workload analysis, or case-management data.

• Preferred: Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and related office tools.

• Preferred: Familiarity with internal FOIA workflow, tracking, or reporting systems.

🏝️ Benefits

• Full-time employment.

• Virtual work arrangement.

• Travel is not required.

• Employment Classification Eligibility — Exempt.