FOIA Research and Request Specialist

NIA Production; United States; Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

NIA Production is seeking a dedicated FOIA Researcher to systematically uncover compelling, legally obtainable footage for our YouTube channels. You will build a reliable pipeline by identifying stories, obtaining footage, and ensuring timely delivery to production.

You will manage FOIA/state requests, track status, and maintain organized records to support rapid content production across our channels.

Qualifications

• Proven experience researching, preparing, and submitting FOIA and state public records requests.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. public records laws, including state-specific requirements and exemptions.
• Ability to draft clear, effective requests to maximize approvals.
• Excellent research, organization, and tracking skills for multiple active requests.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify newsworthy incidents for YouTube content.
• Prepare and submit FOIA/state public records requests to law enforcement across the U.S.
• Request and obtain body camera footage, dashcam footage, 911 calls, and other records.
• Track requests from submission to completion, including deadlines and fees.
• Communicate professionally with records departments and PIOs to resolve issues.
• Organize and archive footage and documents for production team.
• Maintain a well-structured database of active and completed requests.

Skills

FOIA requests

Public records law

Job description

Compensation $1,000 to $1,500 USD per month, depending on experience

About the role

The best bodycam channels are built on access to compelling, legally obtainable footage, not luck.

Public records requests are the foundation of our content pipeline. Every week, thousands of police departments, sheriff's offices, highway patrol agencies, prosecutors, and municipalities release body camera footage, dashcam videos, 911 audio, interrogation footage, surveillance recordings, and investigative documents through public records laws.

Your job is to systematically identify these stories before everyone else, obtain the footage, and build a reliable pipeline that keeps our channels supplied with high-quality content.

This is not simply filing paperwork. You will build and manage the research system that continuously discovers interesting incidents, tracks request status, communicates with agencies, follows up on delayed requests, and ensures media is delivered to our production team. Success in this role directly impacts how many videos we can produce.

The channels that represent our current quality standard are Code Blue Cam, Midwest Safety, and EWU Bodycam.

About us

NIA Production is a YouTube conglomerate. We own, build, and operate our own channels in-house. Every channel we run is ours.

We are 90+ people strong and growing rapidly. Most of our team is hybrid and we hire globally. We move fast. We care about results, and we hire people who think the same way.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify newsworthy incidents with strong storytelling potential for YouTube content.
• Prepare and submit FOIA and state public records requests to law enforcement agencies across the United States.
• Request and obtain body camera footage, dashcam footage, 911 calls, dispatch audio, police reports, arrest reports, and other relevant public records.
• Track all requests from submission to completion, including deadlines, response timelines, processing fees, and follow-up actions.
• Communicate professionally with records departments and public information officers to clarify requests, resolve issues, and follow up on outstanding cases.
• Organize and archive all received footage and documents, ensuring files are properly labeled and easily accessible for the production team.
• Maintain an accurate, well-structured database of active and completed requests.

Requirements

• Proven experience researching, preparing, and submitting FOIA and state public records requests.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. public records laws, including state-specific requirements, exemptions, and body camera release policies.
• Ability to determine what records can and cannot be obtained, and to draft clear, effective requests that maximize approval rates.
• Excellent research, organization, and tracking skills, with the ability to manage multiple active requests simultaneously.
• Strong written English, professional communication skills, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice to have

• Experience working with YouTube channels, particularly in news, true crime, or documentary content.
• Strong ability to identify incidents with high storytelling value and viral potential for YouTube.
• Familiarity with YouTube audience preferences and what makes bodycam or law enforcement content engaging.

What success looks like

• A consistent pipeline of submitted and approved requests.
• Timely follow-up on outstanding requests.
• Well-organized records and documentation.
• Regular delivery of usable footage to the production team.
• Discovery of high-quality stories before competitors.

Ready to apply?

Applications are reviewed as they come in. We read every submission.