FOIA Support Specialist

City of Richmond, Virginia; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Language Incentive

Referral Bonus

Tuition Assistance Program

Job summary

The Office of Strategic Communications within City of Richmond seeks a FOIA Support Specialist to manage, coordinate, and process all FOIA requests. You will be the primary contact for FOIA requests and ensure timely, accurate responses in compliance with laws.

Responsibilities include reviewing requests, coordinating with departments, issuing responses, and maintaining records. Strong familiarity with FOIA, records management, and customer service is essential.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of FOIA laws and regulations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience with records management and archival practices in government.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Proficiency in document management and tracking systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service.
• Experience working in an agile environment with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• FOIA Request Management: receive and process FOIA requests from the public and organizations; ensure necessary information is provided and tracked.
• Conduct initial review to determine FOIA applicability and exemptions.
• Coordinate with departments to gather information and ensure proper redaction.
• Prepare and issue timely, accurate responses meeting legal/regulatory requirements.
• Maintain records and documentation on FOIA requests and responses.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local FOIA laws; stay updated on changes.
• Manage FOIA appeals and disputes with legal counsel as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality and communicate with leadership clearly.
• Work with FOIA Manager to create procedures and improve workflows.

Skills

FOIA knowledge

Organizational skills

Communication

Discretion with sensitive information

Document management practices

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Agile collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Information Management, Communications, Political Science, Library Science

Tools

Document management systems

Job description

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y ? R espect. E quity. A ccountability. D iversity… YOU !!!

About

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• T uition Assistance Program

Description

The anticipated hiring range is $60,306 - $77,457

The Office of Strategic Communications is seeking a qualified FOIA Support Specialist who will be responsible for managing, coordinating and processing all FOIA requests received by the City of Richmond. This role will ensure the City's compliance with the FOIA and related laws and regulations. You will be the primary point of contact for requests for information under the FOIA and will be responsible for ensuring that the City meets its legal obligations to provide timely and accurate responses.

Duties include but are not limited to

• FOIA Request Management: Responsible for receiving and processing FOIA requests from the public and other organizations. Ensuring that all necessary information is provided and that the request is properly documented and tracked.
• Conduct initial review and analysis: Review each FOIA request to determine if the requested information is subject to FOIA, whether the request is sufficiently specific to permit the identification of the requested records, and whether there are any exemptions or exclusions that apply.
• Coordinate and manage responses: Responsible for coordinating with other departments or agencies within the organization to gather the requested information and ensure that it is properly redacted and reviewed for any sensitive or confidential information.
• Prepare and issue responses: Prepare and issue responses to FOIA requests in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintain records and documentation: Maintain records and documentation related to FOIA requests and responses, ensuring that all records are properly categorized, stored, and made available to the public as required by law.
• Compliance and Legal Adherence: Ensure all FOIA requests are handled in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Stay updated on changes to FOIA regulations and case law. Provide guidance and training to staff on FOIA compliance and best practices.
• Manage appeals and disputes: Manage appeals and disputes related to FOIA requests, coordinating with legal counsel as needed and working to resolve disputes in a timely and efficient manner.
• Professionalism and Discernment: Ensure accuracy and transparency in responding to FOIA requests. Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality of records as dictated by law. Communicate with leadership and present information understandably.
• Policy Development and Improvement: Work closely with the FOIA Manager to create standard operating procedures and internal workflows. Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance. Implement and manage FOIA tracking and management systems.

Qualifications, Special Certifications And Licenses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong understanding of FOIA laws and regulations
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of records management and archival best practices in a government agency Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity
• Proficiency in using document management and tracking systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service
• Experience working in an agile environment that includes collaboration with both internal and external partners

Minimum Training And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Public Administration , Business Administration, Information Management, Communications, Political Science, Library Science experience in related fields in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of 1 - 3 years of relevant experience. Experience in a governmental or public sector environment is highly desirable. Understanding of and familiarity with FOIA and its requirements. Some familiarity with related legal requirements regarding records disclosure.

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at [e-mail].

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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