FOIA Support Specialist

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

Job summary

City of Richmond is seeking a FOIA Support Specialist to manage and process FOIA requests, ensuring timely and accurate responses in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. You will coordinate with multiple city departments, review requests for exemptions, and maintain thorough records of all actions.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years in a related field, preferably within government, with strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 1-3 years of relevant government or public sector experience preferred; familiarity with FOIA requirements.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process FOIA requests from the public and other organizations.
• Perform 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 requirements.
• Maintain records and documentation of FOIA requests and responses.

Skills

FOIA laws

Organizational skills

Time management

Records management

Communication skills

Customer service

Agile collaboration

Document management

Education

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

Job 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.

• 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.

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.