Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer - Assistant State's Attorney

Cook County State's Attorney Office; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 101,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office seeks a FOIA Officer - Assistant State's Attorney to handle Freedom of Information Act requests. Applicants must possess a law degree and have strong organizational skills. This role is instrumental in ensuring compliance with FOIA while serving the community effectively.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Paid Time Off program with 13 paid holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Employee Assistance Program

Pension plan

Qualifications

• 3+ years of FOIA experience preferred.
• Experience with GOVQA is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail required.

Responsibilities

• Log and track incoming FOIA requests and due dates.
• Review and draft response letters for FOIA requests.
• Collaborate with bureau and branch individuals to locate records.

Skills

Organizational skills

Case management skills

Time management skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Critical thinking skills

Analytical skills

Education

Law degree from an accredited law school

Tools

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Should you have any questions concerning:

The Administrative Services Bureau, please call 312-603-1880

oremail to [e-mail]

Legal hiring for State Attorneys can be directed to

Careers At Cook County State's Attorney Office

Welcome to the Cook County State's Attorney Office Job Board. As one of the largest legal services providers in the nation employing over 700 attorneys, we are committed to not only upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of all citizens, but also fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that reflects the community we serve.

Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your career, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office provides a wealth of opportunities to make a difference and serve the community. We are looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about justice, equity, and public service.

Our Job Board is regularly updated with opportunities across a range of roles, from legal and administrative to investigative. Each role is integral to our mission and contributes significantly to our office's effectiveness.

By joining our team, you will be part of a dynamic workforce that values integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. You will have the chance to work on meaningful cases, learn from experienced colleagues, and contribute to creating a safer and more just Cook County.

Explore our current openings below and find where you fit in our mission to pursue justice and serve the public.

To do justice in the pursuit of thriving, healthy, and safe communities.

Our Vision:

We're committed to creating a safer, stronger Cook County. That means approaching every case with integrity, demanding accountability, and increasing our presence in the community. Our success is not measured convictions. We believe in doing what's right - fighting for the best, fairest outcomes, whatever form that takes. It's our responsibility to address the historic inequities in our justice system. Everyone deserves a fair shot at justice, regardless of their zip code, paycheck, or the color of their skin.

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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer - Assistant State's Attorney

Job Title: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer - ASA
Department: General Counsel
Grade/Step: AYN/104
Salary: $100,031 - Salary is provided by law; however, individual compensation is based on various factors unique to each candidate, including skill set, years and quality of experience. Any salary offered is determined by the Chief of Staff and is non-negotiable.
Position Description: The Cook County State’s Attorney (CCSAO) is seeking an Assistant State’s Attorney (ASA) team member for the Freedom of Information Act Team to work alongside the CCSAO’s FOIA Officers.
Working Environment & Reporting Structure: The FOIA Officer ASA is assigned to the General Counsel and will report to the CCSAO FOIA Supervisor.

Duties/Requirements:

The primary responsibilities of the FOIA Officer ASA will be to:

• Log incoming FOIA requests and track their due dates:
• Review FOIA requests to determine what records are being sought from the requestor;
• Work with individuals in the bureaus and branches throughout the CCSAO to locate responsive records and order all files, or otherwise gather, all necessary records;
• Work with the Civil Division when necessary;
• The FOIA Officer ASA will respond to correspondence in accordance with the Act and handle correspondence with the appropriate skill and care that ensures legal compliance,
• Scan records (in the event we only possess hard copies of the requested records), review them for FOIA exemptions, and produce to requestor; and
• Draft response letters to each FOIA request that will be submitted with the records upon delivery to the requestor.

Skills and Requirements:

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Exceptional organizational, case management and time management skills.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Exhibits strong attention to detail.
• Experience in managing large-scale projects, owning each detail of the process from beginning to end
• Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to promote team building and be a self-starter.
• Sound judgment, critical thinking, analytical, and effective time management skills.
• Proven history of excellent performance.
• Proficient use of Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
• Must uphold the mission and values of the Office at all times.
• Must exercise integrity and decorum in all situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate should have three (3) or more years of FOIA experience.
• Experience responding to the Public Access Counselor.
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and the IL Attorney General's training and guidelines to FOIA.
• Experience with GOVQA

Physical Requirements:

Light work. Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that he or she can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

EEO Message: The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.

At Cook County, we believe in investing in you, our valued employee. We understand that your well-being directly impacts the quality of service we provide to our community. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial stability, and work-life balance. Here's a snapshot of what we offer:

Choose from a variety of medical, dental, and vision plans to best suit your lifestyle and needs. We provide a robust Paid Time Off (PTO) program, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, as well as 13 paid holidays. As a public service employer, our employees may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and referral services to help you navigate life's challenges. And of course, a pension plan through Cook County.

Any problems with your application can be directed towards [e-mail]