Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program Assistant - (60023676)

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of South Carolina, Department of Public Safety, SC Highway Patrol seeks an FOIA assistant to support compliance with state FOIA laws. You will assist in all FOIA processes, respond to requests, research, enter new requests into the database, gather information, and prepare materials for release, including AXON videos.

Additionally you will field inquiries by phone, mail, and email, prioritize workflows with FOIA Coordinators, and perform administrative tasks such as answering phones,

Qualifications

• A high school diploma and relevant program experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute.
• Strong administrative abilities including organizational and computer/database skills.
• Ability to coordinate diverse administrative functions and communicate effectively.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with deadlines and high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Assist FOIA section to ensure compliance with state FOIA laws.
• Respond to FOIA requests, including research and data gathering.
• Enter new requests into the database and prepare materials for release.
• Coordinate with divisions to gather information and applicable documents.
• Prepare and redact materials for release, including AXON videos.
• Field telephone inquiries, mail, and e-mail regarding FOIA requests.
• Prioritize workflow with FOIA Coordinators.
• Perform administrative functions such as answering phones, filing and copying.
• Send invoices and collect payment for FOIA fees.

Skills

Administrative skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree substitution

Tools

Word processing

Database management

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Serves as an assistant in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section of the SC Highway Patrol. Assists in all aspects of the FOIA process to help ensure the department's compliance with state FOIA laws. Assists the FOIA coordinators by responding in a timely and courteous manner to FOIA requests, including research, entering new requests into the database, working with divisions of SCDPS to gather requested information, applicable documents and media, and preparing and redacting materials for release according to state law, to include AXON videos. Assists in fielding and responding to telephone inquiries, mail, and e-mail regarding FOIA requests. Must be able to prioritize work flow in conjunction with FOIA Coordinators. Performs administrative functions such as answering phones, filing and copying. Sends invoices and collects payment for FOIA fees authorized by law. Performs other duties as requested.

Job Responsibilities

Serves as an assistant in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section of the SC Highway Patrol. Assists in all aspects of the FOIA process to help ensure the department's compliance with state FOIA laws. Assists the FOIA coordinators by responding in a timely and courteous manner to FOIA requests, including research, entering new requests into the database, working with divisions of SCDPS to gather requested information, applicable documents and media, and preparing and redacting materials for release according to state law, to include AXON videos. Assists in fielding and responding to telephone inquiries, mail, and e-mail regarding FOIA requests. Must be able to prioritize work flow in conjunction with FOIA Coordinators. Performs administrative functions such as answering phones, filing and copying. Sends invoices and collects payment for FOIA fees authorized by law. Performs other duties as requested.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements

A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required program experience.

Agency Minimum Requirements

A high school diploma and relevant experience in administrative services. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required program experience.

Strong administrative capabilities including organizational and computer/database skills. Word processing, database management, and automated record keeping skills. Ability to coordinate diverse administrative functions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to communicate effectively.

Responsible for the administrative activities associated with processing and responding to requests made under FOIA. Required to follow program-specific protocols as directed.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, under deadlines with high attention to detail. Must be able to perform repetitive tasks and sit for extended periods in front of a computer monitor.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin. The department prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), or national origin.