Public Records Specialist

TalentWell; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

TalentWell seeks a Public Records Specialist for a nonprofit client in Southern California, to build and own a public records function. You will interact with departments across the organization to gather records, apply redactions, and ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and funding agency requirements.

The role emphasizes proactive policy development, staff training, and audits to improve transparency and accountability.

Qualifications

• Experience handling public records requests.
• Knowledge of redaction and protecting confidential information.
• Familiarity with disability law and regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication with sound judgment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as main point of contact for public records requests, including high-volume and time-sensitive ones.
• Oversee, coordinate, analyze, and respond to requests in compliance with applicable laws.
• Collaborate with department leads to gather responsive records.
• Apply redaction and legal protections to sensitive information.
• Partner with legal counsel and communicate with requestors.
• Develop and update records management policies and procedures.
• Train staff on records management best practices.
• Conduct internal audits to assess compliance and identify gaps.
• Maintain a centralized system for policies and procedures.

Skills

Public records management

Redaction practices

Discretion and judgment

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Deadline management

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/legal studies/policy

Job description

Put your public records experience to work building a program with community impact!

Our client is a nonprofit organization serving people with developmental disabilities and their families in Southern California. They're building out a dedicated public records function under new state transparency requirements, and they're looking for a Public Records Specialist to own it. This is a chance to shape a program from the ground up and make a real difference in how a mission-driven organization stays open and accountable.

What you'll do

• Serve as the main point of contact for public records requests, including high-volume and time-sensitive ones
• Oversee, coordinate, analyze, and respond to requests in compliance with applicable legal requirements
• Work with department leads across the organization to gather responsive records
• Apply redaction and legal protection standards to confidential and sensitive information (federal, state, local, and funding agency requirements)
• Partner with legal counsel and communicate clearly with requestors
• Develop, implement, and update records management policies and procedures
• Train staff on records management best practices and compliance
• Conduct internal audits to assess compliance, identify policy gaps, and recommend practical fixes
• Maintain a centralized, well-organized system for policies and procedures

What you bring

• Hands-on experience managing public records requests
• Strong working knowledge of redaction practices and protecting confidential information
• Familiarity with disability law and related regulatory requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sound judgment, tact, and discretion
• Strong analytical, organizational, and deadline-management skills
• Ability to work independently and build effective relationships across teams
• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, legal studies, policy, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• A California driver's license, or the ability to obtain one