Records Access Officer

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 96,638 - 127,208; Full time

Job summary

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) seeks a full-time Records Access Officer in the Bureau of Legal Affairs. The role supervises the FOIL unit and ensures compliance with NY laws governing public access to records, including FOIL exemptions.

Responsibilities include legal reviews, denials, redactions, and coordination with other city agencies. Minimum qualifications include NYS Bar admission and practical U.S.

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar is required.
• One year of satisfactory U.S. legal experience following admission to a state bar.
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Intern or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise FOIL unit operations with an attorney and staff.
• Provide legal advice on access to records and FOIL exemptions.
• Assist NYC Law Department with record collection and case history for Article 78 FOIL litigation.
• Conduct in-depth FOIL review including denials and redactions for accuracy.
• Coordinate with FDNY units on subpoenas, discovery, and preservation requests.
• Collaborate with other city agencies for eDiscovery and OpenRecords updates.
• Coordinate journalists' FOIL requests with Public Information Office.
• Use OpenRecords database to monitor compliance and timeliness.

Tools

OpenRecords database

Job description

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is the largest Fire Department in the United States and universally is recognized as the world's busiest and most highly skilled emergency response agency. The Department's main goal is to provide fire protection, emergency medical care, and other critical public safety services to residents and visitors in the five boroughs. FDNY members are sworn to serve and protect life and property and the Department works to continually educate the public in fire, life safety and disaster preparedness, along with enforcing public safety codes. Since its inception in 1865, FDNY has helped lead efforts to make New York the safest big city in the nation. This accomplishment requires a steadfast and daily commitment to maintaining the Department's core values.

The Fire Department, City of New York (FDNY), seeks a full-time Records Access Officer in the Bureau of Legal Affairs. Reporting directly to the Director of Legal Administration and Litigation Support, the successful candidate will supervise the Department’s legal activity of the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Unit and ensure the Department's mandatory compliance with NYCRR Article 21 Part 1401 governing public access to agency records; Public Officer’s Law 87 and 89 (FOIL); N.Y. CPLR governing discovery (Art. 3120) and preservation holds (Art. 3102(c)); and N.Y.C. Admin. Code 23-1201 governing Individual Identifying Information.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the daily operation of the Unit with the assistance of a FOIL attorney and administrative staff.
• Make recommendations and provide legal advice concerning access to the Department’s records based on privacy laws and FOIL exemptions.
• Liaise with the NYC Law Department to assist with record collection and case history in response to Article 78 FOIL litigation.
• Perform in-depth legal reviews and analysis of FOIL requests and the Department’s responses, including issuing denials and applying redactions, determining responsiveness and accuracy.
• Work closely with other FDNY Bureau of Legal Affairs units in response to subpoenas, discovery, and preservation requests to comply with court orders and Law Department requests.
• Work with outside city agencies such as OTI and DORIS for eDiscovery requests and OpenRecords database updates.
• Coordinate journalists’ FOIL requests with FDNY’s Office of Public Information.
• Utilize the OpenRecords database and other management tools to monitor compliance and timeliness of responses.

Minimum Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar; and either "2" or "3" below.
• One year of satisfactory United States legal experience subsequent to admission to any state bar; or
• Six months of satisfactory service as an Agency Attorney Interne (30086).

Incumbents must remain members of the New York State Bar in good standing for the duration of this employment.

Additional Qualification Requirements

To be assigned to Assignment Level (AL) II, candidates must have one year of experience at Assignment Level I or two years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment. To be assigned to AL III candidates must have two years of experience in Assignment Levels I and/or II or three years of comparable legal experience subsequent to admission to the bar, in the areas of law related to the assignment.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

New York City Residency is not required for this position.

Additional Information

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Salary: $96,638.00 – $127,208.00