Senior FOIA Analyst

West 4th Strategy, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Federal Student Aid (FSA), Chief Operating Officer's Office, seeks two Senior FOIA Analysts to provide technical SME support in FOIA/Privacy Act processing.

Based onsite in Washington, DC, you will manage intake, redactions, and final response letters while maintaining daily progress updates for FOIA management. You will use FOIA Xpress and internal tracking systems, interact with FSA principals and requesters, and contribute to reducing pending requests on a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 3 years handling FOIA/Privacy Act requests in federal or equivalent environments.
• Extensive knowledge of FOIA exemptions and appeals processes.
• Ability to analyze information, interpret data, and solve complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Process FOIA requests using FOIA Xpress and department tracking systems.
• Enter requests and related correspondence accurately; prepare final letters.
• Apply FOIA exemptions for redactions with expert judgment.
• Coordinate with FSA offices and requesters, report progress daily.
• Support Privacy Act requests and assist the FOIA Service Center as needed.
• Suggest operational improvements and new approaches for handling requests.
• Process FOIA Appeals according to procedures and timeframes.

Skills

FOIA & PA Compliance

FOIA Exemptions

Analytical Ability

Office Proficiency

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

FOIA Xpress

FIMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

We need two experienced Senior FOIA Analysts to support the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program at the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FSA), located in the Chief Operating Officer's Office in Washington, DC. This role provides technical subject matter expertise in the processing of FOIA and Privacy Act requests, working to reduce the number of pending requests. You will accurately enter FOIA requests into FOIA Xpress and the Department's tracking and reporting system, communicate with FSA Principal Offices and requesters, perform redactions based on expert knowledge of the nine FOIA exemptions, and prepare interim and final response letters. This is a full-time opportunity supporting a high-visibility federal compliance mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with processing incoming FOIA requests using FOIA Xpress and participate in intake meetings to assess such requests.
• Provide technical support in processing FOIA requests, correctly and accurately entering requests and related correspondence into the Department's management, tracking, and reporting system.
• Perform redactions to information responding to FOIA requests using FOIA Xpress based on expert knowledge of the nine (9) FOIA exemptions.
• Prepare final response letters and memoranda for signature as appropriate.
• Provide support to the Department's FOIA Service Center regarding the processing of Privacy Act requests using FOIA Xpress.
• Recommend modified and/or new operational approaches, including use of FOIA Xpress, upon request from FSA FOIA management.
• Keep the COR and FSA FOIA management apprised of progress and any issues that arise on a daily basis.
• Process FOIA Appeals in accordance with established procedures and statutory timeframes.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• FOIA & Privacy Act Compliance: Knowledge and extensive experience with FOIA legislation, policies, guidance, regulations, procedures, and administrative processing systems, including FOIA Xpress and the FOIA Integrity Management System (FIMS). Extensive experience with Privacy Compliance legislation, policies, guidance, regulations, and procedures.
• FOIA Exemptions & Appeals: Demonstrated expertise in the use and application of all major FOIA exemptions, experience processing complex FOIA requests, and experience processing FOIA Appeals.
• Analytical Ability: Ability to analyze factual information, evaluate significant factors, and solve complex problems based on statistical data.
• Software Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Office desktop applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn and utilize workflow software or other systems developed internally for FOIA request processing.
• Work Style: Self-directed and accustomed to effectively and efficiently working at a high-performance level with minimal input from program leadership; ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the Federal service or equivalent public or private sector managing and/or responding to FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) requests.

LOCATION

Onsite - 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202

CLEARANCE

• U.S. citizenship is required.

CLIENT

U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Federal Student Aid (FSA), Chief Operating Officer's Office

WORK HOURS

• 40 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

Employment Classification Eligibility — W2