FOIA Support Specialist

Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y ? R espect. E quity. A ccountability. D iversity… YOU !!! About This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements: Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Language Incentive Referral Bonus T uition Assistance Program Description The anticipated hiring range is $60,306 - $77,457 The Office of Strategic Communications is seeking a qualified FOIA Support Specialist who will be responsible for managing, coordinating and processing all FOIA requests received by the City of Richmond. This role will ensure the City's compliance with the FOIA and related laws and regulations. You will be the primary point of contact for requests for information under the FOIA and will be responsible for ensuring that the City meets its legal obligations to provide timely and accurate responses. Duties include but are not limited to FOIA Request Management: Responsible for receiving and processing FOIA requests from the public and other organizations. Ensuring that all necessary information is provided and that the request is properly documented and tracked. Conduct initial review and analysis: Review each FOIA request to determine if the requested information is subject to FOIA, whether the request is sufficiently specific to permit the identification of the requested records, and whether there are any exemptions or exclusions that apply. Coordinate and manage responses: Responsible for coordinating with other departments or agencies within the organization to gather the requested information and ensure that it is properly redacted and reviewed for any sensitive or confidential information. Prepare and issue responses: Prepare and issue responses to FOIA requests in a timely and accurate manner, ensuring that all legal and regulatory requirements are met. Maintain records and documentation: Maintain records and documentation related to FOIA requests and responses, ensuring that all records are properly categorized, stored, and made available to the public as required by law. Compliance and Legal Adherence: Ensure all FOIA requests are handled in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Stay updated on changes to FOIA regulations and case law. Provide guidance and training to staff on FOIA compliance and best practices. Manage appeals and disputes: Manage appeals and disputes related to FOIA requests, coordinating with legal counsel as needed and working to resolve disputes in a timely and efficient manner. Professionalism and Discernment: Ensure accuracy and transparency in responding to FOIA requests. Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality of records as dictated by law. Communicate with leadership and present information understandably. Policy Development and Improvement: Work closely with the FOIA Manager to create standard operating procedures and internal workflows. Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance. Implement and manage FOIA tracking and management systems. Qualifications, Special Certifications And Licenses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Strong understanding of FOIA laws and regulations Excellent organizational and time management skills Knowledge of records management and archival best practices in a government agency Superior written and verbal communication skills Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity Proficiency in using document management and tracking systems Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to provide exceptional customer service Experience working in an agile environment that includes collaboration with both internal and external partners Minimum Training And Experience Bachelor's degree in Public Administration , Business Administration, Information Management, Communications, Political Science, Library Science experience in related fields in lieu of degree. Minimum of 1 - 3 years of relevant experience. Experience in a governmental or public sector environment is highly desirable. Understanding of and familiarity with FOIA and its requirements. Some familiarity with related legal requirements regarding records disclosure. The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. The City of Richmond Values Veterans. We are an official V3 Certified Company. The City of Richmond is a proud partner with the US Army Partnership for Your Success PaYS Program. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Richmond, Virginia