FOIA Analyst - Federal Legal Support

FOIA Analyst

Full-Time | On-Site, Washington, DC

Interested in this role You can find all the relevant information in the description below.

About Rikka

Rikka Law Group ("Rikka") is a legal and compliance firm headquartered in Washington, DC. We are certified as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB). Our government services team provides paralegal and FOIA professional services to federal agencies.

Rikka was founded by Charlyn Ho, a former U.S. Navy Supply Corps Officer, and public service shapes how we work. We are a small team built on accountability and trust. Leadership knows our people by name, and good work gets noticed.

Why Join Rikka

• Work that serves the public. FOIA is one of the main ways the public sees how its government works. You will help the Federal Railroad Administration answer the public accurately and on time.
• Impact you can see. You will be central to bringing order to a high-volume FOIA workload and reducing the agency's backlog. Your progress will show up in weekly and monthly reporting.
• Direct access to leadership. Rikka's Founder and CEO, Charlyn Ho, is the Project Manager on this contract, so you will work directly with firm leadership. You won't be one name on a large contractor's org chart.
• Recognition for your work. Your performance is evaluated every year, and you're eligible for an annual salary review.
• Benefits. You'll be eligible for the Rikka Professional Services Benefit Package. It includes options to elect medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as access to the Rikka 401(k) Plan, group insurance and paid time off.
• A predictable schedule. Monday to Friday, about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, on-site at DOT headquarters.

The Role

Rikka is seeking an experienced FOIA Analyst to support the FRA Office of the Chief Counsel. The FRA is a component of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this role you will help manage and reduce the agency's FOIA backlog. You will report to Charlyn Ho, Rikka's Founder and CEO and the Project Manager for this contract.

You will be the organizational backbone of the FOIA process. You will keep the inbox under control, log and route every request, follow up with program offices until records come in, and keep the tracking system accurate and current. The ideal candidate is highly organized, resourceful and self-directed. You spot what needs to happen next and do it without waiting to be asked.

This is not an entry-level position. All candidates must meet the minimum qualifications below.

Key Responsibilities

Intake, Triage and Tracking

• Manage the agency FOIA inbox
• Review incoming requests and identify non-perfected requests
• Log and track FOIA requests and appeals in FOIAXpress
• Upload records and keep tracking data accurate and current
• Help manage and reduce a high-volume FOIA backlog

Records Coordination and Review

• Work with program offices and record holders to gather potentially responsive records
• Send follow-ups and reminders to program offices about outstanding records
• Review records for responsiveness and completeness, and avoid inappropriate "data dumps"
• Identify and apply appropriate FOIA exemptions
• Electronically redact exempt and sensitive information

Correspondence and Reporting

• Communicate professionally with requesters, attorneys, program offices and record holders
• Draft accurate, well-written FOIA response letters
• Assist with FOIA appeals and related tracking
• Prepare weekly and monthly FOIA status reports
• Participate in meetings and conference calls as needed

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

• At least 3 years of specialized FOIA processing experience
• Hands-on professional experience with FOIAXpress
• Working knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and practical experience applying FOIA exemptions
• Experience determining whether records are responsive and identifying non-perfected requests
• Professional experience with electronic redaction software such as Adobe
• Demonstrated experience managing high-volume FOIA workloads or backlogs
• Experience drafting professional FOIA correspondence and response letters
• Exceptional organizational and administrative skills, with a proven ability to track many requests and deadlines accurately at once
• Resourceful and self-directed, with strong follow-through
• Strong written communication and attention to detail
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Able to work on-site in Washington, DC, Monday to Friday
• Must meet DOT's eligibility requirements for a Public Trust background investigation and PIV credential

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior federal agency FOIA experience, especially at DOT or FRA
• Familiarity with DOT FOIA regulations (49 CFR Part 7) or equivalent
• Experience with Everlaw, Relativity or similar review and redaction tools
• Experience preparing weekly and monthly FOIA status reports
• Experience setting up or improving intake, tracking or case-management workflows

Work Requirements

• Full-time position, Monday to Friday, about 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Fully on-site in Washington, DC. This role is not remote or hybrid.
• Other employment, consulting, contract or business activities require the Firm's prior written approval

Compensation

$66,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on experience, paid semi-monthly. You'll also be eligible for the Rikka Professional Services Benefit Package described above.

Conditions of Employment

This position requires two separate background check processes:

1. A pre-employment background check through Rikka's third-party vendor.
2. DOT's federal security credentialing process. You must submit all required security forms and complete fingerprinting through the DOT Office of Security before starting any work.

Any offer of employment depends on:

• Successfully completing both background check processes
• Getting and keeping all required approvals for access to FRA facilities, information and systems. FRA and DOT may grant or deny this access at their discretion.
• Providing two professional references, with satisfactory reference checks
• Resolving any conflicts of interest from prior employment, business, political or community activities

The start date depends on successfully completing both background check processes. xhyhwjd

Rikka participates in E-Verify.