Wits Solutions Inc. · 12 hours ago
FOIA Analyst
Washington, DC
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
3+ years expWits Solutions Inc. is a SBA certified 8(a) company providing IT and administrative consulting solutions. The FOIA Analyst will manage requests under the FOIA, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and assist in the processing and documentation of FOIA requests.
Cloud ComputingCyber SecurityBig DataInformation TechnologyAnalyticsCloud Data ServicesIT Infrastructure
Responsibilities
Manage intake processes for new requests in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as DOI and NPS policies and guidelines to include:
Monitoring FOIAXpress for new requests and referrals
Monitoring mail, faxes, email accounts, and inputting new requests into FOIAXpress
Analyzing incoming requests for procedural deficiencies, e.g., fees, scope, request not made in compliance with statutory or regulatory requirements
Drafting acknowledgment letters to include assigning proper fee categories, expedited processing determinations, and fee waivers while identifying requests that will require further clarification with the requester, e.g. issues of scope or fees
Coordinating with NPS components for review of responsive records and delivery of cases to and from component offices
Updating requester and subject fields for public visibility for new requests in FOIAXpress
Assign new requests to appropriate regional and park FOIA POCs in FOIAXpress
Send acknowledgement letters
Manage searches for new and existing requests in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as DOI and NPS policies and guidelines to include:
Identifying offices, personnel and park units that may have responsive records
Tasking searches and monitoring the responses to ensure searches are complete. Follow up with custodians who do not reply within timeframes
Ensuring custodians complete proper search documentation
Providing guidance and hands-on-training to custodians to assist with conducting proper searches to records custodians
Determining if a particular FOIA request qualifies for eDiscovery search options in accordance with DOI and NPS policies and guidance
Gathering and organizing the documents located from custodians
Using NPS provided software to convert documents to pdf format, to include conversion of attachments
Reviewing documents to determine responsiveness to the FOIA requests
Process records and prepare responses in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements, as well as DOI and NPS policies and guidelines to include:
Identifying information exempted from release in accordance with the applicable statutes and regulations described in Part 6 and application of the appropriate exemptions to the information
Redacting protected information in records for FOIA requests, annotating on records the FOIA/Privacy Act (PA) exemptions or PA exceptions used to withhold protected information, and preparing the agency response to FOIA/PA requests discussing the bases for the application of FOIA/PA exemptions and PA exceptions
Providing review of NPS component release recommendations and assist in reconciling difference in release recommendations
Processing electronic redaction of exempt information for case records
Preparing internal and external correspondence for approval by the NPS FOIA Officers and other NPS staff responsible for responding to requests for coordination and document releases
Conducting appropriate coordination, as needed, and documenting accordingly
Coordinating with Program POCs to review records for responsiveness
Coordinating follow-up of agency coordination to determine review status
Providing reproduction of documents required for case records
Working with POCs to review responsive records for any needed redactions
Consulting with attorneys throughout Office of the Solicitor (SOL), private attorneys, bureau and office representatives, and individuals in the general public in order to clarify facts or reach an agreement for the expeditious handling of FOIA/PA requests
Conducting legal research of applicable law and regulations to keep informed of statues, changes or updates in order to apply correct principles of law to FOIA cases
Preparing the agency response to FOIA requests to include the bases for release determinations
Prepare final response packages for signing by Federal staff
Identifying and flagging potential deliberative and pre-decisional information for review by Federal staff
Flagging potential White House equities within responsive record packages for review by NPS FOIA Officers
FOIA Administrative Support
Creating and maintaining electronic administrative case files to include comprehensive documentation of actions taken in each case
Updating cases in FOIAXpress to ensure accuracy of data and actions taken in processing requests
Reconciling differences between administrative case files and FOIAXpress
Performing administrative duties including; typing, filing, taking phone calls and directing calls to appropriate person or office; opening and routing office mail; recording and transmitting messages; keeping FOIA email boxes organized and appropriately filing emails in proper folders; keeping records of calls from requesters and other stakeholders regarding particular FOIA requests; providing information to callers and visitors regarding FOIA requests on basic office policies and procedures; operating basic office equipment (e.g., photocopier, scanner, facsimile, multi-line phone/voicemail systems, and minimal computer programs); preparing correspondence and form letters in accordance with established guidelines, using clear, concise language and ensuring that spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct
Reviewing requests and related correspondence to extract selected data and information relating to the specific issues and reviewing and summarizing pertinent information
Reviewing the case file to become familiar with the issues raised in FOIA that are under consideration
Inputting and maintaining data concerning FOIA requests in automated tracking logs and update as necessary
Preparing detailed Vaughn indices, to include entries that: (1) identify each document withheld; (2) state the statutory exemption claimed; and (3) explain how disclosure would damage the interests protected by the claimed exemption
Preparing weekly FOIA report for NPS leadership
Preparing and post monthly data quality audit reports, e.g. overdue fee waiver and expedited processing tasks and missing perfected dates
Preparing custom reports as needed
Performing case file close-out including archiving files
Assisting NPS FOIA Officers in preparing materials for posting on website including ensuring Section 508 compliance
Qualification
Required
An Associate's degree or equivalent experience
NACI Clearance
Personnel must have three or more years of experience in analytical and administrative support services, including advanced skill in processing records for release under the FOIA
FOIA Analysts must be highly experienced in using the Microsoft Office Suite (to include Outlook, Word, and Excel), Adobe Acrobat, and electronic FOIA processing and e-discovery tools
FOIA Analysts shall possess an excellent ability to communicate orally and in writing to effectively assist, interpret, track, and document casework
Preferred
Incumbent candidate or NPS experience
Company
Wits Solutions Inc.
Founded in 2008, WITS Solutions is a small business headquartered just outside of Washington, DC, with personnel in 35 states across the US supporting customer projects.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase