Freedom of Information Act FOIA Specialist

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist

Clearance Requirement: Top Secret

Location: Pentagon, Arlington, VA (On-site)

Client: Headquarters Department of the Air Force (HQ DAF)

Job Requirement

· Manage FOIA requests end-to-end: intake, routing/referral, coordination with OPRs/SMEs, review, redaction, and response drafting.

· Use FOIA Xpress to apply and verify redactions; support exemption determinations and legally compliant disclosure decisions.

· Track statutory/local suspenses and provide routine suspense updates to keep cases on schedule.

· Coordinate directly with other federal agencies to facilitate referrals and processing.

· Draft release letters and other correspondence per local guidelines; prepare special letters for AF civilian review when directed.

· Provide customer support to requesters (submission guidance, status inquiries).

· Prepare open case/backlog and ad hoc reports; support monthly caseload/backlog reporting and backlog reduction efforts.

· Support administrative tasks including document management, filing, data entry, and mailroom coordination as required.

· Provides administrative and FOIA program support.

· Independently reviews and analyzes FOIA requests and the records responsive to such requests and determines if the request/records fall under the purview of the supported office or should be referred to another agency for processing.

· Coordinate directly with other federal agencies to facilitate the processing/referral of FOIA requests.

· Process documents for release to include the redaction of documents using the FOIA Xpress software redaction capability.

· Research, prepare, and coordinate responses to general/specific requests.

· Determine the release of information withheld from disclosure citing the appropriate FOIA exemption code(s).

· Address whether fees will be charged, reduced, or waived in responding to requestors. Reconcile the request against active suspense’s imposed by statutory and local requirements.

· Draft correspondence and prepare the release letter to the requestor in accordance with local guidelines.

· Draft any special letters to FOIA requesters for AF civilian review as directed.

· Mail documents to the requestor in accordance with office procedures and deliver to the mailroom.

· Provide customer assistance in the submission of their request for information.

· Provide technical and administrative support and assistance.

· Prepare a variety of reports to include Open case/Backlog report and Ad Hoc reports.

· Conduct legal research as needed to determine proper application of the FOIA requests.

Minimum Qualifications

· High school diploma (or equivalent).

· At least 1 year of FOIA-related experience (or similar).

· Hands-on experience reviewing records, redacting documents, and drafting FOIA response letters.

· Working knowledge of FOIA requirements and exemptions; strong attention to detail.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; proven reliability and professionalism.

· Experience handling sensitive/confidential information in accordance with security protocols.

Preferred

· DoD/Air Force FOIA experience; familiarity with eFOIA tracking and backlog reporting.

· FOIA Xpress experience.