Title: FOIA Analyst/Specialist
Work locations: Onsite at Lakewood, CO
Work Authorization: USC, GC
Agency: National Park Service
Duration of contract: 1 year
Job Responsibilities:
1. FOIA Request Intake & Initial Processing
- Manage the intake of new FOIA requests from all channels, including FOIAXpress, mail, fax, and email, ensuring they are properly logged and tracked.
- Analyze incoming requests for procedural compliance (e.g., scope, fees) and identify any deficiencies.
- Draft and send acknowledgment letters, including assigning proper fee categories, making expedited processing determinations, and assessing fee waiver requests.
- Assign new requests to the appropriate regional and park FOIA points of contact (POCs) within FOIAXpress.
- Coordinate with NPS components to ensure the smooth transfer of cases and responsive records.
2. Records Search, Collection & Management
- Identify NPS offices, park units, and personnel likely to hold responsive records.
- Task and monitor searches for records, following up with custodians to ensure deadlines are met and that searches are complete and properly documented.
- Provide guidance and hands-on training to records custodians on conducting effective searches.
- Determine when a request qualifies for eDiscovery search options and manage the process accordingly.
- Gather, organize, and convert all located documents into a standard PDF format for review.
3. Document Review, Redaction & Response Preparation
- Conduct detailed reviews of responsive records to identify information that is exempt from release under FOIA and the Privacy Act (PA).
- Perform electronic redactions of protected information, clearly annotating the legal basis and specific exemptions used for each withholding.
- Collaborate with NPS components, Program POCs, and attorneys in the Office of the Solicitor (SOL) to review records, reconcile release recommendations, and resolve complex issues.
- Identify and flag sensitive information, such as pre-decisional/deliberative content or potential White House equities, for senior-level review.
- Draft comprehensive agency responses, internal correspondence, and final release packages for approval and signature by Federal FOIA Officers.
- Conduct legal research to stay informed of changes in statutes and case law to ensure the correct application of legal principles.
4. Administrative, Reporting & Case File Management
- Create and maintain accurate, comprehensive electronic case files, documenting all actions taken for each request.
- Continuously update the FOIAXpress system to ensure data integrity and reconcile any differences with administrative case files.
- Prepare and distribute regular reports, including weekly updates for NPS leadership, monthly data quality audits, and custom reports as needed.
- Prepare detailed Vaughn indices for litigation, clearly explaining the justification for withheld documents.
- Perform case file close-out procedures, including the proper archiving of records.
- Assist in preparing materials for the public website, ensuring all content is Section 508 compliant.
- Provide general administrative support, including managing phone calls, correspondence, and organizing the FOIA email inbox.
Requirements:
- An Associate’s degree or 2 years of FOIA processing experience
- 3+ years of FOIA processing
- Experience in using electronic FOIA processing and e-discovery tools, Microsoft Office Suite (to include Outlook, Word, and Excel), and Adobe Acrobat.
- Must be eligible for and maintain a Public Trust background clearance; must qualify for a government-issued ID badge (PIV card)
Benefits:
- Base salary based on job, experience and skill level.
- Health benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans.
- 401(k) with 4% company match.
- 10 days Paid time off (PTO) and eleven (11) paid federal holidays.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Application Question(s):
- What is your work status: US Citizen, Permanent resident, H1B, OPT?
- What is your expected annual salary?
- What is your current security clearance Status?
Education:
Experience:
Ability to Commute:
- Lakewood, CO 80226 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Lakewood, CO 80226: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
