FOIA Records AnalystFDA: Main Campus, Silver Spring, MD - Silver Spring, MD 20993
Overview
Level:
Experienced Position Type: Full Time Job Shift: DayDescriptionThe FOIA Disclosure Specialist is responsible for supporting the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program through the review, analysis, redaction, and release of responsive records. This role works closely with staff, contractors, requesters, and stakeholders to ensure that FOIA requests are processed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and agency policies. This position also involves specialized review of scientific and technical records where applicable.
Key Responsibilities:- Review FOIA requests to determine appropriate actions and response times
- Search, analyze, and process materials responsive to FOIA requests
- Prepare FOIA request folders, track requests in agency systems, and draft response letters
- Prepare an index of produced documents including document details, withheld portions, and exemption codesSupport cradle-to-grave processing of disclosure requests, including recommendations for redactions and release determinations
- Review, evaluate, and analyze routine disclosure requests and recommend clearance of OC's disclosure activities
- Ensure disclosure analysis requests are accurate, satisfactory, timely, and contain only information considered disclosable under FOIA, the Privacy Act, and applicable regulations
- Review documents for disclosure and recommend appropriate action
- Keep abreast of all changes to the statues and regulations to ensure compliance
- Maintain awareness of current developments to correctly review and analyze records for disclosure
- Apply understanding of scientific principles, content, and context related to drug and biological products for consistent disclosure determinations (for records with scientific content)
- Review and ensure work products comply with job aids, policies, and procedures
- Keep abreast of all changes to the statutes and regulations to ensure compliance
- Redaction & Disclosure
- Redact records in accordance with FOIA, the OPEN Government Act, the E-Gov Act, and applicable job aids and guidance from OC staff
- Apply exemptions appropriately to ensure information exempt under statutes is withheld
- Utilize Adobe Acrobat Pro (or other approved software) to electronically redact and prepare records, including boxing exempt material, sanitization, and Bates numbering if applicable
- Prepare documents and Vaughn indices for disclosure-based litigation, as required
- Ensure released materials do not contain exempt information
- Correspondence & Communication
- Draft original correspondence for release on behalf of the agency
- Communicate with requesters, regulated industry, sponsors, staff, contractors, and other stakeholders to clarify requests and provide updates
- Serve as liaison with requesters and, on occasion, other agencies or appellants
- Compliance & Quality
- Ensure disclosure analysis is accurate, timely, and compliant with FOIA, the Privacy Act, and applicable regulations
- Stay up to date on statutory and regulatory changes to maintain compliance
- Ensure released materials do not contain information exempt under applicable statutes
- Meet agency performance standards, including review rates and timeliness metrics
- Reporting & Tracking
- Maintain accurate data entry in FOIA tracking databases
- Monitor request backlogs and prioritize processing of sensitive or time-critical cases
Prepare indexes of produced documents, including withheld portions and exemption codesSupport reporting requirements for leadership and oversight staffDISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned in accordance with business demands and/or contractual requirements.
Qualifications
Required Education & Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Health, Regulatory, Information Science, Legal Studies, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).Required years of experience: 4-8Experience working with FOIA requests, information disclosure, records management, or compliance preferred.
Strong analytical skills to review, evaluate, and determine appropriate release/redaction actions.
Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro and electronic redaction tools.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple requests in a deadline-driven environment.
