Compliance Officer, Compliance Division W5123 (Repost)

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Henrico, Virginia, VA

4d • $101,000 • Onsite

About The Position

At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we are dedicated to putting people at the center of everything we do, striving to ensure every Virginian can live a life of dignity. We are a $2 billion agency, one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia, partnering with local departments, community action agencies, and other organizations to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We employ over 1,650 state and 12,200 local human services professionals who ensure vulnerable citizens have access to available services and benefits.

Reporting to the Director of Compliance, the Compliance Officer leads and coordinates the agency’s enterprise functions related to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), civil rights compliance, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility. This role ensures that public transparency, nondiscrimination, and accessibility obligations are met consistently and lawfully across the agency, supporting VDSS’ mission, priorities, and programs. The Compliance Officer advances the agency’s compliance posture through responsive service delivery, sound policy interpretation, and effective collaboration.

The Compliance Officer is responsible for managing a broad portfolio of compliance activities, with a primary focus on FOIA request coordination, tracking, review, and fulfillment; investigation and resolution of civil rights-related complaints and inquiries; and oversight of ADA accessibility requests and complaints. This role ensures timely, accurate, and compliant handling of all matters by developing clear procedures, coordinating with program divisions and legal counsel, and providing training, guidance, and tools to strengthen compliance capacity.

This role also involves building and maintaining effective working relationships with program leadership, local departments of social services, federal and state oversight entities, and community stakeholders to support consistent application of statutory requirements, coordinated communication, and effective issue resolution. The Compliance Officer monitors trends, findings, and data across FOIA, civil rights, and ADA activities to identify risks and opportunities for process improvement, partnering with agency leaders to implement corrective actions and strengthen internal controls. Establishing transparent processes, service standards, and documentation practices is key to ensuring readiness for external review, fostering public trust, and promoting equitable access to agency programs, services, and information.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, including statutory timelines, exemptions, redaction requirements, and public records standards.
• Knowledge of civil rights laws and regulations, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504, and related nondiscrimination requirements.
• Knowledge of Title II of Americans with Disabilities Act, including reasonable accommodation principles, effective communication obligations, and accessibility requirements.
• Knowledge of state government operations, program structures, and administrative processes that affect compliance activities.
• Knowledge of complaint intake, fact finding methods, and basic investigative practices.
• Knowledge of records management principles, including retention, disposition, confidentiality, and secure handling of sensitive or protected information.
• Knowledge of reporting practices, trend analysis, and data documentation methods that support compliance oversight.
• Skill in reviewing, interpreting, and applying statutes, regulations, and policies to real world scenarios.
• Skill in analyzing complex information, identifying risks or deficiencies, and recommending corrective actions.
• Skill in coordinating with staff at all levels, gathering facts, and facilitating timely responses.
• Skill in writing clear, concise, and accurate correspondence, findings, summaries, and procedural guidance.
• Skill in organizing and tracking large volumes of information, including logs, deadlines, and case documentation.
• Skill in managing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting time sensitive requirements.
• Skill in creating and delivering training to strengthen staff understanding of FOIA, civil rights, and ADA responsibilities.
• Skill in using standard office technology and data tools, including spreadsheets, tracking systems, and document management platforms.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion, neutrality, and sound judgment.
• Ability to evaluate whether accommodations or nondiscrimination obligations were met and clearly communicate findings.
• Ability to work independently, manage high volume workflows, and complete tasks within strict timelines.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail when reviewing records, redacting information, or preparing complaint findings.
• Ability to build cooperative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate compliance, and prepare clear written findings.
• Ability to explain complex compliance requirements in a practical, understandable way.
• Ability to recognize patterns, identify systemic issues, and recommend improvements to strengthen agency practices.
• Ability to manage high volume, time sensitive workloads with accuracy and confidentiality.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution oriented during challenging interactions or high-profile matters.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of and/or relevant experience in law or a related subject area.
• Experience working in state government or a comparable public sector setting.
• FOIA Officer training or the ability to obtain it within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Relevant training or coursework related to civil rights, administrative law, or accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Leads and coordinates the agency’s enterprise functions related to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), civil rights compliance, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility.
• Ensures that public transparency, nondiscrimination, and accessibility obligations are met consistently and lawfully across the agency.
• Advances the vision and long term direction of the agency’s compliance posture through responsive service delivery, sound policy interpretation, and effective collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Manages and executes a broad portfolio of compliance activities, with primary focus on FOIA request coordination, tracking, review, and fulfillment.
• Investigates and resolves civil rights-related complaints and inquiries.
• Oversees ADA accessibility requests and complaints for citizens receiving services through VDSS or local social service partners.
• Ensures timely, accurate, and compliant handling of all matters by developing clear procedures, coordinating with program divisions and legal counsel, and providing training, guidance, and tools that strengthen compliance capacity across the agency.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with program leadership, local departments of social services, federal and state oversight entities, and community stakeholders.
• Monitors trends, findings, and data across FOIA, civil rights, and ADA activities to identify risks, recurring concerns, and opportunities for process improvement.
• Partners with agency leaders to implement corrective actions and strengthen internal controls.
• Establishes transparent processes, service standards, and documentation practices that ensure readiness for external review, foster public trust, and promote equitable access to agency programs, services, and information.

Benefits

• Excellent health and life insurance benefits
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• State funded Short and Long Term Disability
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition assistance
• Free wellness programs
• State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed