Declassification Analyst

Koniag Government Services, LLC•Washington, DC

34d

About The Position

Koniag IT Systems, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Declassification Analyst to support KITS and our government customer in Washington, DC. We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more. The Declassification Analyst conducts systematic reviews of classified materials under the MDR program to determine releasability, declassify where appropriate, and protect national security information. The analyst identifies equity holders, applies classification guidance, drafts determinations, manages referrals, and ensures compliance with Department of State policy and federal directives. The role requires meticulous analysis, sound judgment, and excellent stakeholder communication to meet timeliness and quality targets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (e.g., International Affairs, History, Information/Library Science, Security Studies, Public Policy) or equivalent experience.
2+ years (Analyst) or 5+ years (Senior Analyst) experience in MDR, FOIA declassification, or classified records review in a federal environment (DOS preferred).
Demonstrated expertise applying classification/declassification principles, equities identification, and exemption criteria.
Experience with case management systems, records repositories, and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, eRecords, A‑files, cable databases).
Strong analytical writing: ability to draft clear determinations, rationales, and correspondence.
Detail orientation with proven ability to meet timeliness, accuracy, and throughput targets.
Ability to work in SCIF or controlled records environments; familiarity with secure handling and chain‑of-custody practices.
Excellent communication and stakeholder coordination skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting Department of State MDR/FOIA/Declassification programs (e.g., ARPs, IPS/IR, or bureau records offices).
Knowledge of interagency equities and referral processes (e.g., DoD, IC elements, NARA, other federal agencies).
Familiarity with classification guides, sensitivity markings, dissemination controls, and statutory/regulatory frameworks relevant to declassification and public access.
Experience preparing release packages: redaction tools, citations, justification templates, and correspondence.
Process improvement exposure (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, SOP optimization).
Advanced tools: OCR, e‑discovery platforms, digital redaction, and metadata QC.
Foreign language reading proficiency (nice‑to‑have for select records).

Responsibilities

MDR Intake & Triage: Log requests; verify scope, custodians, and records series; assign tracking numbers; manage queues and timelines.
Document Review & Adjudication: Evaluate classified records (text, multimedia, email, cables, memoranda) against applicable classification guides, directives, and statutes; determine declassification, partial release, or withholding.
Equity Identification & Referral Management: Identify other agency equities; prepare and track referrals; consolidate responses; reconcile conflicts; maintain comprehensive audit trail.
Redaction & Release Preparation: Apply appropriate redactions; verify citation and exemption rationale; produce releasable copies and determination letters.
Policy & Compliance: Follow DOS policies and MDR procedures; adhere to federal requirements (e.g., classification standards, records schedules); maintain chain of custody, version control, and review notes.
Quality Assurance: Conduct peer reviews; implement corrective actions; contribute to SOPs and job aids; support continuous improvement initiatives.
Stakeholder Communication: Coordinate with government MDR officers, FOIA/Declassification teams, program management, and external agencies; provide status updates and risk flags.
Data & Reporting: Maintain accurate metadata in tracking systems (e.g., case management tools, SharePoint); produce weekly/monthly metrics; support dashboards and briefings.
Security & Handling: Comply with SCIF procedures, marking/derivative classification rules, destruction/transfer protocols, and secure IT usage.
Training & Mentorship (Senior): Coach junior analysts; deliver quick‑reference guides; assist with onboarding and knowledge transfer.