FOIA Specialist (Part-Time)

Arlington County VA•Arlington, VA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Arlington County's Police Department (ACPD) is seeking a highly organized and time-conscious FOIA Specialist to assist with managing requests submitted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This position engages directly with members of the community to facilitate public records requests by identifying, gathering, and reviewing responsive documents and digital evidence. The role is responsible for ensuring all records are properly prepared and redacted in full compliance with Virginia FOIA and applicable legal standards. The selected candidate will communicate professionally, both verbally and in writing, while representing the Department in interactions with the public, internal staff, and external partners. This position sits within the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), whose mission is to support the Police Department's overall mission by developing and implementing sound regulations and policies and by ensuring that the Department's actions uphold the highest standards of integrity, comply with governing laws and policies, and align with established professional standards.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Policy, or a related field
Some experience in public administration and general research in public policy
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, etc.)
Knowledge of Virginia FOIA as it applies to law enforcement records
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including conveying complex and confidential information clearly and concisely
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Axon, GovQA, and the Department's Law Enforcement Records Management System (LERMS)
Ability to gather, organize, evaluate, and analyze data and to manage timelines effectively
Ability to solve loosely defined problems and work independently with minimal supervision
Obtain Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) certification
Complete FOIA training through the Virginia FOIA Council and the Office of the County Attorney

Nice To Haves

Some experience working as a Paralegal
Experience applying Virginia FOIA requirements to law enforcement records
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, etc.)
Experience using the GovQA platform

Responsibilities

Assisting with the intake of and response to FOIA requests
Analyzing incoming requests to determine compliance with Virginia FOIA standards and departmental procedures, including identifying applicable exemptions
Collecting and examining responsive documents and digital evidence to determine releasability and ensuring all redactions comply with Virginia FOIA, applicable statutes, and departmental policies
Supporting the management of the Department's records repository in GovQA and collaborating with the Office of the County Attorney on the redaction of body-worn and in-car camera video
Maintaining accurate logs and documentation of requests, monitoring deadlines, and providing regular updates to the FOIA Officer or supervising staff
Maintaining knowledge of and contributing to the development of departmental policies, procedures, and other written directives
Attending applicable training provided by the Virginia FOIA Council and the Office of the County Attorney to stay current on FOIA guidelines
Performing other related duties as assigned to support the Department's operational needs