Paralegal (FOIA)

United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM)•Washington, DC

2d•$37 - $37•Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), through the Voice of America (VOA), produces broadcast and digital media to inform, engage, and connect global audiences with accurate, objective, and comprehensive news and information. This position provides primary administrative and paralegal support for the Agency’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program, procurement-related legal activities, and ethics compliance program. The role also involves general administrative support to the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Requirements

At least 2 years of relevant experience providing administrative and paralegal support in Federal legal environments.
At least 6 years of experience in performing administrative support for all aspects of Federal litigation.

Responsibilities

Provide primary administrative and paralegal support for the Agency’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program and procurement-related legal activities.
Assist in the intake, logging, tracking, and processing of FOIA requests.
Conduct document searches, organize responsive materials, and prepare documents for review by Agency counsel.
Identify, redact, and apply appropriate FOIA exemptions to responsive records, subject to attorney review and approval.
Conduct legal research under the direction of Agency counsel to ensure compliance with FOIA exemptions and other statute mandates.
Coordinate across Agency components to gather information and ensure timely FOIA responses.
Draft acknowledgment letters, interim responses, final responses, and appeal-related documentation.
Support procurement matters by organizing contract files, gathering supporting materials, and assisting counsel with reviews related to acquisitions, contract disputes, and compliance.
Prepare summaries, memos, and background materials as directed by Agency counsel.
Maintain accurate, up-to-date FOIA and procurement tracking logs and ensure that all records are retained in accordance with Agency procedures.
Communicate with requesters, vendors, or other stakeholders as directed by counsel.
Assist Agency ethics officials in supporting the Agency’s ethics compliance program.
Assist with intake, tracking, and processing of ethics inquiries.
Support the review and processing of financial disclosure reports, including initial checks for completeness and flagging potential issues for attorney review.
Maintain secure and organized ethics files in both electronic and hard-copy formats.
Assist with scheduling annual ethics training, tracking attendance, and maintaining documentation.
Prepare draft correspondence, guidance materials, or summaries for Agency ethics counsel.
Conduct basic research on ethics statutes, regulations, and prior Agency determinations, as assigned.
Assist with maintaining and updating internal ethics databases, logs, and reporting tools.
Provide general administrative support to the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
Attend OGC meetings as required to provide updates and receive direction.
Assist with maintaining shared office calendars, logs, and repository systems.
Help locate materials or perform non-traditional research, which may include in-person research at libraries or archives.
Respond to office inquiries, answer telephones when necessary, and assist office visitors in locating the appropriate Agency counsel.
Perform other similar or related duties as assigned.
Perform all other similar/related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.