Senior FOIA Analyst

West 4th Strategy•Washington, DC

5d•$72,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

We need two experienced Senior FOIA Analysts to support the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program at the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid (FSA), located in the Chief Operating Officer's Office in Washington, DC. This role provides technical subject matter expertise in the processing of FOIA and Privacy Act requests, working to reduce the number of pending requests. You will accurately enter FOIA requests into FOIA Xpress and the Department's tracking and reporting system, communicate with FSA Principal Offices and requesters, perform redactions based on expert knowledge of the nine FOIA exemptions, and prepare interim and final response letters. This is a full-time opportunity supporting a high-visibility federal compliance mission.

Requirements

Knowledge and extensive experience with FOIA legislation, policies, guidance, regulations, procedures, and administrative processing systems, including FOIA Xpress and the FOIA Integrity Management System (FIMS).
Extensive experience with Privacy Compliance legislation, policies, guidance, regulations, and procedures.
Demonstrated expertise in the use and application of all major FOIA exemptions, experience processing complex FOIA requests, and experience processing FOIA Appeals.
Ability to analyze factual information, evaluate significant factors, and solve complex problems based on statistical data.
Mastery of Microsoft Office desktop applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn and utilize workflow software or other systems developed internally for FOIA request processing.
Self-directed and accustomed to effectively and efficiently working at a high-performance level with minimal input from program leadership; ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

Assist with processing incoming FOIA requests using FOIA Xpress and participate in intake meetings to assess such requests.
Provide technical support in processing FOIA requests, correctly and accurately entering requests and related correspondence into the Department's management, tracking, and reporting system.
Perform redactions to information responding to FOIA requests using FOIA Xpress based on expert knowledge of the nine (9) FOIA exemptions.
Prepare final response letters and memoranda for signature as appropriate.
Provide support to the Department's FOIA Service Center regarding the processing of Privacy Act requests using FOIA Xpress.
Recommend modified and/or new operational approaches, including use of FOIA Xpress, upon request from FSA FOIA management.
Keep the COR and FSA FOIA management apprised of progress and any issues that arise on a daily basis.
Process FOIA Appeals in accordance with established procedures and statutory timeframes.