Junior FOIA Analyst

Parra Consulting Group, Inc. is currently seeking a Junior FOIA Analyst to provide support in Washington, D.C.

This successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and the ability to explain the basic requirements of the law.
• Ability to analyze a request for records and determine if it meets the criteria for a FOIA request.
• Ability to determine if the records have been reasonably described in sufficient detail to enable determining where to search for responsive records and what criteria will be required for conducting a search.
• Ability to analyze a request and determine where to search for responsive records.
• Knowledgeable of the requirements for fee waivers and expedited processing.
• Ability to analyze requests for fee waivers and expedited processing and determine when to grant or deny based on the requirements for fee waivers or expedited processing.
• Knowledge of FOIA processing timelines.
• Knowledge of requester categories and criteria for determining applicable categories.
• Knowledge of a FOIA reading room and the ability to access and research a reading room to determine if requested documents are posted.
• Knowledge of how to conduct a search for publicly available records using Internet search engines.
• Basic knowledge of all nine (9) FOIA exemptions and how to apply them.
• Knowledge of the functions and purpose of a database and basic ability to utilize a database to build a request/case in the database, update information, extract information and interpret information, with the understanding that specific training on a particular database may be required.
• Ability to draft correspondence tasking other offices to complete actions required for processing requests, including but not limited to searching for, compiling and providing responsive records.
• Ability to analyze the responses received from other offices when compared to the FOIA request to determine adequacy of search, to include search locations, search parameters and method of search, such as physical files or electronic, to the degree reasonably possible and to ensure all areas were addressed with either records or the rationale when no records were found.
• Ability to use redaction software, specified by the agency, to redact information to be withheld, identify all applicable exemptions and prepare the document for release.
• Ability to review correspondence, particularly with the FOIA requester and compare it to previous correspondence to ensure all references coincide.
• Ability to manage suspense's, utilize a suspense tracking system and follow-up in a timely manner when suspense's are not met.
• Ability to draft correspondence, often but not always by modifying a template, that adequately addresses the issues at hand.
• Ability to draft a final response, administratively and contextually correct, to the requester addressing all issues requested and clearly explaining what was withheld and the reasons for withholding.
• Familiarization with maintaining a correspondence log and the requirements for an importance of keeping an accurate record of all correspondence.

 Qualifications Required:

• Ability to obtain Public Trust
• 3-5 years of experience
• No degree required.
• Freedom of Information Act, suggest significant understanding.
• Attention to detail.
• Sufficient command of the English language to be able to understand verbal and written communications and prepare correspondence that is grammatically and contextually correct.
• Reading comprehension sufficient to analyze content and reasonably determine requested information.