FOIA Specialist

Job Family:

Travel Required:

Clearance Required:

What You Will Do:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been at the forefront of breakthrough technologies for national security for decades. From the internet and GPS to stealth technology and rapid vaccine development DARPA drives pivotal high-impact innovation.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist will support DARPA by processing responses to FOIA requests from the public as well as providing guidance and advice to DARPA staff to ensure compliance with Federal laws regulations and policies to senior management officials. The FOIA Specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating with appropriate DARPA staff as necessary to properly respond to FOIA requests. Responsibilities include but not limited to:

Respond to complex cases including litigation and appeals demonstrating expert knowledge of the FOIA its exemptions and the administration of the FOIA ensuring that records are released according to laws regulations and agency policy

• Receive log-in and process FOIA requests including completing searches for responsive records conducting submitter notices coordinating with subject matter experts (SMEs) analyzing records preparing detailed high-quality responses and updating FOIA case management tracking systems to ensure that requests are handled in a timely manner in accordance with DoD guidance
• Communicate with all levels of public and private organizations to properly process FOIA requests
• Create and maintain detailed FOIA case files tracking the status of requests from intake to final response
• Conduct linebyline reviews and analysis of a variety of records in response to FOIA requests to determine which if any FOIA exemptions apply and redact any withheld information before public release ensuring that redactions are neat clear and accurately indicate exemptions
• Communicate and collaborate regarding the status and processing of requests including clarifying requests when necessary and resolve issues regarding requests in a timely and serviceoriented manner
• Interpret regulations and agency policy for DARPA personnel as well as develop and recommend implementation of agencylevel FOIA compliance and program oversight structures in conjunction with the OSD/JS FOID DARPA Public Affairs Office and General Counsel as necessary
• Recommend and implement agencywide FOIA policies and procedures including internal procedures and guidelines based on new or revised legislation court decisions or recommendations
• Develop and recommend refinements to the agencys FOIA program
• Develop and apply guidance associated with the Freedom of Information Act restrictions on dissemination and withholding of records to the public principles of classification as embodied in Executive Orders DoD Directives and Instructions and Security Classification Guides
• Collect organize and analyze qualitative and quantitative data needed for annual reporting of FOIA activities
• Other duties as assigned
  

What You Will Need:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TOP SECRET Federal or DoD securityclearance
• Bachelors degree; FOUR (4) additional years of experience in processing FOIA cases in a federal agency
• FIVE (5) or more years of specific experience in processing FOIA cases in a federal agency. Experience should include but not limited to:
  • Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act including administrative processing exemptions submitter notices and other FOIA processes
  • Experience utilizing FOIAXpress database (or similar FOIA tracking software)
  • Possess the energy experience and subject matter expertise to demonstrate sound judgment foresight and problemsolving skills in a fastpaced Research & Development (R&D) environment
  • Possess excellent organizational and communication skills; demonstrating an ability to communicate interact easily and effectively with a wide variety of individuals and echelons in both written and verbal forms
  • Possess excellent research and datagathering skills with an ability to interpret/analyze complex information within operational R&D environments
  • Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment within the bounds and guidelines of the organization
    

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED TOP SECRET/SCI (TS/SCI) Federal or DoD securityclearance

• Experience working within the Department of War (DoW)
  

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical Rx Dental & Vision Insurance

• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Basic Life & Supplemental Life

• Health Savings Account Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Student Loan PayDown

• Tuition Reimbursement Personal Development & Learning Opportunities

• Skills Development & Certifications

• Employee Referral Program

• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program

• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity EmployerProtected Veterans Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law ordinance or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities or to apply for a position and you require an accommodation please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1- or via email at . All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @ or . Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

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Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.