Job Family:Operational Effectiveness (ESA)
Travel Required:Up to 10%
Clearance Required:Active Top Secret (TS)
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 Lead 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 Lead FOIA Specialist is responsible for managing a team of FOIA analysis involved in developing and coordinating with appropriate DARPA staff as necessary to properly respond to FOIA requests. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide management and oversight for a team of up to a half-dozen FOIA analysts supporting the agency
- 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 line-by-line 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 service-oriented manner
- Interpret regulations and agency policy for DARPA personnel, as well as develop and recommend implementation of agency-level 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 agency-wide 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 agency's 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
What You Will Need: - An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "TOP SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance
- Bachelor's degree; FOUR (4) additional years of specific experience in processing FOIA cases in a federal agency may be used in lieu of degree
- EIGHT (8) or more years of experience in processing FOIA cases in an federal agency. Experience includes but not limited to:
- Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act, including administrative processing, exemptions, submitter notices, and other FOIA processes
- Experience with managing a team of FOIA analysts supporting an Executive Branch agency
- Experience utilizing FOIAXpress database (or similar FOIA tracking software)
- Possess the energy, experience, and subject matter expertise to demonstrate sound judgment, foresight and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced 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 data-gathering 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 security clearance
- 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
