FOIA SPECIALIST/CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS

Description

This positions reviews radio traffic, phone recordings, and CAD reports for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and will have to appear in court as Custodian of records. It also receives in-coming emergency and non-emergency calls; dispatches calls for law enforcement, fire, EMS and other personnel and services in an accurate, timely and professional manner; maintains accurate and complete dispatch records, and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

Work environment involves exposure to no known hazards; and is relatively safe, secure and stable.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides required Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) support services
• Interacts with staff at various levels to develop priorities for FOIA requests to meet suspense deadlines
• Processes Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests by retrieving electronic records.
• Serves as focal point of contact for all FOIA requests and actions within the organization
• Manages, tracks and completes all FOIA actions
• Maintains a FOIA request tracking system
• Enters requests, responsive records and supporting documents into FOIA tracking system
• Prepares and submits required FOIA reports
• Performs basic administrative FOIA functions such as document searches and scanning
• Conducts searches and reviews related to FOAI requests and documents results on required forms
• Maintains a log to track requests for responsive records, completes actions within the designated timeframes and deadlines
• Researches problems and reviews issues related to FOIA requests, clarifies issues and evaluates the need for additional information
• Coordinates FOIA training as required
• Performs other related duties as assigned; including call taking, dispatching and possibly assisting with supervisory duties
• Performs all duties in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, regulations and standards of safety.
• Attend Court proceedings as the Custodian of Records
• Operates a variety of equipment such as a CAD, two-way radio system, fax machine, copier, telephone, etc
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals to include managers, supervisors, co-workers, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, emergency response agency personnel and the general public.
• Attends periodic training sessions and attends seminars and meetings for continued education.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or GED;
• One (1) year relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
• NCIC certification and/or 40 hour E911 Basic Telecommunications Officer Certification from the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy;
• Must have available transportation as emergency personnel and be accessible by phone all hours.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office
• Must possess NCIC certification.
• May be required to complete additional training and certifications as deemed necessary by supervisor;
• Must have available transportation as emergency personnel and be accessible by phone
• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculating ratios, rates and percent;
• Ability to coordinate or determine time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers
• or assistants;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform coordinating work involving guidelines and rules with constant problem solving;
• Ability to read journals, manuals, and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, general public, people in other organizations; composing original reports, scripts, articles, press releases, brochures, and other publication materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar and style;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.






































To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
https://hr.columbiasc.gov/benefits/