What are the responsibilities and job description for the FOIA Specialist position at Virginia Jobs?
Title : FOIA Specialist DSP01269
State Role Title : Policy Planning Spec I
Hiring Range : Negotiable and commensurate with experience.
Pay Band : 4
Agency : Department of State Police
Location : North Chesterfield, Virginia
Agency Website : vsp.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type : Agency Employee Only - A
Job Duties
About the Position :
The Virginia State Police (VSP) is seeking to hire a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist in our Legal Office at State Police Headquarters in North Chesterfield, Virginia. The successful candidate will manage the Agency's FOIA program through the supervision of administrative staff who are entrusted with the responsibility of reviewing and processing responses to FOIAs, subpoenas, and other legal filings; serve as a liaison with various Agency members, and other governmental agencies; ensure the Department is in compliance with statutory requirements, as well as Departmental policies, procedures, and regulations as they relate to FOIAs, subpoenas, and other legal filings; monitor all sources for new FOIA, Discovery, Subpoena Duces Tecum, and government requests; communicate with the requester and third parties, as needed, to refine request, negotiate alternate time periods, respond to inquiries, coordinate search, ascertain the ability to release requested records, and resolves other relevant matters; and interact and communicate with Department members throughout the life of a request.
About the Agency :
We are seeking to expand our diverse team of change makers and innovators. As a member of the VSP family, you would make a difference by serving every city, county, town, resident, and visitor of the Commonwealth through supporting our vast public safety mission. Challenge yourself to make a difference today by applying for a career with VSP!
VSP embraces inclusion and diversity in our workforce and in the protection of all people. We embrace our tradition of professionalism and excellence, and we are excited for our future as we continue our journey to become a best-in-class state government agency. We are firmly committed to our family-like culture and are seeking to expand our team.
Minimum Qualifications
- Considerable knowledge of the United States and Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and Privacy Act regulations and amendments; of reporting and exemption requirements under FOIA; of the processes and procedures related to FOIA requests; and of the principles, practices, and techniques relating to the function of FOIA records request operation within a government environment.
- Working knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
- Skill in the use of computers and using Microsoft Office applications.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and describe a range of possible solutions for solving records request problems; to analyze and organize complex legal and technical issues; to prepare documents, spreadsheets and reports; to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis that includes analyzing FOIA unit metrics; to develop and conduct FOIA training; to organize program activities in accordance with the mission and goals of the FOIA unit; to develop best practices for the implementation and operation of an automated FOIA records database; to implement best practices to support the strategic direction of the FOIA unit; to create and manage long-term FOIA team goals; to assess program strengths, and identify areas for improvement; to supervise and coordinate work among the FOIA team; to implement and manage changes and interventions; and to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English with representatives of the general public, law enforcement, and the legal community.
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Additional Considerations
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and / or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Elements of the selection process include the screening of application(s); the interviewing of qualified candidate(s), to include pre-employment testing, a presentation and / or a work sample, if applicable; salary negotiation(s) if applicable; a background investigation; and a medical evaluation if applicable. The anticipated duration of the pre-employment process is determined by the successful completion of the above items.
Applications, cover letters and / or resumes shall only be accepted on-line through the PageUp recruitment management system at and must be received by 11 : 55 P. M. on January 17, 2025. Please limit resumes to four pages and cover letters to one page. Any additional attachments received in excess of this will not be considered.
PageUp provides a confirmation of receipt of your application, resume and / or cover letter submitted successfully. Please refer to your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. For questions, please contact the Employment Unit of the Human Resources Division at civilianemployment@vsp.virginia.gov.
The Department of State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, political affiliation, or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
V)alor (S)ervice (P)ride
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS / DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
