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 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
• Other duties as assigned
  

What You Will Need:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "TOP SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance
• Bachelor's 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 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

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected 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 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. 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 @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com.  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.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

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.