Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist - Department of the Air Force

Description

The FOIA Specialist provides full-cycle Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) processing and program support to the Headquarters Department of the Air Force (DAF).
This role ensures that all FOIA requests are received, analyzed, processed, and responded to accurately, efficiently, and in full compliance with federal law, DoD directives, and Air Force instructions.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and Analyze Requests 
• Coordinate and Process Records 
• Draft and Issue Responses 
• Customer Service & Stakeholder Communication 
• Program Support & Reporting 
• Compliance & Records Management 
• Independently review incoming FOIA requests to determine scope, applicable exemptions, and proper routing. 
• Identify records responsive to requests and determine whether the request falls within the supported office or requires referral to another agency. 
• Coordinate directly with other federal agencies and Air Force offices to facilitate timely processing or referral. 
• Redact documents using FOIA Xpress or equivalent software, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable exemptions. 
• Prepare and submit complete FOIA Search Packages and maintain accurate case records within the eFOIA system. 
• Draft correspondence, including release letters, special letters for Air Force civilian review, and fee determinations. 
• Ensure all releases are accurate, complete, and in compliance with statutory and local requirements. 
• Provide courteous, professional assistance to requesters and internal stakeholders. 
• Answer questions related to FOIA requests, data calls, and case status. 
• Provide executive-level briefings and written updates to leadership. 
• Track and report on FOIA backlog reduction efforts. 
• Prepare required reports such as Open Case/Backlog reports, Caseload & Backlog monthly reports, and ad hoc analyses. 
• Support FOIA litigation cases by providing documentation and coordinating with legal offices. 
• Ensure adherence to the Privacy Act, DoD and Air Force policies, and other applicable information-access regulations. 
• Safeguard controlled unclassified information (CUI) and personally identifiable information (PII).

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent. 
• Experience: At least 1 year of FOIA-related experience (federal or comparable setting), including: 
• Skills & Knowledge: 
• Processing and responding to FOIA requests. 
• Reviewing and redacting documents for release. 
• Drafting legally compliant FOIA correspondence. 
• Thorough understanding of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. §552), relevant DoD/USAF policies, exemptions, and release procedures. 
• Strong research and analytical skills to determine appropriate application of FOIA exemptions and redactions. 
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple requests and deadlines. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and FOIA tracking/redaction tools (e.g., FOIA Xpress). 
• Strong written and oral communication skills.