FOIA Specialist / FOIA Attorney

Hi
Hope you are doing well,
Wits Solutions Inc., a Federal/IT contractor, looking for a FOIA Specialist @ Washington, DC. Please send across your updated resume to michel@witssolutions.com or call me on (571) 597-3731 | ext 55 if you are comfortable and interested.
Thank you

Role: - FOIA Specialist
Location: - Washington, DC
Client: - Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP) CEQ

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS MANDATORY

• Hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and maintain an active bar license in any U.S. jurisdiction.

WORK EXPERIENCE MANDATORY

• Have at least two years of experience processing FOIA requests for a federal government agency.
• Have at least two years of experience processing FOIA requests that required interagency coordination and clearance, including consultations with other federal agencies.
• Have at least four years of experience processing FOIA requests within the Executive Office of the President or supporting FOIA operations for a component of the Executive Office of the President.
• Have served as a subject matter expert in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act (PA), performing functions associated with reviewing and processing responsive records, including identifying applicable exemptions, redacting portions of records that cannot be released to requesters, and identifying records requiring special processing.
• Demonstrate experience applying FOIA exemptions during substantive document review, including familiarity with the privileges incorporated within FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6.
• Have experience performing quality control review of FOIA productions to verify exemption application, redaction accuracy, and release readiness.
• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Demonstrate the ability to multitask and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, and an electronic discovery or document review platform (e.g., Nuix Discover or similar tools).

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESFOIA Processing & Case Management

• Process FOIA requests and administrative appeals in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552.
• Review incoming requests for completeness; draft acknowledgment letters and requester communications.
• Track statutory deadlines and maintain FOIA tracking systems.
• Assist in evaluating expedited processing and fee waiver requests.

Records Search & Review

• Develop and execute search strategies to identify responsive records across electronic and hardcopy systems.
• Conduct document review using eDiscovery platforms (e.g., Nuix Discover, SharePoint).
• Determine responsiveness and apply appropriate metadata coding.

Document Review, Exemptions & Redactions

• Perform detailed, line-by-line review of records.
• Apply FOIA exemptions, especially Exemptions 5 and 6.
• Execute accurate redactions using tools such as Adobe Acrobat.
• Ensure redacted documents are legally compliant and release-ready.

De-duplication & Organization

• Identify and eliminate duplicate records.
• Organize and manage large datasets of documents for efficient review and release.

Consultations & Referrals

• Identify records requiring interagency coordination.
• Manage referrals and consultations with other federal agencies.

Release Preparation

• Compile and prepare final FOIA response packages.
• Ensure proper formatting, redactions, exemption markings, and document counts.

FOIA Appeals & Litigation Support

• Assist with administrative appeals, including re-reviews and additional searches.
• Support litigation activities by:
• Preparing Vaughn indexes
• Organizing administrative records
• Drafting declarations and litigation materials
• Coordinate with Department of Justice and agency counsel.

Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain accurate logs of FOIA processing activities.

Support preparation of:

• Annual FOIA Reports
• Chief FOIA Officer Reports
• Other program metrics and reporting requirement.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Do you hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and an active bar license in good standing in any U.S. jurisdiction?
• Do you have 5 years of experience as a FOIA Subject Matter Expert (SME)?
• Do you have hands-on experience applying FOIA Exemptions 5 and 6, reviewing responsive records, and performing legally compliant redactions?
• Do you have experience conducting quality control reviews of FOIA productions for exemption application, redaction accuracy, and release readiness?
• Have you used electronic discovery or document review platforms such as Nuix Discover, Relativity, or similar tools?
• Do you have experience processing FOIA administrative appeals, preparing Vaughn indexes, or supporting FOIA litigation?
• Are you comfortable to go onsite?
• Do you have at least 4 years of experience processing FOIA requests for a federal government agency?
• Do you have at least 4 years of experience handling FOIA requests requiring interagency consultations, coordination, or clearances?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $120,000 - $130,000