Position Objective: Provide services as a FOIA Policy Analyst in support of the overall functions of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The purpose of this position is to produce work products and documents associated with FOIA case processing, to include correspondence, researching, analyzing, and evaluating data for information request responses.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Research, analyze and evaluate data for information request responses, write final response letters with no redactions or with routine applicable exemptions. 2
- Independently process FOIA requests, including correspondence, memoranda, and redacting documents. 1
- Draft memoranda for NIH OD FOIA Office proposing a final determination on requests denied in part or full. 3
- Write email information request responses as received from other organizations and the public.
- Conduct research on relevant disclosure laws, regulations, policies, and precedents in order to reach conclusions regarding the release of requested information, and document results.
- Apply knowledge of the FOIA, the Privacy Act, DHHS FOIA Regulations, NIH policy and court decisions to review requests for information, determine the appropriateness of the release and review and make recommendations regarding appeals.
- Review documents and responses to ensure compliance with the Acts and the regulations and policies issued pursuant to them.
- Refer FOIA and PA requests to the appropriate NHLBI or InstituteCenter IC Service Center client divisions and offices for response documents.
- Consult with members of the public, attorneys, congressional staffers, IC management and NIH intramural or extramural staff to resolve requests for sensitive documents which may involve proprietary commercial and financial information, invasions of personal privacy, on-going investigations, or pre-decision and deliberative material.
- Consult with the DHHS FOI Office and the Office of General Counsel in reviewing and arriving at recommendations regarding requests involving administrative appeals.
- Review appeals for non-release of information or fees charged under the FOIA.
- Evaluate appeals considering applicable laws, regulations, andor additional justifications provided by the requester.
- Recommend approval disapproval of the appeal and write responses to the HHS FOIA Officer who decides administrative appeals.
- Coordinate information requests with other offices; maintain a record of information in case file as appropriate.
- Analyze regulations, case decisions, policies and procedures to determine whether private or confidential information can be released; draft memoranda based on findings.
- Participate in meetings and discussions with attorneys on how best to respond to lawsuits over information requests via phone and electronic correspondence.
- Analyze and provide written analyses of new regulations to determine their impact on existing policies and procedures.
- Use automated tracking systems to monitor requests for confidential information to ensure their timely resolution; extract information from multiple sources for use in writing reports.
- Draft a weekly progress report regarding the status of assigned FOIA cases and other activities to be submitted to the Branch Chief.
- Respond to inquiries for the formal release of documents.
- Communicate with consumers, the public or special interest groups on behalf of an organization.
- Negotiate informal agreements and support formal agreements to resolve conflicts between the requesters and providers of information; determine what is needed by a requester and assist the requester in formulating a request that will satisfy the requesters information needs.
- Interpret requirements, analyze gathered information, verify facts, draw conclusions and prepare work products.
- Work with staff on reporting requirements, including collecting information, collaborating with other offices and preparing written reports.
- Compile and analyze policy and related information.
- Collect, organize and analyze data from various sources.
- Prepare background information, options and recommendations that are used to brief upper management.
- Attend meetings, workshops, and seminars on relevant topics; provide a summary of relevant proceedings.
- Interpret, analyze and condense material from a variety of sources for presentation.
- Provide expert advice on the administrative and management implications of policy and program proposals.
- Prepare background information, options and recommendations that are used to brief upper management.
- Interpret, analyze and condense material from a variety of sources for presentation.
- Prepare recommendations and alternative options based on knowledge and analysis of policy practices and procedures.
- Attend meetings, workshops, and seminars on relevant topics; provide a summary of relevant proceedings.
- Prepare a variety of status reports, management summaries and briefing papers which identify problems, assess the overall condition of work completed or in progress, and outline issues, solutions and recommendations.
- Work products and documents associated with FOIA case processing, including correspondence, memoranda, and redacting documents; research, analyze and evaluate data for information request responses - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to computer generated work including materials; prepare and format documents; draft memoranda proposing a final determination on requests denied in part of full - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to the conduct of research relevant disclosure laws, regulations, policies, and precedents to reach conclusions regarding the release of requested information, and document results; Apply knowledge of the FOIA, the Privacy Act, DHHS FOIA Regulations, NIH policy and court decisions - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to writing analyses and findings on regulations, case decisions, policies and procedures; coordinate with attorney on how best to respond to lawsuits over information requests; consult with the DHHS FOI Office and the Office of General Counsel - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to evaluating appeals and making recommendations on appeals; analyze new regulations to determine impact on existing policy; draft weekly progress reports - Ad-Hoc
- Work products and documents related to negotiating informal agreements and supports formal agreements to resolve conflicts between the requesters and providers of information - Ad-Hoc
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Government Affairs, Public Policy, or a related discipline.
- Experience with policy briefs writing.
- Skilled in Word.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ability to multi-task and pay close attention to detail.
- Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.
GAP Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.
This position is contingent upon contract award.
