JOURNEYMAN FOIA SPECIALIST

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Journeyman Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist

Location: Onsite – VA Central Office, 811 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420

Pay Range: $35.00 – $38.00 per hour

Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract

Position Summary

CLJ Consulting and Contracting LLC is seeking a Journeyman Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FOIA Program by performing mid-level FOIA processing activities in accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552, VA policy, and applicable federal regulations. This role supports intake, processing, document review, redaction, and response drafting within the VA’s designated eFOIA system of record. The Journeyman FOIA Specialist independently processes routine and moderately complex FOIA requests while coordinating with senior staff and VA stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant request handling. All final FOIA determinations remain under the authority of VA FOIA Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret and analyze FOIA requests to determine scope, record requirements, and appropriate processing actions.
• Conduct FOIA request searches and validate responsive records in coordination with VA Service Line offices.
• Apply FOIA exemptions and perform redactions in accordance with statute, VA policy, and guidance.
• Prepare draft FOIA responses, redacted records, and supporting documentation for senior staff and VA FOIA Service review.
• Process Simple and Complex FOIA requests within the VA’s eFOIA system of record.
• Communicate with requesters as needed to clarify requests or obtain additional information, under VA FOIA Service direction.
• Support backlog reduction efforts by meeting established FOIA timeliness requirements.
• Maintain accurate FOIA case documentation and processing notes in the eFOIA system.
• Coordinate with Senior FOIA Specialists to ensure consistency and quality in FOIA processing activities.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of two (2) years of FOIA processing experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of FOIA statutes, exemptions, and processing workflows.
• Proficiency using FOIA redaction tools and case management systems.
• Strong attention to detail and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal FOIA training or certification.
• Prior experience supporting FOIA operations within a federal agency.
• Experience drafting FOIA correspondence and response packages.
• Familiarity with VA FOIA policies or enterprise FOIA systems.

Clearance Requirement

• Ability to obtain and maintain a government Public Trust clearance