Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: Junior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist
Location: Onsite – VA Central Office, 811 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20420
Pay Range: $28.00 – $30.00 per hour
Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract
Position Summary
CLJ Consulting and Contracting LLC is seeking a Junior Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Specialist to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) FOIA Program by assisting with FOIA intake, initial reviews, record searches, and routine correspondence drafting. This entry-level role supports FOIA processing activities under the guidance of senior staff and contributes to timely, compliant handling of FOIA requests within the VA’s designated eFOIA system of record. The Junior FOIA Specialist plays a key role in supporting enterprise backlog reduction efforts while gaining experience in federal FOIA operations. All final FOIA determinations remain under the authority of VA FOIA Services.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct initial reviews of FOIA requests to support intake and processing activities.
- Assist with searches for responsive records in coordination with VA Service Line offices.
- Draft routine FOIA correspondence and supporting documentation for senior staff review.
- Support document organization, indexing, and preparation for redaction.
- Enter and maintain accurate FOIA case information within the VA’s eFOIA system of record.
- Track assigned tasks and follow processing timelines to support backlog reduction.
- Communicate with senior FOIA staff regarding case status, issues, or required follow-up actions.
- Perform FOIA-related tasks in accordance with VA policies, procedures, and guidance.
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of one (1) year of FOIA processing or FOIA support experience.
- Basic knowledge of FOIA statutes and processing concepts.
- Strong written communication and organizational skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Outlook, Excel).
Preferred Qualifications
- Formal FOIA training or coursework.
- Prior experience supporting FOIA operations within a federal or regulated environment.
- Familiarity with FOIA tracking or case management systems.
Clearance Requirement
- Ability to obtain and maintain a government Public Trust clearance.