ABOUT THE OFFICE

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking an experienced attorney to work in the Office of Information Policy (OIP), located in Washington, DC. OIP manages the Department’s responsibilities related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which includes coordinating and implementing policy development and compliance government-wide for the FOIA, processing FOIA requests for the senior leadership offices within the Department, adjudicating all administrative appeals from denials by any Department component under the FOIA, and assisting in the defense of certain FOIA matters in litigation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

OIP is hiring an Attorney-Advisor to serve as Chief of the Compliance Staff, responsible for supervising a small team of Attorney-Advisors and Government Information Specialists who coordinate and conduct OIP’s government wide FOIA compliance responsibilities.
Specifically, incumbent oversees OIP’s efforts to review and analyze data submitted by components of DOJ, which is then used to draft DOJ’s Annual FOIA Report. Likewise, the incumbent supervises the review of draft Annual FOIA Reports submitted to DOJ by all federal agencies subject to the FOIA, ensuring that all such reports are factually accurate and comply with all relevant legal and policy requirements. The incumbent oversees similar efforts to draft DOJ’s Chief FOIA Officer Report, and to conduct legal reviews of the draft Chief FOIA Officer Reports of all federal agencies subject to the FOIA. The incumbent also oversees the drafting of summaries and assessments of these reports, which consist of easily digestible summaries of the highlights of these reports, including scoring agencies on the strength of their FOIA programs, and making recommendations to improve the FOIA operations of federal agencies. The incumbent also oversees the drafting of the Litigation and Compliance Report, which is required to be submitted annually to Congress and the President, and which reports on DOJ’s efforts to encourage agency compliance with the FOIA, and also lists all litigation cases received and decided during the calendar year.
Exercises technical and administrative personnel management responsibilities for assigned personnel. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Evaluates work performance by reviewing it in progress, upon completion, or as appropriate on a spot check basis. Adjusts work schedules in response to changes in workload by determining time constraints and the availability, capabilities or personnel. Analyzes work methods to find ways to improve production. Interviews and participates in selection of candidates for vacant positions; recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training. Develops performance standards and informs employees of their compliance.
The incumbent serves as an expert in one or more FOIA-related subject-matter areas, and regularly fields questions from colleagues, other DOJ personnel, and other federal agencies concerning those areas of expertise. The incumbent acts as a primary author for major revisions of the FOIA Guide, a comprehensive legal treatise that provides an overview of the prevailing views of the federal courts on the proper interpretation of the FOIA’s provisions. Drawing on an extensive knowledge of the Blue Book, OIP’s Style Guide, and the formal rules of English grammar, recommends significant updates to the text and parentheticals of the FOIA Guide by synthesizing the existing case law with the many new relevant FOIA court decisions that are issued each year. May serve as a mentor and reviewer for newer attorneys who are less experienced FOIA Guide authors. Provides comprehensive written legal analyses to OIP’s Director and Chief of Staff regarding the merits of seeking further review of adverse federal court decisions that touch upon the incumbent’s areas of expertise. The incumbent may also assist other subject-matter experts in drafting such analyses. These analyses require the incumbent to determine the extent to which adverse court decisions are in harmony with the controlling case law, and to weigh Department-wide strategic considerations that must be considered to determine whether to seek further review of such decisions. Reviews and edits
draft responses to certain FOIA-related compliance and other inquiries made by members of the public or members of Congress. Oversees the review of draft FOIA regulations of other federal agencies. Formulates and drafts written guidance that will apply to all federal agencies subject to the FOIA. Provides oral or written legal advice to DOJ personnel and to federal agencies who contact OIP with questions implicating a variety of complex legal issues and unique fact patterns.
The incumbent oversees the management of OIP’s training program and regularly conducts training for personnel from DOJ and other federal agencies at seminars attended by as many as several hundred individuals. The topics of these seminars may range in scope from highly
specialized subjects to broad overviews of the FOIA’s provisions. Works closely with OIP’s leadership to observe trends in FOIA practice and to draft new agency guidance or develop new training based on those trends. Leads OIP’s efforts to procure new software systems for FOIA administration efforts. Also works with OMB and other agencies to maintain and upgrade FOIA.gov, and leads other technology-related FOIA initiatives. Assists OIP’s Director with responding to GAO audits and preparing for Congressional testimony or responding to other oversight inquires. The incumbent also supports the Director’s efforts to participate in the Chief FOIA Officer Council and FOIA public outreach efforts.
The incumbent is responsible and works independently with minimum oversight and technical review to ensure that all ongoing FOIA cases and assignments present a unified consistent approach that is protective of all areas of FOIA law across the department that affect other federal agencies while always ensuring that OIP’s mission is not compromised. Analyzes other federal agencies FOIA reports and aggressively determines positive and negative trends, and provides guidance based on those observations. As an authority in the assigned areas, incumbent has considerable latitude in problem identification, work prioritization, and methodology, and is expected to develop innovative ways to solve very complex issues and problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 3.5 years post-J.D. work experience to qualify at the GS-15 level.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience preparing agencies’ FOIA reports and other congressional reports; making policy recommendations; independently performing legal analysis; analyzing cases, requests, or policies for legal sufficiency; and providing expert legal advice and consultations.
Experience with, or interest in, the intersection between technology and records disclosure laws is desirable, including experience with technology used to support FOIA and/or records management systems such as FOIA case management and e-discovery platforms. Applicants should also be detail oriented, have excellent writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills, and have the ability to manage a complex and multifaceted workload.
Supervisory experience is preferred.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, tax and credit checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Applicants will be required to qualify for a Top Secret security clearance.
Please note that the time from selection of an applicant to the start date is typically about three months.

Please refer the Job description for details