FOIA Officer and Communications Specialist - 1025173-6689

at University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Coordinate document collection and retrieval to comply promptly with assigned FOIA requests for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• Review and process responsive documents, mark redactions and prepare response letters and other notices to requestors.
• File and post FOIA records and communication according to office procedures.
• Ensure compliance with FOIA-related timelines and university confidentiality requirements as pertains to records.
• Assist with data collection and verification related to FOIA processing.
• Work closely with FOIA officers within the University of Illinois System to ensure best practices and alignment.
• Protect the reputation of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, while ensuring compliance with all requirements.

• Act as campus expert on FOIA policies, processes and best practices.
• Answer questions and address concerns with individuals related or involved in FOIA requests.
• Conduct regular FOIA-related trainings for faculty and staff at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

• Assist with communications and writing projects as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, radio/television broadcasting, web/digital media, or a related field.
• One (1) year (12 months) of professional work experience in public relations, journalism, social media communications, newspaper reporting, radio/television broadcasting with emphasis on production, or web/digital media
• Note: Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.

• Three years of professional business or office experience, ideally in a legal, government or communications setting.
• Experience with project and records management programs, systems and processes.
• Experience in a higher education environment.

• Proven effectiveness and ability to use independent and sound judgement in evaluating information and the ability to communicate effectively with university staff from varying backgrounds and departments while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Proven effectiveness and ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner with competing deadliness and to reassess priorities daily.
• Ability to manage, track and plan complex projects and initiatives that support multiple goals.
• Ability to review, analyze and interpret documents for responsiveness and to understand and apply governmental regulations to documents and processes.
• Ability to take direction and handle assigned work independently following office protocols, with minimum instruction, and within the designated timeframe. Collaborative (team of teams strength) approach to the work environment.
• Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills to produce accurate, detail-oriented work while meeting stringent deadlines and project specifications.
• Ability to respond to many requests for information and ability to identify questions or issues that should be escalated within the office.
• Excellent problem-solving skills that require the ability to identify problems, gather data, establish facts, and present valid conclusions in response to problems. Ability to employ research and metrics to inform strategies and results.
• Ability to use good research procedures in historical searches of index and office files.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communications skills.