FOIA Specialist

Department: Ethics & Compliance

Work Location: Chattanooga, Knoxville, or Nashville, Tennessee; or Washington D.C.

Relocation: Relocation benefits are not offered for this position.

Posting Open: 02/18/2026

Posting Close: 02/24/2026 at 11:59 PM EST

Salary: Competitive

Processes all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from receipt to release of information and, as assigned, serves as FOIA officer for TVA. Responsible for assisting with FOIA compliance and reporting requirements to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Maintains the decision-making authority to release agency records under FOIA.

• Exhibits and promotes integrity, respect and authenticity in all interactions internal or external to TVA and in performance of assigned duties.
• Demonstrates strong collaboration, open-mindedness and partnership with teammates within and outside the TVA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) organization.
• Enhances and protects the TVA reputation and brand; builds understanding and support for the agency’s long-term strategy and enterprise priorities.
• Provides advice and counsel to executives and organizations agency-wide pertaining to FOIA and agency records; as assigned, serves as the TVA FOIA Officer.
• Applies laws, regulations, policies and guidance to provide access to agency records while ensuring protected information is not inappropriately disclosed, including ensuring proper handling of personally identifiable information while determining records to be released under FOIA. Ensures compliance with federal statutes when processing requests.
• Keeps abreast of recent developments in the field of public disclosure, including recent court decisions, current legislative resolutions, or problems encountered within FOIA programs and initiates process improvements.
• Responsible for assisting with the maintenance of TVA’s FOIA regulations and ensuring they are kept up to date with current law and guidance, identification of requirements for the automated FOIA request tracking system, and ensuring all data for general inquiry and annual reporting is available.
• Assists with Reviewing and analyzing appeals of initial FOIA determinations and providing recommendations to Chief FOIA Officer on final agency decision on release of records.
• Assists with developing data and preparing TVA’s FOIA annual report and the Chief FOIA Officer’s report to DOJ; the Information Quality and Bulletin for Peer Review annual report to OMB and other information related reports or data required by DOJ or Congress.
• Collaborates with TVA leaders and experts in legal, external relations and communications about potential high-risk FOIA requests, and shares recommendations for potential response and mitigation efforts.
• A self-starter who stays up to date on best practices, emerging trends and provides improvements to FOIA processes.
• Supports the Manager, Compliance and senior FOIA team members with the development of policies, procedures and practices defining TVA’s requirements and programs for compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, as needed.
• Fosters a culture of accountability, trust, collaboration, recognition, development and results among staff at all levels consistent with the short- and long-term objectives of the OGC organization.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration or Policy, Government, Business, or Law, or closely related discipline or equivalent experience. JD is desirable but not required.

Experience: 5 years of experience with FOIA, business, legal or equivalent field for a large corporate organization;
Experience in the electric utility industry is preferred.

• Must be fully knowledgeable of statutory requirements of FOIA, TVA’s FOIA regulations and responsibilities and the DOJ annual reporting requirements including the appeals process.
• Requires thorough knowledge and understanding of TVA’s programs, policies, records and operations, past and present.
• Excellent verbal, written and editorial communications skills.
• Ability to balance immediate and long-term…