Freedom Of Information Act Officer

Job Description - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OFFICER (420085)

Job Description

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OFFICER

420085

This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”

2. Enter your employee  (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Under general supervision, receives and responds to requests for information of public record, and court subpoenas using multiple resources and streams of data to research and locate relevant information, and speaks and writes about findings, and performs related duties as required .

• Responds to requests for information filed by citizens, journalists, and outside entities pursuant to the State of Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”)
• Works with staff to identify and collect responsive records, photocopy, and scan documents, and send electronically or via USPS, as required
• Researches, examines, and analyzes documents to provide responsive documents in response to FOIA requests and makes appropriate red actions of exempt information
• Resolves information requests within the required time frames and, where appropriate, requests extensions in writing
• Assesses whether the magnitude of information requested proves burdensome in adherence with the State of Illinois Freedom of Information guidelines
• Obtains necessary information from manual, computerized and archived files, and records
• Uses online system (GovQA) to maintain and update online log of all FOIA requests
• Provides verbal and written responses, via telephone, email, or online portal, to requests for information from the general public, businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies, and others regarding departmental programs, services or matters of public record, as required
• Works with the Department of Law to respond to subpoenas for documents
• May review information to be posted onto the intranet and internet websites for accuracy regarding departmental programs and services, as required
• May represent the department at public hearings and community meetings to explain and promote city services, programs, and upcoming events, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position.

• Certification by the State of Illinois as a Freedom of Information Officer is required, within six (6) months of hire

This position requires applicants to complete an interview.

The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, will be selected.

• Previous work experience working with online platforms to process information and maintain records
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Previous work experience at a government agency or municipality responding to FOIA requests
• Previous work experience in customer service or working with the general public

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following…