Public Information Act Compliance Supervisor

The Public Information Act Compliance Supervisor oversees the daily operations of the Open Records Unit (ORU) within the Legal Division of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). This position is responsible for supervising the work of the ORU staff who receive, track, review, coordinate, redact, and respond to requests for public information under the Texas Public Information Act, confidentiality laws, law-enforcement records requirements, and agency policies.

The Public Information Act Compliance Supervisor ensures that public information requests are processed accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner; reviews staff work for completeness, quality, legal sensitivity, confidentiality concerns, appropriate red actions, and compliance with required deadlines; coordinates with divisions across HCSO to obtain responsive records; and escalates matters requiring supervisory review.

This position requires advanced knowledge of public information laws, confidentiality requirements, and open-government compliance. The position does not independently provide legal advice or represent the agency in legal matters.

• Supervises the daily workflow of ORU.
• Assigns, prioritizes, monitors, and reviews public information requests to ensure timely and accurate processing.
• Independently handles public information requests.
• Provides training, guidance, and quality control to ORU staff regarding intake, tracking, records collection, redaction, response preparation, documentation, and closeout of requests.
• Reviews incoming requests to determine scope, complexity, urgency, assigned responsibility, and whether clarification from the requestor may be needed.
• Ensures requests are tracked accurately and processed in compliance with applicable deadlines, statutory requirements, agency procedures, and Legal Division standards.
• Reviews proposed releases, red actions, and withholding recommendations for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and compliance with applicable confidentiality requirements and public information laws.
• Identifies requests involving sensitive, confidential, and protected records.
• Escalates complex legal issues, disputed releases, potential exceptions, or requests requiring supervisory decision or further review within the Legal Division.
• Coordinates with internal divisions, commands, units, and record custodians to identify, locate, collect, and review responsive records.
• Ensures appropriate documentation is maintained for each request, including communications, clarifications, searches conducted, records received, red actions applied, exceptions considered, deadlines, and final responses.
• Reviews and approves draft correspondence to requestors, including clarification letters, cost estimates, status updates, release notifications, and other routine Open Records communications.
• Ensures consistent application of redaction protocols, confidentiality markings, release standards, and record-handling procedures across ORU.
• Monitors workload, request volume, aging requests, backlog, performance measures, and compliance trends.
• Prepares reports, metrics, and status updates regarding ORU activity, pending requests, response times, backlog, staffing needs, and operational concerns.
• Develops, updates, and maintains unit procedures, templates, checklists, tracking tools, training materials, and quality‑control standards.
• Provides guidance to agency personnel regarding ORU procedures, records searches, responsive record identification, and proper routing of public information requests.
• Assists with implementation and improvement of records request management systems, redaction tools, tracking processes, and electronic records workflows.
• Handles highly confidential and sensitive information with discretion, professionalism, and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
• Supports Legal Division leadership in evaluating operational needs, staffing levels, process improvements, and risk areas related to public information requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope and responsibility of the position.

This job description is not intended to cover or provide a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

One of the following pathways must be met:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and five (5) years of verifiable…