FOIA Support

NOTE: We are seeking applicants for this position prospectively, which is dependent on award of contract.

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact Ocean Associates at 703-388-9548 to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) is seeking an applicant to provide Freedom Of information Act (FIOA) support to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of the Assistant Administrator OAA) in Silver Spring, MD. OAI is a Virginia corporation established in 2003 that provides consulting and technical services to the U.S. government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and the private sector. We specialize in scientific program and project management, strategic planning, professional and technical services, and stakeholder engagement, supporting government contracts.

Background

 NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), also known as NOAA Fisheries, is responsible for the stewardship, conservation, and management of the Nation’s living marine resources and their habitats. NMFS supports sustainable fisheries, protected species recovery, healthy marine ecosystems, safe seafood, and science-based decision-making. 

The NMFS Office of the Assistant Administrator (OAA) provides executive leadership and coordination for regulatory, scientific, communications, operational, human capital, aquaculture, policy, and equal employment opportunity activities. OAA requires professional administrative and analytical support to maintain timely, secure, accurate, and accessible operations across its executive and mission support functions. 

 Tasks 

 Provide administrative, analytical, and records-processing support for NMFS OAA FOIA activities. All FOIA work shall be performed using Government-approved procedures, templates, systems, and instructions. 

FOIA Intake, Tracking, and Case Management

• Review incoming FOIA requests for completeness and identify missing information, clarification needs, scope issues, deadlines, tolling events, consultation needs, and routing considerations for Government review. 
• Create and update FOIA case records in approved Government systems, such as FOIA Online, Clearwell, successor eDiscovery platforms, or other systems designated by the COR. 
• Maintain a FOIA tracking dashboard that identifies case number, requestor, date received, due date, current owner, status, risks, next action, dependencies, and target completion date. 
• Monitor case progress and alert the COR before cases approach statutory or internal due dates, backlog risk, or resource bottlenecks. 

Records Collection, Processing, and Review Support 

• Collect responsive records from subject matter experts and coordinators and place them in the approved staging area or system of record. 
• Import, export, sort, organize, format, de-duplicate, and tag records using Government-approved categories and instructions. 
• Perform first-pass review of records for responsiveness, duplicate status, consultation needs, sensitivity indicators, and potential redaction areas for Government review. 
• Prepare draft redaction recommendations and draft release packages for Government and Office of General Counsel (OGC) review. Contractor recommendations shall not constitute final agency determinations. 
• Perform quality control checks on records packages, including file format, pagination, search completeness, tagging consistency, redaction integrity, and packaging completeness. 

Coordination and Communication Support 

• Prepare weekly taskers for subject matter experts, including records requested, due dates, instructions, reminders, and status summaries. 
• Prepare draft correspondence, status updates, reports, briefings, and response materials for Government review and approval. 
• Support Government communications with requestors to clarify or narrow requests and provide status information when authorized by the COR. 
• Coordinate administrative package routing with OGC, track OGC comments, and incorporate Government-approved edits. 

FOIA Reporting and Improvement Support 

• Prepare monthly and annual FOIA status reports, including caseload, aging, backlog risks, completed actions, pending SME actions, and process improvement recommendations. 
• Identify recurring bottlenecks, data quality issues, and workflow improvement opportunities and propose practical corrective actions for Government consideration. 
• Develop or update desk guides, checklists, templates, and written instructions for FOIA record review processes when requested by the COR. 

Start Date: Contingent upon award of contract.

Location: NMFS Headquarters. 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telework or remote support may be possible when authorized.

Travel: Travel is not anticipated as a routine requirement but may be authorized when necessary.

Salary and Benefits: This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary, commensurate with experience, between $25.00 - $45.00 per hour.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of experience, or a Master’s degree, from an accredited college or university 
• Demonstrated experience supporting FOIA processes, records review, records organization, tagging, de-duplication, redaction support, status reporting 
• Experience using Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Clearwell/eDiscovery tools, or comparable platforms. 
• Ability to prepare clear written and verbal instructions for record reviewers. 
• Personnel shall possess strong written and oral communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, electronic file management, calendars, spreadsheets, and approved collaboration tools; and the ability to learn NOAA/DOC systems and procedures quickly. 

If you are interested in being considered for this position, please APPLY THROUGH OUR ADP WEB PORTAL, AT THE LINK AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE.

Only qualified applicants that meet minimum experience or background requirements stated above need apply. When applying for this position you will be asked to upload your resume at the end of this online application.

Applicants should submit a resume that includes the following:

• Cover letter that briefly describes how you meet the required and preferred qualifications listed.
• Work history for past 10 years or since last full-time education.
• Education.
• Previous experience or training with similar requirements.
• Three professional references. 
• Include your name in the document file name.
• Upload your resume in readable, not scanned, PDF or Word format (PDF is preferred). 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire, and successfully complete a federal government background check. OAI does not discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. 

OAI is a government contractor and is required by law to invite applicants to voluntarily self-identify their disability status and veteran status. OAI's online application includes check boxes to either voluntarily self identify or decline to self identify. While the information is collected through your application, it is collected anonymously and is not connected to your application. OAI uses the information it collects to track its disability and veteran hiring progress, and to meet its obligations under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and under VEVRAA. 

Note: If you are not selected, your materials may be retained for present or future opportunities. We may use your resume in bidding on a project and if we are awarded the work, we will contact you before seeking further applicants. If you do not wish us to retain or use your resume to seek work for you, please let us know in the "Notes" section on the second page of the online application.