FOIA Consultant III

AST is looking for a FOIA Consultant III to work in Bethesda, MD.  To join our team of outstanding professionals, apply today!

The FOIA Consultant III serves as a senior member of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) program team, providing expert-level support in the review, analysis, redaction, and release of responsive records. This position functions as both a senior disclosure specialist and a team lead responsible for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance of FOIA responses in accordance with statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements.

The FOIA Consultant III will oversee and mentor FOIA staff, coordinate workflow, and serve as a key liaison working closely with the Program Manager and Government COR to ensure program success. This role requires a deep understanding of FOIA operations, strong analytical and leadership skills, and the ability to balance quality, compliance, and productivity in a high-volume environment.  Familiarity or prior experience with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or its components is a plus.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as the team lead, providing guidance, quality review, and mentorship to FOIA staff.
• Coordinate daily task assignments, monitor workloads, and ensure timely completion of disclosure requests.
• Work closely with the Program Manager and Government COR to communicate project status, identify risks, and implement process improvements.
• Support onboarding, training, and continuous development of FOIA team members.

Disclosure Review & Analysis

• Review FOIA requests to determine appropriate actions and statutory response deadlines.
• Conduct detailed searches, analysis, and processing of records responsive to FOIA requests.
• Apply FOIA exemptions and prepare recommendations for redactions and release determinations.
• Evaluate and analyze disclosure requests to ensure consistency and compliance with applicable regulations.
• Support complex or sensitive case reviews requiring subject-matter expertise or interagency coordination.

Redaction & Disclosure Processing

• Redact and prepare records for release using Adobe Acrobat Pro or other approved tools.
• Apply FOIA and Privacy Act exemptions accurately to protect sensitive or exempt information.
• Prepare Vaughn indices and litigation support materials as needed.
• Ensure all released records meet agency standards for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

Communication & Correspondence

• Draft professional correspondence and responses on behalf of the agency.
• Communicate with requesters, stakeholders, and internal program offices to clarify requests and provide updates.
• Represent the FOIA program in meetings, briefings, or coordination sessions with internal and external stakeholders.

Compliance, Reporting & Quality Assurance

• Ensure team outputs comply with FOIA, Privacy Act, the E-Gov Act, and agency-specific guidance.
• Monitor progress toward performance metrics, including backlog reduction and timeliness goals.
• Maintain accurate records and data entry in FOIA tracking systems.
• Support reporting and data calls for program leadership and oversight entities.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs, Legal Studies, Information Science, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in FOIA processing, disclosure review, or information management.
• Proven experience in a senior or lead FOIA role, supervising or mentoring other staff.
• Strong working knowledge of FOIA statutes, the Privacy Act, and related case law.
• Experience supporting federal agencies or working in a regulated environment; prior HHS experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro and electronic redaction software.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deliver under tight deadlines, and ensure team accountability for quality and compliance.

Work Where it Matters

Akima Secure Technologies (AST), an Akima company, is not just another federal facilities contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.

At AST, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iñupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.

For our shareholders, AST provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.

For our government customers, AST’s capabilities provide agile, innovative, and trusted information technology solutions to achieve, maintain and advance functionality, efficiency, security, and compliance.

As an AST employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.