PSA - FOIA OFFICER

Position Overview

Our agency is seeking a motivated attorney for a unique role. Under administrative direction of the General Counsel, this position serves as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer for the Department (DFPR) coordinating all Department and Division responses.  Receives FOIA requests and reviews for legal validity and scope of request.  Analyzes files, records, and regulatory material to obtain requested information, makes recommendations for responses, and assists with drafting responses.  Reviews Division responses to ensure consistency of responses.  Prepares drafts for certifications as needed to certify that said information is correct and presentable in a court of law.  Travels to various sites for hearings, internal and external meetings.

State of Illinois Benefits

Health, Life, vision, and dental insurance
12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
Pension Plan – Vesting at 10 years for Tier II
Full 20-year retirement awards free health insurance during retirement
Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
Paid state holidays, 12-14 days annually
3 paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually (10 days in year one of employment)
Personal, sick, and vacation rates modified for 12 hour work schedules (as applicable)
Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Functions

• Serves as Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) Officer for the Department (DFPR) coordinating all Department and Division responses. 
• Analyzes files, records, and regulatory material to obtain requested information, makes recommendations for responses and assists with drafting responses.  
• Utilizes judgment and discretion to limit the scope of document requests and avoid the disclosure of confidential information.  
• Conducts extensive, complex legal research and prepares drafts of legal positions on legal issues related to FOIA and other legal matters and performs legal review and analysis of existing and proposed administrative policies, procedures, and legislation to ensure compliance with the law.
• Prepares drafts for certifications as needed to certify that said information is correct and presentable in a court of law.  
• Serves as a liaison with government and industry representatives, members of the media, attorneys, and the public in providing information regarding DFPR under the FOIA and in relation to other Department legal matters.  
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires law degree and possession of a license to practice law in Illinois.  
• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.  
• Requires three years progressively responsible administrative experience in law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers, in the previous six years, at least two years’ experience regularly analyzing formal document requests, determining which requests must be honored and which are objectionable/exempt, composing written responses and objections/exemptions, and reviewing documents for responsiveness.
• Prefers, in the previous six years, at least two years’ experience in roles where a majority of the time was spent serving as a Freedom of Information Act Officer.
• Prefers, in the previous six years, at least two years’ experience regularly drafting written arguments advocating for legal positions with citation to law and facts.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to travel.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Agency Statement

IDFPR is a regulatory licensing and enforcement agency that protects the residents of Illinois, ensures the safety and soundness of financial institutions, ensures that competent professionals are licensed to provide services to the public, and enhances commerce in the state for the benefit of all its residents.