FOIA Scientific Program Manager

Overview
Axle is seeking a highly ambitious, adaptable, structured, and detail-oriented FOIA Scientific Program Manager to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Director (OD), Office of Science Management and Operations (OSMO).

Technical Requirements:

• Research, analyze and evaluate data for information request responses, write final response letters with no redactions or with routine applicable exemption. 

• Apply knowledge of the FOIA, the Privacy Act, DHHS FOIA Regulations, NIH policy and court decisions to review requests for information, determine the appropriateness of the release and review and make recommendations regarding appeals.

• Independently process FOIA requests, including correspondence, memoranda, and redacting documents.

• Refer FOIA and PA requests to the appropriate NIAID or IC Service Center client divisions and offices for response documents.

• Consult with members of the public, attorneys, congressional staffers, NIAID management and NIH intramural or extramural staff to resolve requests for sensitive documents which may involve proprietary commercial and financial information, invasions of personal privacy, ongoing investigations, or pre-decision and deliberative material.

• Draft memoranda for NIH OD FOIA Office proposing a final determination on requests denied in part or full.

• Conduct research on relevant disclosure laws, regulations, policies, and precedents in order to reach conclusions regarding the release of requested information, and document results.

• Review documents and responses to ensure compliance with the Acts and the regulations and policies issued pursuant to them.

• Consult with the DHHS FOI Office and the Office of General Counsel in reviewing and arriving at recommendations regarding requests involving administrative appeals.

• Review appeals for non-release of information or fees charged under the FOIA.

• Evaluate appeals considering applicable laws, regulations, and or additional justifications provided by the requester.

• Recommend approval or disapproval of the appeal and write responses to the HHS FOIA Officer who decides administrative appeals. 

• Coordinate information requests with other offices; maintain a record of information in case file as appropriate.

• Analyze regulations, case decisions, policies and procedures to determine whether private or confidential information can be released; draft memoranda based on findings.

• Participate in meetings and discussions with attorneys on how best to respond to lawsuits over information requests via phone and electronic correspondence.

• Analyze and provide written analyses of new regulations to determine their impact on existing policies and procedures.

• Use automated tracking systems to monitor requests for confidential information to ensure their timely resolution; extract information from multiple sources for use in writing reports.

• Respond to inquiries for the formal release of documents.

• Negotiate informal agreements and support formal agreements to resolve conflicts between the requesters and providers of information; determine what is needed by a requester and assist the requester in formulating a request that will satisfy the requesters information needs.

• Communicate with consumers, the public or special interest groups on behalf of NIAID.

Specific Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in governmental affairs, public policy, or a related field.

• The candidate should have extensive knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.

• The candidate should possess strong oral and written communication skills, and should have extensive experience with policy briefs and writing.