FOI Coordinator (Administrative Asst.)

Full Job Description

Under general supervision, the FOI Coordinator provides administrative support to the Freedom of Information Office and assists the Freedom of Information Director with special projects. Responsible for all aspects of responding to assigned Freedom of Information requests pursuant to applicable law, policy and procedures. In the absence of the FOI Director will assign requests, attend meetings, and perform other necessary functions.

Job Duties:

FOI Request Processing/Correspondence – Processes assigned FOI requests from start to finish.

FOI request process steps include, but are not limited to, acknowledging requests, reviewing request, researching requests, communicating with requestor to confirm scope and subject of request, communicating with program staff to identify and obtain responsive documents, sending correspondence, retrieving responsive documents, copying/scanning/redacting/preparing and sending responsive documents, closing FOI requests, and documenting all aspects of the process.

Research-Conducts research to ensure all documents responsive to the FOI request are identified. Document Collection,

Review, Redaction and Preparation – Collects all identified documents responsive to FOI request. Reviews documents to determine if there is information exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

Redacts confidential or protected information and communicates to the client the reason the information is redacted.

Prepares documents for electronic imaging and maintains a copy of all responsive documents in electronic filing system.

General Administrative Support - Maintains accurate time records for all billable activity and assists with billing and collection efforts in the FOI office. Anwers phone, assists clients, copies/scans documents and provides other administrative support to the FOI office.

Other duties as required.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and 4 years of advanced clerical experience in a high-volume, fast-paced office environment.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application are encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency will require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Must have valid state driver's license, and ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills and professional telephone etiquette.
• Ability to communicate well with the public, government officials and other professionals.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both externally and internally.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to write, review and edit professional correspondence for usage, grammar and spelling.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks and priorities.

Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate is preferred.

Additional Information

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
• Remote Work: The option to work remotely 2 days per week is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with SCDES, based on job functions.

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.