FOIA Coordinator - Village of Tinley Park, IL : Job Details

Salary: $77,198.00 - $108,078.00 AnnuallyLocation : Tinley Park, ILJob Type: Full-Time (40 Hours)Job Number: 2024-00168Department: Village Manager's OfficeOpening Date: 01/15/2025Closing Date: 2/14/2025 5:00 PM CentralResidency Requirement:: All full-time employees in this position are required to reside within 30 miles from any border of Tinley Park within 12 months of employment date. Residency in Indiana is not permitted. Opportunity at a Glance The Village of Tinley Park is a vibrant, progressive community located in the fast-growing Interstate 80 corridor in southwest suburban Chicago. As the 14th-largest city in Metropolitan Chicago boasting a residential population of 56,000 residents and nearly 1,000 businesses, this exceptional community possesses everything from a fun and lively Downtown district to flourishing residential neighborhoods to thriving corporate, commercial and entertainment centers, all tied together under Tinley Park's Life Amplified brand. We currently seek a talented & motivated individual to join the Village Manager's office in the role of FOIA Coordinator to receive, review, and coordinate the compilation of public records subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines, laws, policies, procedures, regulations, and statutes governing the flow of information related to Village of Tinley Park records. Key Responsibilities The FOIA Coordinator will oversees the non-police FOIA requests for public records and work closely with the Police Records Division Supervisor to coordinate oversight of police FOIA requests. Maintains the FOIA database managing incoming requests, assigns requests to appropriate staff, coordinates with Information Technology staff for the retrieval of electronically stored information, and monitors status of each request. Will process FOIA requests received and verify compliance, from initial evaluation to final document release, or denial within required deadlines, to include receiving, logging, tasking, case management, processing, monitoring, redacting, reviewing, and recommending information to be released. Answers questions and provides information to FOIA requesters as needed to address scope, cost, and any other issues associated with requests in order to satisfy all statutory and regulatory timeframes and other requirements for compilation of public records.This position serves as liaison to departments to provide advice and guidance, ensures all public records are redacted in accordance with the FOIA, and identifies if any exemption are applicable. Reviews records to ensure responses are complete, and prepares response letters and provides information timely to requestors in accordance with applicable deadlines, laws, policies, procedures, and statutes. Will work closely with the Village Attorney to research and analyze legal issues that arise in conjunction with handling complex initial requests for agency records as well as provide task direction and examine files prepared by others to determine accuracy and sufficiency of evidence and documentation.Additionally, the position will collaborate and coordinate with liaisons within Village departments on FOIA and compliance matters to include requests, appeals, and litigation. They will conduct regular training for all Village FOIA department liaisons, maintain all FOIA and compliance related forms and records, prepare reports, correspondence, notices, and collect and deposit fees relating to FOIA requests.Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills A Bachelor's Degree in a related field and/or a Paralegal Certificate is required. A minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of work experience that requires the review and consideration of statutes, regulations, constitutional provisions, or any combination of experience is required. Knowledge of the general provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140) and the Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120) is required. A minimum of one (1) year of law school is strongly preferred. Experience working in a previous FOIA and compliance role, particularly in the public sector, is also preferred. The Village of Tinley Park offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, and vision benefits, employer-paid life insurance and other ancillary benefit options. Retirement benefits through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) are provided along with the option to participate in a 457(b) deferred compensation plan. In addition, paid holiday, vacation, personal, and sick days are provided.