FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OFFICER

BID/JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) OFFICER

Chicago Fire Department

Office of the Fire Commissioner

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $66,612

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) - BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

BID INSTRUCTIONS: Apply on the bid site: https://chicago.taleo.net/careersection/103/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en AND

1. Check the box on your profile titled "Currently employed by the City of Chicago"

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled 'payee/employee number')

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION

Please note, all posted positions with the City of Chicago close promptly at 11:59 pm C.S.T. Applications for this position will be accepted from February 24, 2025, until 11:59 pm CST on March 10, 2025. No exceptions will be made.

Under general supervision, receives and responds to requests for information of public record, and court subpoenas using multiple resources and streams of data to research and locate relevant information, and speaks and writes about findings, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Responds to requests for information filed by citizens, journalists, and outside entities pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA")
• Responds verbally and in writing to inquiries from the general public, business establishments, community organizations, media, and government agencies regarding City programs, services, and business matters of public record
• Researches, examines, and analyzes video and documents to provide responsive documents in response to FOIA requests and makes appropriate redactions of exempt information
• Resolves information requests within the required timeframes and where appropriate, requests extensions in writing
• Assesses whether the magnitude of information requested proves burdensome in adherence with the State of Illinois Freedom of Information guidelines
• Obtains necessary information from manual, computerized, and archived files, and records
• Responds via the internet in writing to requests for information sent electronically through the internet concerning departmental programs, services, or matters of public record, as required
• Oversees and participates in the mailing of responses to written requests for information
• Trains and orientates clerical and administrative staff to track down information, redact exempt information from public documents, photocopy, and scan documents, as required
• Prepares and maintains statistical and narrative work activity reports
• Maintains and updates log of all FOIA requests
• Works across all internal departments and other city agencies to fulfill FOIA requests when necessary
• May review information to be posted onto the intranet and internet websites for accuracy regarding departmental programs and services, as required
• May represent the department at public hearings and community meetings to explain and promote city services, programs, and upcoming events, as required

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 3510 S Michigan

Days: Monday-Friday

Hours: 9AM-5PM

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or a directly related field, plus two years of research and analysis work experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

NOTE: Certification by the State of Illinois as a Freedom of Information Act Officer is required within 6 months of hire

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral interview, will be selected for hire.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous experience processing FOIA requests
• Previous experience performing office administration duties
• Previous customer service experience
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to read, write and speak any language other than English

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor