Project Manager - FOIA & Legal Supports

Position Summary

A Project Manager for FOIA & Legal Supports (Project Manager) will serve as the FOIA Coordinator and be responsible for handling, processing and managing the information requests received by Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

As it relates to FOIA, a Project Manager will:

• timely receive, review, analyze and respond to FOIA requests/appeals;
• work directly with senior-level Cabinet members (or designees) to procure information;
• in consultation with the attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, review and redact responsive information and draft responses;
• and interface with the public (i.e., individuals/group external to the school district).

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required from an accredited college or university (Preferred). Masters or other advanced degree from accredited college or university (Preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of: 4+ years of experience in project management or equivalent work; 1 to 2 years of experiences as a judicial law clerk; 1 to 2 years of experience as a paralegal in a law firm, corporate or governmental legal department with emphasis on statutory construction or policy work; or 1 or more years of experience with FOIA or statutory work.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word and Excel (Required).
• Experience with Michigan's Freedom of Information Act and other statutory compliance (Strongly Preferred).
• Experience working in a court, urban public school district or large/complex organizational setting.
• Experience with editing, formatting and processing legal documents (Preferred).

Essential Functions

• Receive FOIA requests, procure and review responsive documents and prepare/transmit FOIA responses and appeals.
• Maintain ongoing communications with departments and public regarding FOIA requests and responses.
• Gather and assemble information.
• Create FOIA reports and other legal reports as scheduled.
• Aid with drafting, editing and managing OGC administrative guidelines.
• Manage process of tracking OGC performance metrics.
• Create written products including but not limited to PowerPoint presentations, official memoranda, letters, etc.
• Use several software applications (e.g., databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishers, etc.) to complete assignments professionally.
• Interface with internal and external individuals.
• Provide support and work closely with the OGC Office Manager on varied tasks.
• Provide support to members of the Office of the General Counsel.
• Fulfill other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the General Counsel (or Designee).