Jasmine Middlebrooks
Hughesville
Summary
Exceptional FOIA processor responsible for processing, reviewing, and analyzing FOIA requests by exercising discretion and judgment in the application of laws, regulations, and agency practices. In addition, researching case laws, analyzes a variety of records, and ensures release and disclosure of responsive records adhere to applicable exemptions. The incumbent liaisons with offices within the organization to provide advice and guidance on FOIA matters to facilitate responses to requesters and scope clarification from requestors as needed.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Government Information Specialist (FOIA)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
03.2016 - Current
- Ensure privacy policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in compliance with federal laws, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Justice (DOJ) governing the flow of information.
- Abide by rules, regulations, and policies ensuring each FOIA request provides sufficient information under mandated timeframes/deadlines.
- Evaluate confidential personal records.
- Use automated systems in accordance with provisions of the FOIA.
- Use initiative in conducting assignments independently without specific instructions and supervision.
- Apply knowledge and skills conducting FOIA requests to implement programs, plans, and proposals.
- Conduct office trainings on traveler requests.
- Participate in trainings and conferences to strengthen skills and knowledge to stay abreast and compliant with FOIA rules, regulations, and procedures for day to day operation.
- Assist in ensuring correct and complete responsiveness to each FOIA request.
- Conduct on average 400+ FOIA request searches weekly.
- Perform record searches on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and upload responsive records to FOIAonline and SecureRelease (CBP's official FOIA tracking system).
- Identify and query reports appropriate to the request type.
- Redact FOIA requests with appropriate exemptions pertaining to each request.
- Conduct training to new interns on perfecting, E3 searches, applying appropriate redaction code, and closing FOIA requests when needed.
- Assist with special projects and training students on various procedures/process in the FOIA division while completing daily duties and responsibilities.
- Assist with reducing the backlog request during the OT Project, during the OT Project I worked or various Non-Traveler cases such as Import/Export and Commercial cases which strengthen my knowledge with b6b7 exemptions and where to use and apply the exemptions.
- Process new FOIA requests and triage them to ensure they are sufficient by conducting record searches and reviewing, organizing and analyzing search results and applying lawful exemptions and redacting responsive records.
- Provide information on FOIA and CBP FOIA procedures and processes to employees and FOIA requesters.
- Assist FOIA specialists in implementing privacy policies and procedures.
- Review and redact sensitive law enforcement records, including audio and video footage through Visual Labs (FastRedaction) and Axon (Evidence) to fulfill incoming requests.
- Track and report requests and releases that are significant to the agency including CBP component offices of responsive records.
- Process various complex requests.
Student Trainee (FOIA)
US Customs and Borders Protection
06.2014 - 03.2016
- Ensured privacy policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in compliance with federal laws governing the flow of information.
- Abided by rules, regulations, and policies ensuring each FOIA request provides sufficient information.
- Evaluated confidential personal records.
- Used automated systems in accordance with provisions of the FOIA.
- Used initiative in conducting assignments independently without specific instructions and supervision.
- Used basic knowledge and skills conducting FOIA requests.
- Assisted in ensuring correct and complete responsiveness to each FOIA request.
- Conducted on average 325+ FOIA request searches weekly.
- Conducted over 20,000+ FOIA request searches (July-February).
- Performed record searches on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and upload responsive records to FOIAonline (CBP's official FOIA tracking system).
- Identified and query reports appropriate to the request type.
- Perfected new incoming FOIAs and close insufficient FOIAs in accordance with standard operating procedures.
- Transferred FOIAs to United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) if they meet requirements set forth in service agreement between CBP and USCIS.
- Examined the requests to determine case type to perfect the requests in accordance to the standard operating procedures (SOP).
- Redacted FOIA requests with appropriate exemptions pertaining to each request.
- Redacted over 700 FOIA requests.
- Redacted 150 cases or more weekly.
- Conducted training to new interns on perfecting and closing out FOIA requests.
- Assisted new interns with applying appropriate redaction codes.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology- Applied Behavorial Analysis
Ashford University
San Diego, CA10-2019
Certificate - General Studies
College of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD06-2016
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Bowie State University
Bowie, MD05-2015
Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Abode Professional
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Visual Basics
- Technical skills
- Strong verbal communication
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing
- Multitasking
- Organization
- Interpersonal skills
- Initiative and problem-solving abilities
- Dependability
Timeline
Government Information Specialist (FOIA)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
03.2016 - Current
Student Trainee (FOIA)
US Customs and Borders Protection
06.2014 - 03.2016
Master of Arts - Psychology- Applied Behavorial Analysis
Ashford University
Certificate - General Studies
College of Southern Maryland
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Bowie State University
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