Temporary Public Disclosure Analyst

Note: This role is a Temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of June, 15 2027. The anticipated end date is subject to departmental and budgetary considerations.

Analyze, process, and respond to public records requests submitted to the City in compliance with state law, Model Rules adopted by the State Attorney General, and the City's ordinances and rules. Coordinate with the Public Records Officer and the City Attorney's Office in evaluating whether any record or part of a record is exempt, redacting records, and preparing appropriate redaction and exemption logs.
 
Principal Accountabilities:

• Coordinate timely and appropriate responses to public disclosures requests received by the City.
• Maintain information tracking log, documentation, and statistics to substantiate compliance with Public Records Act requirements, the Model Rules, Kirkland Municipal Code, and Kirkland Public Records Act Rules.
• Administer the public disclosure software used for on-line requests and tracking.
• Provide training on public records compliance; consult with/direct City employees on the requirements of the Public Records Act and applicable City Code and rules.

 
Essential Functions:
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Communicate with requesters in order to provide "fullest assistance" to and "most timely possible action" on public disclosure requests, including clarifying and prioritizing elements of the requests, estimating reasonable timeframes for response, and memorializing the communications in writing. Prepare response letters to requestors; schedule appointments for review of records; oversee review of records; and respond to questions related to the City's public records ordinance and rules including the appeal process and closure of requests.
• Provide preliminary research on location of responsive records, and collaborate with departments on production of records responsive to requests. Establish timeframes for responses. Coordinate assembly of multi-departmental responses.
• Review collected records to ensure they are responsive and complete according to the request submitted to the City.
• Conduct research and analysis to determine if collected records are exempt from production in whole or in part, and coordinate with the City Attorney's Office for reviews of records, or portions of records, determined to be exempt. Redact exempt information from responsive records.
• Develop and maintain a variety of performance measures documenting volumes and complexity of requests and work effort required to comply with state law, policies and procedures.
• Provide routine updates on the status of requests and performance measures to Public Records Steering Team.
• Assist the City Attorney's Office in establishing/maintaining legal holds and collecting records in all media in response to litigation discovery requests.

 
Peripheral Duties:

• Provide backup for other City Clerk's Office functions as needed.
• Perform special projects in support of the City Clerk, City Attorney, and/or Director of Finance and Administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Why Kirkland?

• Experience with public disclosure, litigation discovery, or records management preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Experience working within a complex records/information environment involving application and interpretation of rules, regulations, and policies.
• Experience in analyzing large volumes of complex information under strict legal deadlines. Must be able to manage multiple public records requests simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound decision making when handling sensitive documents.
• Ability to conduct document and file searches in electronic and paper document filing systems.   Ability to work with technical staff to access records in electronic file formats from various storage systems.
• Must be detail oriented and customer service focused.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the Public Records Act and Attorney General's Model Rules.
• Ability to document information research, practices, and resources.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple and competing deadlines and priorities, organize and manage workload, and make decisions necessary to respond to information requests in an expeditious manner.
• Ability to work cooperatively and respectfully with the public and staff.
• Working knowledge of and demonstrated skill in the use of Microsoft: Office applications. Experience with electronic records or public disclosure systems is preferred.
• Able to develop and deliver training to department staff on public records compliance and records retention, including Kirkland public records ordinance and rules.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as part of a team.

Minimum Qualifications: 
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent progressively responsible work experience in a position with similar duties in a legal setting or public agency environment, or similar, related experience.
 
Certificate in Paralegal Studies highly desirable.Working Conditions:
Perform work in an office environment. Prolonged periods of sitting and computer keyboard entry are a routine part of this job.

Position requires a resume and cover letter noting how you meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of application. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail.  Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled with first review of applicants by 15th day of posting.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings.  Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.