Executive Correspondence & FOIA Management

Deputy Director - Correspondence And FOIA Management 

Executive Correspondence 

Manages and controls correspondence addressed to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Associate Deputy Secretary, and Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs. To accomplish this oversight role, the Office:

• Reviews incoming correspondence and assigns preparation of responses to the proper Departmental office, coordinates writing and review of correspondence, and determines the signature and clearance levels required for each response.

• Reviews and coordinates letters and other documents, including reports, memoranda of agreement, and internal memoranda initiated for signiture by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Associate Deputy Secretary, or Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs.

• Develops and enforces quality standards for all letters and documents signed by the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Associate Deputy Secretary, or Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs.

• Ensures that outgoing correspondence accurately reflects Departmental policy and incorporates relevant bureau and office positions.

• Responds to inquiries and requests from the White House, congressional offices, other Federal agencies, state and local governments, constituent groups, and the general public on a wide variety of Interior activities.

• Provides technical assistance and training to bureaus and offices in correspondence management.

• Prepares a weekly report of overdue correspondence and projected due dates.

• Revises the Departmental Correspondence Manual.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Management

Oversees the operations of the Department's FOIA Policy Office and the Office of the Secretary FOIA Office.  To accomplish this oversight role, the Office:

• Assures overall compliance with the FOIA operations, policies, and procedures in the Department’s 13 bureaus and offices that are responsible for receiving and responding to FOIA requests and for administering their own FOIA programs.

• Develops procedures, training materials, written instructions, and guidance that relate to implementation of the FOIA along with policies and regulations for Department-wide FOIA implementation.

• Reviews all bureau/office FOIA procedures before they are distributed, released, issued, or presented. 

• Provides program oversight, technical assistance, and FOIA training to Department employees.

• Monitors the number of FOIA requests that have not been responded to within the statutory time frame (backlog) through monthly and quarterly reporting.

• Prepares the Department’s annual report to the Department of Justice and Congress.