FOI Assistant

Freedom of Information Assistant

Regular Full-Time | Exempt

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is Surrey’s new municipal police agency. On November 29, 2024, SPS became the police of jurisdiction, and assumed responsibility and command for policing and law enforcement in Surrey. SPS is working to redefine policing with innovative new approaches and community-based solutions. It’s an exciting time as SPS continues to expand our team with talented people who want to help shape the future of policing in Surrey. To date we’ve hired over 550 police officers and over 450 civilian support staff and will grow to be one of the largest independent police services in Canada. Since day one, SPS has been intentional about building a culture that is inclusive, respectful and supportive, with a strong focus on employee wellness and career development.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Surrey Police Service (SPS) has an exciting opportunity for a Freedom of Information (FOI) Assistant to join our Legal Services Section, within the Office of the Chief Constable. Reporting to the Manager, Information, Privacy and Disclosure, the incumbent will provide specialized and technical clerical work concerning compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). The incumbent receives, reviews, clarifies, and confirms all requests for access to information. They will also be responsible for gathering and organizing records as well as prioritizing workload to ensure requests are fulfilled within legislated timelines.

The successful candidate will be familiar with statutory requirements under FIPPA and be equipped with knowledge of best practices, principles, and processes applicable to FOI and privacy in local government. The incumbent will showcase ability to conduct preliminary review of requests to determine if they are routinely releasable or should be formally processed under FIPPA. They will demonstrate excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills in conveying information regarding FIPPA related issues.

The candidate will have sound analytical and research skills with an ability to exercise resourcefulness in dealing with a variety of situations. The candidate will have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external contacts. They will be able to handle confidential and sensitive information while exercising persuasiveness in dealing with contentious matters. The ability to work independently, take initiative and exercise good judgment is required for this role.

Schedule / Hours of Work

This is an on-site position and the anticipated schedule for this position is Monday to Friday (7.5 hours per day and 37.5 hours per week). Please note, the hours are subject to change based on operational needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working closely with and supporting the FOI Analyst, provides support for the day-to-day management of SPS’ comprehensive FOI program as assigned.
• Reviews file material in detail for disclosure and the protection of privacy.
• Triages formal requests for records to various business units.
• Filing all electronic and hard copy documentation and maintain the SharePoint library for FOI and other approved systems.
• Advises senior staff of relevant issues and provides advise to other members of the Department in matters of collection, retention, and disclosure of information.
• Communicate with the FOI Analyst and Manager, Information Privacy and Disclosure, and Applicants to clarify information as required.
• Gather, organize, prepare records.
• Assists with reviewing records, ensuring adherence to legislated requirements as well as responsibilities to third parties are met.
• Prepares records for disclosure using systems such as Adobe Acrobat and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS)
• Refers requests for routine information to other business areas as required.
• Identifies and conducts training needs in relation to the disclosure of information, protection of privacy and FIPPA.
• Assist members of the public in seeking information about access to records and/or seeking access to their own personal information.
• Prepares and provides reports and statistical data relating to duties of the position.
• Ensures confidentiality is maintained in all matters through supervision and maintenance of confidential file systems.
• Prepares relevant correspondence, fee estimates and invoices and collects revenues as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Grade 12 supplemented by a diploma in a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience with FOI work.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and relevant computer-based applications, including word processing.
• Experience with PRIME, SharePoint, and Adobe is an asset.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.
• All applicants must obtain and maintain the required police security clearance throughout their employment with SPS, which includes a mandatory polygraph examination.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

Surrey Police Service offers a comprehensive benefits package, including extended health and dental coverage, a defined benefit pension through the Municipal Pension Plan, generous vacation entitlements, and ongoing professional development. Employees also benefit from short-term and long-term disability coverage, travel and life insurance, discounted access to City of Surrey recreation facilities, and a dedicated Employee Services team providing personal and family support. With a strong focus on well-being, career growth, and work-life balance, SPS is committed to fostering a supportive and rewarding workplace. Note – The aforementioned benefits only apply to eligible full-time positions within SPS.

• This is a union exempt position.

• The salary range is $74,041 - $87,107 (Pay Band A2) based on 2024 rates.

Applications must be submitted through our online Careers page. This posting will remain open until 11:55pm on April 17, 2026; however, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected.

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Thank you for your interest in working with SPS. We pride ourselves on hiring members that model the mission, vision, and values of SPS through unquestioned integrity and sustaining a visible, credible, inclusive, and respected profile.