Ramona Branch Oliver
Summary
Recognized access professional with expert knowledge on the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Federal Records Act. Extensive experience in planning, managing and implementing efficient protocols to promote effective program oversight. Proven leader with the ability to promote innovation, allocate resources to establish and meet organizational goals and produce high quality results. Frequent lecturer on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Privacy Act and records management.Utilizes Advanced techniques to streamline processes and enhance data accessibility. Knowledge of modern information systems and technologies to support organizational objectives.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisory Government Information Specialist (GS-0306-15), Director, Office of Information Services (OIS)
U.S. Department of Labor
06.2010 - Current
- Serves as a recognized authority and senior advisor on the management and administration of the Department's FOIA and Privacy Act programs in support of the statutory mandates assigned to the Solicitor of Labor who also serves as DOL's designated Chief FOIA Officer.
- Develops, monitors and promotes compliance with established long and short-term strategic planning goals to facilitate the achievement of the Agency's mission as it relates to the effective implementation of FOIA, to improve performance consistent with statutory mandates, guidance from the Department of Justice, DOL's Financial and Accountability Scorecard and related internal performance measures and milestones.
- Serves as a subject area expert providing oversight, technical advice, and central administrative support and management oversight to each of DOL's 23 free standing FOIA components as they process initial requests submitted under the provisions of the FOIA and/or the Privacy Act.
- Provides advice, guidance, and training to DOL's senior management, FOIA coordinators within DOL's agency components and other program officials to ensure compliance with the FOIA, Privacy Act, departmental regulations, internal policies and administration level issuances associated with these Acts.
- Establishes smart goals and adopts enterprise risk management to encourage a culture among staff that identifies and liberally discusses organizational risks; and utilizes it to support optimal strategic and organizational planning to recommend monthly, quarterly and fiscal year goals to the Chief FOIA Officer and other departmental officials.
- Communicates risks related to established or prospective performance indicators to leadership and alerts superiors of opportunities and best practices that can affect the ability of the agency to achieve its goals and objectives as they relate to carrying out statutory responsibilities for ensuring DOL's efficient and appropriate compliance with the FOIA.
- Evaluates, recommends and implements protocols aimed at improving FOIA administrative processes across DOL to enhance the effectiveness of DOL's FOIA program, including promoting timely and complete responses to FOIA requests, reducing FOIA backlogs, and increasing affirmative disclosures.
- Provides leadership and promotes transparency by updating agency regulations and establishing standard operating procedures based on changes to the law or policy guidance issued by the Department of Justice.
- Establishes yearly work plans and program goals and objectives as part of the effective management of the Office of Information Services (OIS), which includes the statutorily mandated DOL FOIA Public Liaison and the SOL EEO manager, by linking individual performance requirements to key organizational goals.
- Effectively incorporates organizational performance results into decisions about individual performance ratings and recognition. Makes meaningful distinctions between levels of performance in ratings and recognizes subordinate performance and teamwork to encourage and boost morale.
- Promotes and maintains a collaborative and inclusive working environment and ensures that opportunities for growth exist equitably for all staff within OIS and provides fair and equitable recognition of accomplishments for all employees assigned to the staff.
- Oversees the consolidation or coordination of the processing of FOIA requests seeking access to particularly sensitive FOIA/Privacy Act requests involving records of multiple DOL agency components, working with FOIA Coordinators, subject matter experts, IT and counsels to clarify request, develop consistent search terms, leverage searches against the Departments network and to cross check responsive records for consistent redactions to ensure that the Department speaks in one voice in its final disclosure(s).
- Develops and administers DOL-wide training on FOIA and the Privacy Act to ensure compliance with the statutes, relevant guidance and prevailing case law.
- Effectively represents the Department on national committees and work groups organized to address complex technical FOIA issues where I actively engage the cooperation of internal and external stakeholders in working on common tasks or group projects; shares work and decision-making with others on issues of significant consequences to the Department, including serving as a frequent lecturer for governmental agencies and external organizations.
- Actively builds working relationships and coalitions with FOIA professionals across the government, internal and external stakeholders, entities that conduct business with DOL and others to achieve common goals and to promote program effectiveness.
- Leverages technological developments to achieve results, including the modernization of the Department's FOIA program.
- Effectively oversees the development, work process reengineering, program mapping, data migration, launch, implementation and ongoing management of the Departments internal FOIA tracking system, FOIAXpress, to include work plans to address the effective lifecycle of the system, developing protocols for change management, training and other configuration matters to ensure work continuity and the ability of the agency to readily comply with ongoing reporting mandates.
- Administers timely initiation, execution, and accountability of the budgetary funds allocated for the operation of OIS (to include salaries, supplies, training and related expenses) by preparing, justifying, and administering the program budget. Monitors expenditures and uses cost benefit thinking to set priorities and ensure adequate management controls.
- Works collaboratively with the Counsel for FOIA and Information Law to support efforts aimed at defending the agency in FOIA related litigation as well as the Counsel for Federal Records on records management policies and procedures that impact the agency's compliance with FOIA and Privacy Act.
- Responsible monitoring agency performance of established FOIA goals, auditing the FOIA tracking system, compiling and certifying data for all mandated FOIA reports, both internal and external.
- Leads the Department's efforts to coordinate and respond to inquiries from the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), General Accountability Office, Congress and other Federal entities regarding the overall management of the Department's FOIA and Privacy Act programs.
- Stresses innovation, creativity and risk taking to achieve programmatic goals. Analyzes problems and develops alternative solutions to enhance the processes of each of DOL's free standing agency components, emphasizing new approaches and taking calculated risks to move the overall program forward.
Archivist (GS-1420-14), FOIA and Privacy Act Officer
National Archives and Records Administration
08.2001 - 06.2010
- Served as a technical expert responsible for ensuring agency-wide compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act.
- Advised and consulted with NARA officials, external partners, and other agencies on technical and archival issues related to NARA's holdings, both the operational records it creates as an executive branch Federal agency and the historical records it maintains as the archives of the United States.
- Worked with the Office of Presidential Libraries to effectively manage requests for Presidential records subject to the provisions of the Presidential Records Act and FOIA.
- Supported the goals and initiatives of the Chief FOIA Officer in carrying out his statutory responsibilities, including the preparation of regular and recurring reports, data calls, Open Government Act initiatives and related mandates.
- Supported the goals and initiatives of the Senior Agency Official for Privacy by providing oversight of the NARA program to protect personally identifiable information (PII), including requirements under the Privacy Act, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issuances and National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) guidance.
- Developed regulations and policy guidance on the application of the FOIA and the Privacy Act to NARA's operational and historical records.
- Processed FOIA and Privacy Act requests for NARA's operational records and provided administrative staffing on all FOIA appeals on behalf of the designated appeal official.
- Provided training to NARA staff and represented in at symposiums and conferences regarding FOIA, Privacy Act, and protocols governing access to archival materials.
Archivist (GS-1420-12), FOIA Specialist
National Archives and Records Administration
05.1998 - 08.2001
- Assisted with the development of NARA's FOIA and Privacy Act programs.
- Processed FOIA and Privacy Act requests for access to NARA's own operational records and provided guidance on access to the historical records among NARA's holdings.
- Provided training to staff on FOIA, Privacy Act and records management issues.
Archivist (GS-1420-12), Archivist, Special Access and FOIA Staff
National Archives and Records Administration
10.1994 - 05.1998
- Provided extensive scholarly reference and research services for historical records at NARA, with subject area expertise in the records of various Independent Counsels, the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection and other records collections with special restrictions to access.
- Processed and reviewed historical records, making release determinations under the FOIA and the mandatory review provisions of the prevailing order on national security classification.
- Performed special projects to facilitate access to archival holdings, including arrangement, description and preservation work.
Archivist (GS-1420-07), Archivist, Career Intern Development Training Program/Outstanding Scholar Program
National Archives and Records Administration
10.1993 - 10.1994
- Served in long-range rotational assignments performing various archival functions including reference services, arrangement and description of archival materials; documentary publications; and records appraisal.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History/Political Science
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
05.1993
Skills
- Information management
- Data collection
- Database administration
- Regulatory compliance
Affiliations
- American Society of Access Professionals, 01/01/99, Present
- FOIA Advisory Committee, 01/01/14, 01/01/16
- International Association of Privacy Professionals, 01/01/14, Present
- American Society of Access Professionals, Board of Directors, 01/01/06, 01/01/10
- American Society of Access Professionals, Instructor, 01/01/05, Present
- U.S. Department of Justice, Instructor, 01/01/02, 01/01/10
Awards
- Archivist Special Achievement Award, Archivist of the United States, National Archives, 01/01/09
- Distinguished Career Service Award, Secretary of Labor, US Department of Labor, 01/01/24
Timeline
Supervisory Government Information Specialist (GS-0306-15), Director, Office of Information Services (OIS)
U.S. Department of Labor
06.2010 - Current
Archivist (GS-1420-14), FOIA and Privacy Act Officer
National Archives and Records Administration
08.2001 - 06.2010
Archivist (GS-1420-12), FOIA Specialist
National Archives and Records Administration
05.1998 - 08.2001
Archivist (GS-1420-12), Archivist, Special Access and FOIA Staff
National Archives and Records Administration
10.1994 - 05.1998
Archivist (GS-1420-07), Archivist, Career Intern Development Training Program/Outstanding Scholar Program
National Archives and Records Administration
10.1993 - 10.1994
Bachelor of Arts - History/Political Science
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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