FOIA Research & Request Specialist

WHO WE ARE
NIA Production is a YouTube conglomerate. We own, build, and operate our own channels in-house. Every channel we run is ours.
You can see our work at ----------

We are 90+ people strong and growing rapidly. Most of our team is hybrid and we hire globally. We move fast. We care about results, and we hire people who think the same way.

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS
The best bodycam channels are built on access to compelling, legally obtainable footage, not luck.
Public records requests are the foundation of our content pipeline. Every week, thousands of police departments, sheriff's offices, highway patrol agencies, prosecutors, and municipalities release body camera footage, dashcam videos, 911 audio, interrogation footage, surveillance recordings, and investigative documents through public records laws.
Your job is to systematically identify these stories before everyone else, obtain the footage, and build a reliable pipeline that keeps our channels supplied with high-quality content.

This is not simply filing paperwork. You will build and manage the research system that continuously discovers interesting i ---------- , tracks request status, communicates with agencies, follows up on delayed requests, and ensures media is delivered to our production team.
Success in this role directly impacts how many videos we can produce.

CHANNELS
These channels represent our current quality standard:
Code Blue Cam: ----------
Midwest Safety: ----------
EWU Bodycam: ----------

RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and identify newsworthy i ---------- with strong storytelling potential for YouTube content.
Prepare and submit FOIA and state public records requests to law enforcement agencies across the United States.
Request and obtain body camera footage, dashcam footage, 911 calls, dispatch audio, police reports, arrest reports, and other relevant public records.
Track all requests from submission to completion, including deadlines, response timelines, processing fees, and follow-up actions.
Communicate professionally with records departments and public information officers to clarify requests, resolve issues, and follow up on outstanding cases.
Organize and archive all received footage and documents, ensuring files are properly labeled and easily accessible for the production team.
Maintain an accurate, well-structured database of active and completed requests, keeping records up to date and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

REQUIREMENTS
Must-Have:
Proven experience researching, preparing, and submitting FOIA and state public records requests.
Strong knowledge of U.S. public records laws, including state-specific requirements, exemptions, and body camera release policies.
Ability to determine what records can and cannot be obtained and draft clear, effective requests that maximize approval rates.
Excellent research, organization, and tracking skills with the ability to manage multiple active requests simultaneously.
Strong written English, professional communication skills, and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Nice-to-Have:
Experience working with YouTube channels, particularly in news, true crime, or documentary content.
Strong ability to identify i ---------- with high storytelling value and viral potential for YouTube.
Familiarity with YouTube audience preferences and what makes bodycam or law enforcement content engaging.

RESULTS
Success in this role is measured by:
A consistent pipeline of submitted and approved requests
Timely follow-up on outstanding requests
Well-organized records and documentation
Regular delivery of usable footage to the production team
Discovery of high-quality stories before competitors