(1) The public records officer is appointed by the director and is located in the Olympia office.

(2) The public records officer is in charge of the DES public records program. The public records officer is responsible for:

(a) Overseeing compliance with the Public Records Act;

(b) Implementing DES rules regarding the release of public records for inspection and copying;

(c) Coordinating DES staff in this regard.

(3) In compliance with DES policy, the public records officer may delegate a designee to act in the officer's place to carry out the responsibilities in this chapter, including processing and responding to public records requests. The DES public records officer will provide the fullest assistance to requestors.