Attorney-Adviser (Ethics)

Full Job Description

This is a non-bargaining unit position located in the Deputy General Counsel of Law Division of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

The Deputy Ethics Officer reports directly to the General Counsel, who serves as the Designated Agency Ethics Officer.

The Deputy Ethics Officer provides legal advice, analysis, and research work in ethics and is primarily responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Commission's Ethics Program.

In order to qualify, you must meet the Basic Requirements and the Experience Requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience.

A copy of your unofficial or official transcripts must be provided with your application. Basic Requirements (applicable to both grade levels): A. Education: Possess a J.D.

or LL.B degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. AND B.

Bar Membership: Be an active member in good standing of a state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting both of the Basic Requirements above, you must meet the experience requirements for the applicable grade level listed below.

Experience Requirement for the GS-13 Level: You must have at least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas.

At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-12 level participating in providing legal advice, analysis, research, or litigation work.

This must include activities such as: (1) conducting legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including searching legal precedent; (2) drafting briefs, motions, or other documents in preparation for trial or administrative hearing; (3) assisting with taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or defendants; (4) assisting senior staff with settlement negotiations with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) making oral presentations of legal arguments or results of legal research/analysis.

Experience Requirement for the GS-14 Level: You must have at least 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience working as a practicing attorney in any of the following duty areas: compliance, litigation, investigations, legal review, regulations/policy, or other similar areas.

At least one year of this experience must be comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-13 level providing legal advice, analysis, research, and/or litigation work.

This must include activities such as: (1) conducting extensive legal research of policies, regulations, and/or compliance questions, including searching precedent or opinions bearing on the issue; (2) writing briefs, motions, reports, or recommendations in preparation for trial or administrative hearing; (3) taking depositions and/or sworn statements from witnesses or defendants; (4) participating in negotiating settlement agreements with another party or their respective counsel; or (5) presenting oral arguments in a court or administrative hearing.

In addition, you must provide a cover letter of at least two pages summarizing your evidence of the following competencies: Legal Writing: Writes clear, concise, persuasive legal documents.

Legal Analysis: Researches, analyzes, and explains complex legal issues.

Investigations: Gathers information and examines facts for investigations or research; takes depositions; conducts witness interviews; drafts formal and informal written discovery.

Negotiating: Develops negotiation strategy; drafts and negotiates settlement agreements; works with others towards an agreement; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions.

Oral Communication: Makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; listens effectively and clarifies information as needed; communicates complex legal principles succinctly and clearly.

We recommend your cover letter include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the functions, activities, or services you delivered; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed, and the results of your actions.

Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer work experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Please Note: Selection at the GS-13 level does not guarantee promotion to the GS-14, full performance level.

If you are selected at the GS-13 grade level, you may be promoted without further competition to the GS-14 level once you have served 18 months at the GS-13 level and met performance requirements.

Major Duties:

As the Attorney-Adviser (Ethics) in this position, you will: Have frequent contact with the leadership of the agency and is relied upon to provide confidential advice to ensure compliance with the applicable ethic's laws.

Administer the day-to-day operations of the Commission's ethics programs, working closely with the Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO), Alternate Designated Agency Ethics Official (ADEAO), and Special Counsel to the General Counsel on important issues pertaining to the ethics program.

Generate and deliver expert-level guidance on a wide variety of ethics and/or Hatch Act issues to employees at every level of the Commission.

Serve as the agency's liaison to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and other relevant federal agencies regarding ethics laws and program operations.

Coordinate with the White House, Congressional Liaison, and OGE to support Commissioner nomination and appointment processes. Create and provides ethics briefings and training to various audiences.

Independently lead the Public and Confidential Financial Disclosure programs for the agency. Depending on workload considerations, the incumbent may assist on projects from other divisions within OGC.