Senior Ethics Advisor Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. SOL-DEO-25-004-CJ (SL-MP) Department Office of the Solicitor
Salary $147,469.00 to $221,900.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/21/2024 Close Date 11/21/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The minimum pay for this position is $147,469. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors. Pay is set based on consideration of the selectee's current salary and other factors.

This position is eligible for tele-work based on supervisory approval.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

The is an Excepted -Service position and this appointment will not confer Competitive-Service status (i.e., career or career-conditional).

Duties

As a basic requirement, applicants must demonstrate progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior level managerial capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-14/15 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations. Failure to meet basic qualification requirements and all mandatory technical qualifications listed automatically disqualifies an applicant.

The Senior Ethics Advisor position is located in the Departmental Ethics Office, Office of the Solicitor. The Departmental Ethics Office is responsible for implementation and legal support within DOI under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and all other statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders applicable to ethics, conflicts of interest, and financial disclosure matters.

Specific Duties

The incumbent carries out the following specific responsibilities:

1. Responsible for providing the most senior employees of the Department with this advice and counsel in an accurately, timely, and consistent manner.

2. Works directly with the White House Counsel's Office and OGE on nomination packages for PAS officials and the OSC on Hatch Act compliance issues to ensure there are no conflicts of interest or political activities that would limit or prevent the highest-level Department employees from proceeding to appointment to a position or performing in their position in a compliant manner once confirmed.

3. Responsible for assisting the DAEO in managing the ethics program, including the program requirements applicable to the highest-level employees at the Department.

4. The incumbent maintains a close working relationship with the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget, and with all human resources offices within the Department to help ensure that the work of the bureau/office ethics staff in the Departmental Ethics Office is undertaken in a manner consistent with Department guidance. The incumbent leads and supports efforts to help bureau/office Deputy Ethics Counselors and other ethics officials understand ethics laws, regulations, policies and opinions on conflicts of interest laws and provide guidance on ethics matters consistent with Departmental direction.

5. The incumbent provides expert proactive counseling to client officials and representational advocacy services in litigation, arbitration, and mediation and works with the Department's bureaus and offices to implement the appropriate advice and counsel.

6. The Senior Ethics Advisor formulates and sets legal policy and standards of practice in the Departmental Ethics Office.

Applicants who meet all the mandatory technical qualifications will be evaluated by a panel to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required narrative statements for the technical qualifications described in this vacancy.

If your resume does not include these basic qualifications, you will not be determined qualified for this position.

Your resume must include examples that are clear, concise, and emphasize their level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Must possess the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance level for this position.
  • Ability to pass pre or post-employment drug screens (if applicable based on clearance level).
  • Must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • Participation in direct deposit is required.

Qualifications

Applicants who meet all the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (i.e., MTQ's) will be evaluated by a panel to determine the degree to which they possess each of the listed qualifications. This evaluation will determine which applicants are best qualified. Total background, including experience, education, awards, self-development, and training will be reviewed. This information will be obtained from the application package, including the required Mandatory Technical Qualification narrative statement(s) described above and listed below:

1. Expert knowledge of the Ethics in Government Act of I 978, the Hatch Act, and other applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and administrative and judicial decisions pertaining to procurement integrity, fraud, financial disclosure, criminal conflict of interest, conduct, and government ethics, and ability to interpret and apply legal authorities, precedents, and administrative guidance.

2. Demonstrated technical competence to provide the timely and accurate advice and counsel of the Departmental Ethics Office at the most senior levels of an organization, with a focus on the complex areas of conflicts of interest and the application of various remedies, including recusals for the most senior level officials of the Department.

Education

Applicants must have a J.D. or LL.B. degree and be current members in good standing of a bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or commonwealth of the United States.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additional information

The applicant selected for this position will be required to file a Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278, and the supplemental form, Confidential Statement of Employment and Financial Interest, DI-278. All forms must be filed within 30 days after the selection for this position.

The sensitivity level of the position requires completion of a successful background investigation of the selectee. Prior to appointment, applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use.

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, martial status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring authority directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (P.L. 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361.

Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

If applicable, in accordance with Executive Order 12564, and under the Department's Drug Free Workplace Program: Applicant(s) tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use and to pass the test prior to appointment. In addition, this position is subject to random testing for illegal drug use.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will conduct a qualifications evaluation of applicants who supply all requested material. Qualified applicants will be rated and ranked by a panel. Best qualified candidates will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of the outcome after completion of the selection process. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume may result in a "not qualified" determination.

Each applicant is required to submit a comprehensive narrative statement addressing each mandatory technical qualification individually. The narrative must demonstrate the necessary level of skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in this Senior Level position. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicant's level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of assignments, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. Applicants who fail to provide this narrative statement in the format requested will not be considered.

EACH MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION MUST BE ADDRESSED AND TITLED SEPARATELY AND NOT EXCEED TWO PAGES FOR EACH STATEMENT.

IF YOU EXCEED THE 2-PAGE LIMIT REQUIRED OR DO NOT ADDRESS AND TITLE EACH MANADTORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION, YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Required Documents

1. REQUIRED Your resume - it must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement. Insufficient information will result in a not qualified rating. It is recommended that you include the following information:

  • Full name, mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
  • Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degrees received
  • Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including:
    • Job title (include series and grade if Federal job)
    • Duties and accomplishments
    • Employer's name and address
    • Supervisor's name and phone number
    • Starting and ending dates of employment (month and year)
    • Salary
    • Indicate if we may contact your current supervisor
    • Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
2. REQUIRED A narrative statement addressing each of the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ's) - experience (paid and unpaid), education, training, awards, and/or self-development activities as related to each qualification requirement. You must title each MTQ's separately to ensure each MTQ is appropriately addressed. Failure to title and address each MTQ separately will result in your disqualification.

Narrative statements must not exceed 2 pages for each individual technical qualification(s). IF YOU EXCEED THESE PAGE LIMITS OR YOU FAIL FOR PROVIDE THE NARRATIVE STATEMENTS AS DESCRIBED (i.e., MTQ's), YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

3. REQUIRED-Only If Applicable: Proof of your degree, which would be outlined in the basic education requirement section if applicable. Proof will consist of unofficial transcripts, which must be attached to this application for consideration to determine basic eligibility.

4. REQUIRED If you are a current Federal employee, a copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that indicates Federal status, grade, tenure, and type of service. Please redact your social security number and date of birth.

5. (REQUIRED if applicable) CTAP/ICTAP: If you are a displaced or surplus Federal employee eligible for consideration under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP), you must submit proof of eligibility. For a detailed list of documents, click here.

6. REQUIRED if applicable - SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES DOCUMENTATION:

If you are applying under a special hiring authority, submit a copy of proof of your eligibility.

7. REQUIRED if applicable - VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT (VEOA) DOCUMENTATION:

If you are applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge.

Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form. An SF-15 may be found at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf.

8. REQUIRED - If selected, you must provide (1) a copy of your unofficial transcript that shows that you have successfully graduated from an accredited law school; and (2) documentation showing proof of good standing in a bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or commonwealth of the United States. Failure to provide your unofficial transcript and proof of good standing of a bar prior to onboarding will result in disqualification.

All of the documentation listed above is required to be attached to your application, if it is applicable to your candidacy, with the exception of (1) your unofficial transcript and (2) your proof of good standing in a bar of a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or commonwealth of the United States. Failure to attach any of the other documentation listed above which proves your eligibility for this position will result in disqualification/non-consideration for this position.

REMINDER: ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11:59pm ET ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

To begin, click the Apply Online button near the bottom (or right) of this screen and follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions, and submit all required documents. To return to your saved application, log in to your USAJOBS account at http://www.usajobs.gov and click on "My Applications". Click on the position title, and then select Apply Online to continue..

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit all the required information.

Your Resume must include the required information listed below:

  1. Vacancy Announcement Number and Position Title
  2. Your full name, day and evening phone numbers, e-mail and mailing address.
  3. Job titles (include series and grade if Federal job), salaries, employers' names and addresses, supervisors' names and phone numbers (indicate if we may contact your current and former supervisors), duties, starting and ending dates and hours per week of paid or non-paid work experience that relates to this vacancy.
  4. Job-related training courses, special skills, certificates and licenses, honors, awards, publications and special accomplishments.
  5. Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.
  6. Your resume should clearly demonstrate the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ's) required by this vacancy announcement.
The Department of the Interior provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, on a case-by-case basis. Please use the agency contact listed below if you require this for any part of the application and hiring process.

It is your responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, and sent is received and is accurate.

To preview the announcement questionnaire, please click on:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12584857

Agency contact information

Crystal Johnson
Address
Office of the Solicitor
1849 C. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgment from USAJobs that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line assessment questionnaire, resume and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJobs account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background checks, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the Human Resources Office posting this announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.