Closing Date: 27th July, 2024
Description:
General Job InformationJob Summary:
This position is located in the Office of Government Ethics, A Government Entity, an independent organization responsible for investigation and enforcement of the District's ethics laws and regulations with regard to District government employees, programs and operations. A Government Entity is responsible for administering the Code of Conduct applicable to all District government employees; receiving, investigating and adjudicating violations of the Code of Conduct; training District employees on ethics standards; issuing rules and regulations governing District employees and public officials; administering the financial disclosure and lobbyist registration systems; and providing formal and informal ethics advice.
This position serves as Attorney Advisor and is responsible for providing expert legal advice to the Ethics Board, the General Counsel, and the Director; providing ethics advice to District government personnel, investigating any alleged Code of Conduct violations; and supporting other agency programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides expert legal advice and services with respect to questions, regulations, practices, or other matters falling within the purview of the Ethics Board. Provides statements of reasons, drafts letters, memoranda, and recommendations. Conducts extensive review of various legal documents. Drafts formal and informal advisory opinions and guidance on ethics-related matters. Evaluates current District laws and regulations relating to government ethics, and when requested, examines best practices, and recommends legislative changes to the General Counsel, the Director and Ethics Board. Investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by District government employees. Reviews complaints and determines whether there is reason to believe that a violation of the Code of Conduct occurred. Makes recommendations with respect to preparing investigative plans; to obtaining and securing sources of proof; determining witness credibility; and suggesting possible sanctions. Prepares memoranda of facts and law, recommending formal proceedings before the Board. Shares in the prosecution of violations of the Code of Conduct before the Ethics Board.
Prepares all pre- and post-hearing submissions, such as notices of violations, motions, oppositions, proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law; and satisfies all agency discovery obligations. Litigates matters to completion through the presentation of evidence in open and adversarial evidentiary Board hearings. Coordinates with investigators on communications with stakeholders and opposing counsels about pending matters. Where there is a refusal to comply with a subpoena, Board order, or a failure to pay penalties, assists the General Counsel with enforcement in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Reviews records of suits for or against the Ethics Board in which the decision was unfavorable to the Board to determine whether to recommend an appeal to a higher court. If appeal is recommended and the recommendation is approved, assists the General Counsel with preparing the Board's case before the appellate court. Prepares reports of number and disposition of complaints, number and type of formal and informal requests for advice, and other legal matters, as directed. Provides training on compliance with ethics laws and regulations to agency ethics officials and District government employees through workshops and seminars. Manages and provides legal advice and support on agency programs related to lobbying and/or financial disclosure.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Education:
Applicant must possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the lower grade level that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Applicants must be a graduate from a full course of study in a School of Law accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of appointment. The incumbent must have at least two (2) years of post J.D. professional legal experience at or equivalent to the LA-12 grade level, or its non-District equivalent.
The incumbent must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment.
Licenses and Certifications:
The candidate must be a current member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or in good standing of the bar in any jurisdiction. If not a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the candidate must be sworn into the District of Columbia within 360 days of his/her initial appointment with BEGA. The candidate must remain a member of the DC Bar in good standing throughout his/her tenure as an Attorney Advisor.
