ETHICS ATTORNEY (1) – IC 13/14 CORE (Duty Station: FEMA HQ, Washington, DC)
Are you interested in helping to promote good governance and maintain a high level of public confidence in the integrity of FEMA programs and operations? Would you like to work closely with our Deployable and Regional Counsel and FEMA Reservists on ethics matters? The Legal Counsel and Ethics Division (LCELD) has one (1) CORE for an IC-13/14 attorney position in the Ethics group. The attorney will report to the Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, Ethics.
Typical work assignments include:
• Assisting, coordinating, researching, preparing, and reviewing ethics advice prepared by FEMA’s Deployable Field Counsel and Regional Counsel.
• Train FEMA’s Deployable Field Counsel, Regional Counsel, and other FEMA employees on relevant ethics topics.
• Work with ethics counselors to resolve novel ethical issues or those that may have broader policy implications affecting the disaster work of FEMA employees.
• Review and analyze Office of Government Ethics confidential and public financial disclosure forms.
• Provide legal advice on ethics matters to FEMA employees (particularly to employees within the FEMA reservist program), and participate in the development of DHS policies, directives, and procedures concerning office matters which have a direct impact on FEMA’s mission.
The candidate must be organized, have strong written and oral communication skills, and have the ability to work on sensitive matters in a fast-paced environment. A successful candidate must have following minimum qualifications:
1. A J.D. or LL.B. degree from an ABA accredited law school.
2. An active membership, in good standing, of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
3. Proficiency in legal research methods, including familiarity with on-line legal databases and other agency resources.
4. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate authoritative oral legal advice concerning legal issues.
5. Skill in interpreting the law and applying it to specific situations and the exercise of legal judgment.
6. Ability to render authoritative written and legal opinions and products involving legal issues.
7. Skill in reviewing all legal documents (e.g., ethics agreements, legal policies, financial disclosure documents) for legal sufficiency and avoiding even the appearance of conflicts of interest.
8. A team oriented approach and strong communications skills both written and oral.
Applicants should possess strong skills in using a personal computer and software applications such as Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, and database systems, or similar applications. Excellent organizational and project management skills are required, and applicants will be expected to manage multiple competing priorities under short deadlines. Applicants should also possess the following characteristics and competencies: sound judgment, reliability, decisiveness, flexibility, initiative, professionalism, the ability to function independently and as part of a team, and strong interpersonal relationship skills.
This is a laddered position. At the IC-13 level (GS-13 equivalent), the candidate must have at least two years of legal experience, with at least one year of that experience equivalent to the IC-12 (GS-12 equivalent) level. At the IC-14 level (GS-14 equivalent), the candidate must have at least three years of legal experience with at least one year of that experience equivalent to the IC-13 level (GS-13 equivalent). This is a Public Trust position. This is a Temporary Full Time position with a two-year appointment to the Excepted Service.
Interested applicants for the position should send a resume and cover letter to Mr. David Whitman at fema-ethics@fema.dhs.gov by Friday, July 7, 2017, indicating their relevant experience and the grade level for which they are applying.
Kris Beecher (rising 2L) started his Summer off by being appointed and confirmed to the Navajo Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners, and was subsequently elected Chairman of the Board on June 10th, 2017. He also found time to speak to Native youth attending a Summer program at ASU, and was sworn in as one of the newest members of the Navajo Nation Bar Association. Additionally, his internship at the Navajo Nation Chief Prosecutor’s Office is giving him plenty of Summer reading.
