Ethics Program Specialist

Summary With nearly 1,700 attorneys, IRS Chief Counsel is the largest tax law firm nationwide. Our attorneys are among top tax law practitioners and some of the very best legal minds found anywhere. Together with the IRS, we serve the public by applying the tax code with fairness and integrity. After pausing hiring in 2025, we are seeking administrative professionals to support our legal work. Click to learn more: IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site Meet Our People Learn about our Legal Divisions Responsibilities The Office of Associate Chief Counsel, General Legal Services (GLS) serves as in-house counsel to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Chief Counsel, providing legal services over a broad spectrum of general government matters (excluding FOIA and the Privacy Act) including appropriations, fiscal and grant law, intellectual property, delegations of authority, records and property management, as well as government contracts, information technology, and personnel and labor law. The Ethics and General Government Branch (EGG) acts as the program coordinator and primary advisor to the Deputy Ethics Official, providing legal advice on all ethics matters, including those arising under the Ethics in Government Act; 18 U.S.C. Part I, Chapter 11; and Government-wide and Treasury standards of conduct. EGG also provides advice on a multitude of other non-tax legal issues. As an Ethics Program Specialist you will: Serve as an IRS and Chief Counsel (CC) expert and team leader for the financial disclosure program and other ethics programs; implement and manage a system for compliance with the public financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act; initiate the development and implementation of policies, systems, and procedures for the functioning and maintenance of the public and confidential financial disclosure systems. Work closely with the IRS Human Capital Office and the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Finance & Management) to ensure that all ethics program elements including the public and confidential financial disclosure system, are effectively delivered, formulating policies and service delivery systems to integrate ethics rules and programmatic requirements effectively with the IRS and CC, in consultation with management officials. Conduct comprehensive analysis of ethics programs and systems and develop improvements to these systems and procedures; develop new guidelines as needed. Develop relevant and innovative ethics training programs for senior-level IRS and CC officials, including presidential appointees confirmed by the senate, Senior Executive Service members, and others required to be trained under all applicable regulations. Serve as coordinator for the ethics website, responsible for ensuring materials are updated as well as for developing new materials to be included on the website. Develop and maintain databases and other tracking systems for ethics records and program information, including, but not limited to, information on financial disclosure filings, training and ethics agreements. Analyze public financial disclosure reports filed by top-level IRS and CC officials for potential and actual conflicts of interest, ensuring reports are compliant with regulations and policies implemented by the Office of Government Ethics; draft counseling letters and/or meet with filers to advise of potential conflicts and acceptable remedies in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. Review, analyze and comment on new legislation and regulations in the ethics area, and determine best methods for implementing new rules affecting financial disclosure and other ethics issues for IRS and CC. This is not an all-inclusive list. If selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform the duties of the position and will receive training to help you grow in the position. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify for this position of Ethics Program Specialist, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements detailed below by the closing date of this announcement. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. For GS-11:Specialized Experience: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience supporting the administration of program, preferably focused on ethics or financial disclosure. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-9). OR Education Substitution: You may substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Compliance and Corporate Law. OR Combination of Education and Experience: You may qualify by a combination of experience and education: Options for qualifying based on a combination are identified in the online questions. NOTE: If qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application package. For GS-12: Specialized Experience: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience applying ethics and financial disclosure regulations and procedures to support the administration of a financial disclosure program; reviewing financial disclosure reports for completeness and compliance with established guidance; tracking and monitoring disclosure activities and program requirements; assisting with analysis of ethics program operations and identifying process improvements; and providing guidance to employees or stakeholders regarding financial disclosure procedures and requirements. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). For GS-13: Specialized Experience: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience assisting with the development, implementation, and administration of a financial disclosure program in support of Ethics in Government Act requirements; monitoring the financial disclosure systems for effectiveness; analyzing ethics program procedures and recommending improvements; researching and interpreting applicable regulations and guidance; and assisting with the development or revision of procedures, guidance, or training materials related to ethics and financial disclosure programs. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12). Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week, on your resume. Education For positions with an education requirement, or if you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Additional Information We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies. Relocation expenses are not authorized. This is a non-bargaining unit position. We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules. Conditions of Employment Continued: Subject to a 1-year probationary period (unless already completed). All newly appointed employees to the competitive (or excepted) service are subject to a probationary (or trial) period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary (or trial) period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary (or trial) period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer. Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. Obtain and use a Government-issued charge card for business-related travel. Undergo an income tax verification. The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns. This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).