Ethics Commission Investigations Counsel

Agency

State Ethics Commission

Division

Board of Ethics

Job Classification Title

Attorney III (NS)

Position Number

60088570

Grade

LG08

About Us

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services.

Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website.

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Description of Work

Commission Overview

The primary purpose of the State Ethics Commission ("the Commission") is to implement and enforce the State Government Ethics Act, Chapter 138A of the North Carolina General Statutes ("the Ethics Act"), Chapter 120C of the General Statutes ("the Lobbying Law") and other related laws, rules and regulations. The Commission pursues its mission through multiple means reflected in four units:

I. Education: Education of persons subject to the Ethics Act and Lobbying Law and enforcement of the education requirement;

II. SEI: Administration of statutorily required financial disclosure reporting for individuals subject to the Ethics Act, including the acceptance, individualized review and evaluation, and publication of over 6,500 covered officials; and enforcement of SEI filing requirements through the assessment of fines against untimely or noncompliant officials;

III. Advice: Interpretation of the Ethics Act and Lobbying Law and advice to persons subject to those laws; and

IV. Complaints: Enforcement of the Ethics Act’s gift ban, use of title restrictions, and conflicts of interest standards; and applicable Lobbying Law provisions through investigation of complaints alleging violations.

The Investigations Counsel investigates confidential complaints filed by citizens against persons subject to the Ethics Act or Lobbying Law or which are initiated by the Commission. Those complaints proceed through a legal process overseen by the Commission and that may result in a public hearing before the Commission and proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Investigations Counsel will conduct the investigation and represent the Commission through all stages of those legal proceedings. Requires frequent interactions with public officials, their counsel, and various witnesses. This position will report to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities:

The primary purpose of the Investigations Counsel is to independently investigate confidential complaints filed by citizens or investigations initiated by the Ethics Commission against public officials subject to the Ethics Act, lobbyist and lobbyist principals subject to the Lobbying Law, and campaign finance investigations referred by the State Board of Elections. Those complaints proceed through a legal process overseen by the Commission and may result in a public hearing before the Commission, proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, and criminal referrals to the State Bureau of Investigation and District Attorneys.

The Investigations Counsel will independently conduct the investigations and represent the Commission through all stages of those legal proceedings with minimal supervision, including presenting the details of those complaints to Commission Panels for determination of further investigation and violations of the law. Additionally, the Investigations Counsel has primary responsibility for conducting hearings before the Commission upon a probable cause finding in complaints filed against covered Executive Branch officials. Requires frequent interactions with members of the public, public officials, their counsel, and various witnesses. The position reports to the Executive Director.

Investigations Counsel will also perform related duties as required, including individualized legal advice to agency General Counsels, Ethics Liaisons, and officials subject to the Ethics Act regarding the Act’s gift ban, conflict of interest, and use of title provisions; assisting with the issuance of informal advisory opinions interpreting the Lobbying Law’s reporting and registration requirements; and the preparation of formal advisory opinions interpreting the Ethics Act or Lobbying Law for consideration by the Commission. The position also assists with SEI compliance, including statutorily required filing reminders, notices of potential fines, and presentation of fine recommendations to the Commission.


Investigations Counsel
State Ethics Commission
Salary Grade: LG 8
This position is located at:
424 N. Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

*This is an anticipated vacancy*

This posting will close at 11:59pm the night before the end date.

MAX SALARY FOR THIS POSITION: $117,671

Recruitment Range: $91,249-$117,671

NOTE: "See Resume" is not acceptable to show work history.

• Must be an experienced lawyer licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar.

• Ability to manage legal and professional staff.

• Considerable knowledge of case, statutory, regulatory, and common law, particularly the State Government Ethics Act, Lobbying Law, Open Meetings Law, and Public Records Act.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex litigation before administrative agencies and trial and appellate courts.

• Experience with interpreting and applying laws, constitutional provisions, statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions.

• Experience analyzing facts, evidence, and legal instruments.

• Experience expressing legal concepts clearly and logically in oral and written form.

• Ability to analyze legal problems and render formal opinions.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency personnel, high-level public officials, and members of the public.

• Computer literacy, including intermediate knowledge of the Commission’s SEI database and word processing, calendaring, spreadsheet, presentation, and email software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

MANAGEMENT PREFERENCES:

• Five years of progressively responsible professional legal experience and a minimum of two years of management experience.

• Experience in complex regulatory compliance at the state or federal level.

• Investigative or prosecutorial experience.

• Experience in the field of ethics and lobbying regulation and/or enforcement.

• Experience in public speaking.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and three years of progressively responsible professional legal experience. NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Lauren Michelle Scott

Recruiter Email:

[email protected]