Department of Health and Human Services

Associate General Counsel - Designated Agency Ethics Official

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Associate General Counsel - Designated Agency Ethics Official

Department: Department of Health and Human Services

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $151661 - $228000 Per Year

Job Summary: The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department's programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization's various agencies and divisions.

Major Duties:

  • Manages and leads the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) ethics program, with responsibility for planning, coordinating, and overseeing ethics policy, procedures, and operations across all Divisions and Regional Offices. Serves as the Designated Agency Ethics Official and principal adviser to the General Counsel on all legal and policy matters related to employee ethics, including financial disclosures, conflicts of interest, waivers, recusals, post-employment restrictions, and enforcement referrals. Provides authoritative legal guidance to senior Department leadership, coordinates Department-wide ethics initiatives and training, oversees required statutory reporting, and directs cross-cutting studies and special projects to ensure compliance with federal ethics laws and standards.

Qualifications: Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience in the administration of federal ethics programs including expertise in criminal conflicts of interest statutes, Office of Government Ethics Standards of Conduct regulations, post government employment issues, use of government information and resources, financial disclosure, political activity restrictions, anti-lobbying laws, White House Ethics Pledge restrictions, Government Accountability Office engagement and Congressional oversight of a federal ethics program, and other areas related to federal sector ethics. TQ 2: Demonstrated experience drafting complex ethics opinions and decisions under federal ethics laws and regulations; reviewing and analyzing federal financial disclosure reports, including OGE Forms 278 and 450; resolving complex financial conflicts of interest; and drafting ethics agreements and recusal documents. Provides expert advice to senior federal leaders on ethics program, policy, and financial ethics matters requiring a high degree of sensitivity, discretion, refined interpersonal communication skills, and sound legal judgment. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

How to Apply: You must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSING DATE 01/13/2026 of this announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-13