Ethics Specialist

Guidehouse•Rockville, MD

1d•$49,000 - $81,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for an Ethics Specialist to support the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Ethics Office by providing ethics review, financial disclosure analysis, conflict-of-interest assessments, and ethics program administration. This is a full-time position located in Rockville, MD.

Requirements

Associate’s degree
Minimum of TWO (2) years’ experience in Federal ethics principles, conflict-of-interest reviews, and financial disclosure processes.
Experience reviewing, analyzing, and processing ethics-related documents and requests.
Ability to conduct detailed research and analysis related to financial interests and ethics compliance.
Experience maintaining records, databases, and tracking systems with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to prepare recommendations, reports, guidance materials, and supporting documentation.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with ethics officials and stakeholders.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Federal or DoD “public trust”; candidates must receive approved adjudication prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an active public trust or suitability are preferred.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting NIH, HHS, or other Federal ethics programs.
Familiarity with NIH Ethics Management Information System (EMIS) and NIH Enterprise Ethics System (NEES).
Experience reviewing OGE-278e, OGE-450, HHS-520, HHS-521, HHS-717, sponsored travel requests, and ethics waiver documentation.
Experience developing ethics training materials, fact sheets, SOPs, and compliance guidance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience using AI platforms such as Copilot, Gemini, ChatGPT, or similar tools in a professional environment.

Responsibilities

Conduct first-level review and analysis of all requests for outside and official duty activities, and other actions submitted for ethics review and clearance.
Conduct review and approval of: Requests for Official Duty Memos, Requests for Outside Activity (HHS-520), Annual Reports of Outside Activities (HHS-521), Widely Attended Gatherings (NIH-2803), Public Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE-278e), Sponsored Travel requests, Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE-450), Confidential Reports of Financial Interests in Substantially Affected Organizations (HHS-717).
Provide consultation to the Deputy Ethics Counselor (DEC) and Senior Ethics Specialists on complex, precedent-setting, or potentially controversial ethics cases and develop recommendations for appropriate action.
Analyze and track financial disclosure reports in electronic databases and review public and confidential financial disclosures to identify potential conflicts of interest or appearances of conflicts.
Conduct technical and conflict-of-interest reviews involving outside activities, official duty activities with outside organizations, recusals, gifts, gift exceptions, outside awards, supplemental disclosures, and sponsored travel.
Review and process ethics-related requests and financial disclosure documents independently and within established timelines.
Certify review of assigned financial disclosure documents within required review periods and document any review challenges.
Enter and update information in the NIH Ethics Management Information System (EMIS) and maintain accurate electronic and hard-copy ethics records.
Maintain ethics files and ensure compliance with applicable records management requirements.
Generate reports using EMIS, NEES, and other tracking systems to monitor ethics actions and program activities.
Conduct research and analysis of financial interests and disclosure information, obtaining additional facts from filers when necessary.
Prepare recommendations regarding employee requests for outside activities, financial disclosures, ethics clearances, and conflict-of-interest matters.
Assist with development and maintenance of internal systems for monitoring compliance with Federal ethics laws, regulations, and standards of conduct.
Support development of ethics education and training materials, fact sheets, guidance documents, checklists, and other outreach resources.
Coordinate and participate in ethics training sessions, meetings, and educational activities.
Assist with the creation and maintenance of Ethics Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Translate ethics policies, regulations, and directives into practical procedures and guidance.
Provide guidance to staff regarding ethics-related administrative policies and procedures.
Utilize effective communication practices and approved AI tools to improve responsiveness, efficiency, and employee support.

Benefits

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Care.com annual membership
Employee Assistance Program
Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus