Ethics Adviser

THE POSITION

The Ethics Advisor assists the Ethics Officer in the planning, development, and implementation of the strategies necessary to establish a successful ethics initiative at the District. Ensures execution of the District’s Employee Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest Code, Lobbying Disclosure Code, and the Contractors Code of Conduct, and other ethics policies while fostering high ethical standards and partnering with other District stakeholders to make measurably significant progress in developing an effective ethics infrastructure, providing employee support and enabling integrity assurance.

General direction is received from the Ethics Officer. Supervision is provided to subordinate ethics staff.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Ethics Advisor position is a public-sector professional who brings strong judgment, discretion, and a practical understanding of ethics compliance in a complex organizational environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

-Experience researching, interpreting, and applying California ethics and conflict-of-interest laws to fact-specific situations

-Ability to analyze information, identify relevant legal and policy considerations, and provide clear, accurate guidance to non-legal audiences

-Confidence to manage time-sensitive inquiries thoughtfully, including knowing when additional research is needed before providing advice

-Strong written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into guidance employees can realistically follow

-Professional composure and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential matters

--Experience supporting ethics-related functions such as conflict of interest compliance, ethics advisories, or ethics training

Effective interpersonal skills that reinforce the advisory and educational role of an ethics office rather than a punitive one

-Ability to work collaboratively across a large organization with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities

-Strong organizational skills and attention to detail when managing multiple requests and deadlines

-Commitment to integrity, public service, and fostering ethical decision-making within a large public institution

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

-Provides guidance and direction and serves as a resource to District leadership and personnel concerning identification, investigation, and resolution of ethics and public integrity issues.

-Plans, organizes, and administers resolutions to problems in accordance with LAUSD’s ethics-related policies and programs, including oversight for the code of ethics, contractors code lobbying code, and the State-mandated conflict of interest code with its accompanying Statement of Economic Interest filings.

-Responds to the Ask Ethics helpline inquiries and requests for advice and information concerning LAUSD’s work place ethics practices and public integrity programs and provides written advisories as needed.

-Develops compelling content to support District-wide ethics awareness, communication, and training efforts.

-Gathers data for use in the preparation of supporting documentation for reports on ethics-related programs and issues.

-Prepares various resource documents for use by District staff in making ethical decisions.

-Maintains and updates web-based ethics resources and ethics data management systems.

-Assists in the on-going review and refinement of the District’s ethics policies, programs, and procedures.

-Assists in conducting ethics-related presentations, briefings, and training to District administrators, staff and others.

-May represents the Ethics Officer at meetings involving matters related to ethics policies, programs, or efforts as directed.

-Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION: A baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university, preferably in public administration, business administration, communications/public relations, education, law, ethics/philosophy or related field. An advanced degree in one of these fields is preferred.

EXPERIENCE: At least four (4) years of professional experience in a position(s) related to ethics, public relations, human resources, or training, within a large organization, or in position(s) involved with change management. Supervisory experience is desirable. An advanced degree in public administration, business administration, communications/public relations, education, law, ethics/philosophy or related field from a recognized university may be substituted for the required experience on a year for year basis.

Special: A valid California driver's license and the availability of private transportation, or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation.

SPECIAL NOTE: An employee in this class may be subject to the reporting requirements of the District’s Conflict of Interest Code.

TO APPLY:

Please visit LAUSD's career page to apply