Job Description
Announcement Number: 154081
NCOE@ETHICS.NV.GOV ETHICS.NV.GOV
704 W. NYE LANE, SUITE 204
CARSON CITY, NEVADA 89703
(775) 684-5469
UNCLASSIFIED JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Posted - September 12, 2024
Associate Counsel
Recruitment Open To:This is an unclassified, exempt position open to all
qualified applicants. The position is at-will, which is appointed by and serves at the
pleasure of the Executive Director.
AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES: The Nevada Commission on Ethics provides confidential
advisory opinions to public officers and employees and responds to complaints from the
public alleging violations of the Ethics in Government Law (NRS Chapter 281A) by public
officers and public employees. The Commission also engages in outreach and education
to the entire State, providing its services to all State entities as well as counties, cities and
other political subdivisions throughout Nevada.
APPROXIMATE ANNUAL SALARY AND Benefits: Up to $135,201 plus benefits.*
*Salary range reflects retirement (PERS) contributions by both the employee and
employer. An employer paid contribution plan is also available with a reduced gross
salary.
Position Location: Carson City, Nevada. Up to 10% travel may be required. A valid
driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility is required at the time of appointment
and as a condition of continued employment. The Commission on Ethics maintains a
4-day work week (Monday through Thursday) with ten-hour workdays from 7:00
a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: This position is primarily responsible for representing
the Commission's Executive Director. The Associate Counsel participates in the
investigation of ethics complaints, including witness interviews and obtaining and
reviewing documents; prepares legal recommendations regarding jurisdictional
determinations and investigations of ethics complaints; prepares matters for adjudicatory
hearing, including participating in discovery and drafting dispositive and other motions
and presents matters for adjudicatory hearings before the Commission; negotiates
stipulated agreements; and represents the Executive Director in associated litigation. The
Associate Counsel also supports the Commission Counsel in certain other legal matters
affecting the Commission, including drafting advisory opinions concerning the
applicability of the statutory ethical standards to Nevada's public officers and employees
SCOTT SCHERER, ESQ.
CHAIR
KIM WALLIN, CPA, CMA, CFM
VICE CHAIR
ROSS E. ARMSTRONG, ESQ.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NCOE@ETHICS.NV.GOV ETHICS.NV.GOV
and litigation efforts in State and Federal Courts. The position may be occasionally
responsible for assisting the Executive Director and Outreach and Education Officer in
providing outreach and education to Nevada's public officers and employees through
Ethics Law Presentations.
Education and Experience Required to Perform the Duties of the POSITION: Graduation
from an ABA accredited law school and active membership in the Nevada State Bar
Association. Preferred experience includes legal research, investigations, discovery,
legal analysis and memorandums, motions, evidentiary standards and litigation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required to Perform the Job Functions: Must possess
superior legal research, writing, and oral presentation skills, must be flexible, and must
be well-organized and capable of working independently with minimal supervision or
support staff. Ability to investigate facts, analyze applicable laws and prepare related legal
memorandums. Must possess skills in effective written and verbal communication.
The Associate Counsel must be able independently to operate basic business machinery
and be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams as
well as Adobe, LexisNexis, and general software and internet use.
This position requires licensure/certification: Active license to practice law in the State of
Nevada.
Statutes and Regulations Administered by this POSITION: NRS and NAC Chapters 281A,
233B, 241 and 239.
Number and titles of staff that directly report to POSITION: 1 - Investigator
Number of indirect reports: 2 - Executive Assistant and Senior Legal Researcher
JOB DESCRIPTION
ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION
1. Develop and analyze the scope and nature of investigations of Ethics Complaints.
2. Under direction of Executive Director, assign and review workload of Investigator
related to Ethics Complaints.
3. Assign various administrative tasks and legal research to Senior Legal
Researcher and Executive Assistant.
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
1. Assist Executive Director and Outreach and Education Officer to provide outreach
and education via training programs to public officers and employees.
COMMISSION CASES
1. Requests for Advisory Opinions:
a. Assist Commission Counsel to develop and research facts and prepare draft
opinions, including interviewing requesters, researching relevant statutes,
regulations and Commission precedent and developing legal analysis.
b. Assist in drafting final opinions and abstract opinions.NCOE@ETHICS.NV.GOV ETHICS.NV.GOV
2. Ethics complaints:
a. Prepare recommendations regarding jurisdiction to investigate ethics
complaints.
b. Shape the scope and nature of investigations, including direction to
Investigator.
c. Prepare reports to the Executive Director regarding recommendations to
Commission Review Panels for hearing determinations.
d. Negotiate and draft proposed deferral agreements and stipulated
agreements.
e. Comply with scheduling orders, including discovery, drafting and/or
responding to motions, requesting subpoenas, developing witness and
documentary evidence, preparing pre-hearing statements and attending pre-
hearing conferences.
f. Represent Executive Director in presenting evidence and arguments to
Commission during adjudicatory hearings.
g. Assist in drafting proposed opinions.
LITIGATION
Represents the Executive Director and/or assists Commission Counsel in litigation
before any local, state and federal courts, including legal research and drafting legal
memoranda., including, without limitation, judicial review and appellate
proceedings.
TO APPLY:
Submit the following:
1) LETTER OF INTEREST
2) RESUME
3) LEGAL WRITING SAMPLE
4) THREE PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES, including their names and daytime
telephone numbers, and a brief description of your relationship.
Submit to:
Ross Armstrong, Esq.,
Executive Director
Nevada Commission on Ethics
Via email (preferred method): ncoe@ethics.nv.gov
*In your cover letter please indicate how you heard about the position. If you heard
about this position through a website, please specify which website.
Applications - Open until filled and interviews may occur at any time.
Closing Date/Time: Until recruitment needs are satisfied