Associate General Counsel II – Ethics Investigations & Compliance

At WSSC Water, we are passionate about our one water mission and devoted to delivering safe, seamless, and satisfying service to our 1.9 million customers. It takes teamwork to deliver the essential, which is why we proudly call ourselves Team H2O – working together, sharing our talents and creativity to safeguard public health and protect the environment.

WSSC Water seeks an Associate General Counsel II – Ethics Investigations & Compliance to investigate and litigate potential violations and other matters involving ethics. Counsel is responsible for conducting complex investigations into alleged misconduct and unethical business practices and providing high-level legal advice to the Ethics Officer and the Board of Ethics on complex ethical matters to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, will assist with compliance and training.

Key Functions:

• Conducts comprehensive internal investigations of alleged misconduct of anyone or entity subject to the Code of Ethics (Code) and related ethics policies and procedures, including conducting initial assessments, defining scope, developing investigative plans, interviewing witnesses, reviewing documentary evidence, and analyzing findings.
• Drafts clear, concise and objective fact-based investigation reports while maintaining well-organized and accurate case files.
• Conducts legal research and analysis on conflicts of interest, employee misconduct, and procurement ethics, and prepares timely and detailed verbal and written reports on findings.
• Prepares, reviews and provides updates on legal briefs, pleadings, opinions, legal memoranda, and various other legal documents to the Ethics Officer and Board of Ethics on investigations and other work, as appropriate.
• Develops and provides training on the Code and related ethics topics to individuals subject to the Code and other applicable ethics regulations.
• Evaluates existing and proposed amendments to Maryland’s Public Ethics Law, Public Utilities Article, and other legislation and regulations to determine the impact of such measures on WSSC’s ethics program and Ethics Office operations.
• Reviews and drafts WSSC regulations and standard operating procedures related to ethics, as needed.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the WSSC Board of Ethics, Office of Inspector General, the General Counsel Office (GCO), State Ethics Commission, law enforcement, investigators, consultants, and other entities, internally and externally, on investigations, issues of law, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Assists in the development of investigative policies and processes, including case intake, administration, and developing case management systems.
• Assists Ethics Officer in reviewing, drafting and editing legal reports and correspondence.
• Analyzes information developed during investigations to identify, assess, and evaluate potential legal and compliance risks, providing recommendations to Ethics Officer to mitigate risks and improve internal controls.
• Communicates and collaborates with WSSC officials related to job duties.
• Determines whether investigative findings establish reasonable cause to believe there has been a violation of Maryland and/or Federal law, i.e., whether the evidence is legally sufficient to warrant referral to the Maryland State’s Attorney or other authorities for further investigation, criminal prosecution.
• Remains informed about evolving legal and ethical standards, including updates on relevant regulations, case law and best practices related to ethics.
• Assists other attorneys in litigation and administrative enforcement actions involving ethics cases, as needed.

Requirements:

• Law school graduate and 5 years of professional legal experience
• 3 years’ experience conducting investigations for a corporation or government agency
• Current member of the Maryland Bar

Preferences:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Maryland public ethics laws and WSSC Water’s mission and functions
• Experience working with and advising boards

To learn more about WSSC Water, please visit www.wsscwater.com.To review the complete job description and apply for the Associate General Counsel II - Ethics role (vacancy #25-0224), please visit WSSC Water Careers at Careers | WSSC Water. EOE M/V/D