Seeking Employment

While you are on a IPA assignment, you might decide to look for a permanent position outside of the Government, maybe even with the non-Federal organization that you are working with.

What if you're approached by your host organization about a permanent job while on an IPA assignment? As per 18 U.S.C. 208 (a criminal statute), you must disqualify yourself from participation in any particular matter that will have a direct and predictable effect on the financial interests of your host organization.

You must disqualify yourself if you start negotiating prospective employment, no matter who makes the first contact. To disqualify yourself, you should notify your EPA supervisor (written notification is best). Disqualification ends when you or the host organization reject the possibility of employment and all discussions of future employment ceases.

Alternatively, you could seek a waiver under 18 U.S.C. 208 that would allow you do participate in the particular matter. When in doubt, ask your ethics officials!

Example: You are on an IPA assignment to the University of South Woebegone. They are so impressed with your work, that they want to offer you a full-time position to manage all their Government grants and contracts and to fund raise for the university. If you start negotiating employment with them, you may have to disqualify yourself from any matter concerning grants/contracts with the University. You may even have to end your IPA assignment.