Ethics Education and Training
Initial Education Training
The BOR Initial Ethics Training (IET) course focuses on government ethics laws and regulations, including the concepts required by 5 C.F.R. § 2638.304(e)(1). The course is presented as a series of seven (7) lessons discussing the following topics:
- Criminal Conflict of Interest;
- Representational Conflict of Interest;
- Impartiality;
- Misuse of Position;
- Gifts from Outside Sources;
- Gifts between Employees; and
- Political Activities (Hatch Act).
The BOR Ethics Team delivers the IET course via (1) “live” presentations via Zoomgov (or similar platforms) and (2) an interactive DOI Talent online module.
All new DOI employees must complete IET within three months of their date of accession to BOR. Employees transferring without a break in service from another DOI agency/department will not need to complete IET, if IET was completed at their prior DOI agency/department. If an employee has a break in service from DOI, IET must be completed within three months of rejoining DOI/BOR. All temporary/seasonal workers must also complete IET within three months of joining BOR.
“Live” IET classes will be delivered by a BOR Associate Ethics Counselor or Deputy Ethics Counselor. Dates for these trainings can be found in DOI Talent.
Annual Ethics Training for Financial Disclosure Report Filers
The BOR Ethics Team offers Annual Ethics Training (AET) for all required Financial Disclosure Report filers. Both AET for Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 450) filers and AET for Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 278) filers focuses on government ethics laws and regulations including:
- Criminal Conflict of Interest;
- Impartiality;
- Interest in Federal Land;
- Misuse of Position;
- Gifts;
- Outside Employment and Activities;
- Representational Conflict of Interest;
- Political Activity (Hatch Act); and
- Post-Government Employment.
AET for BOR employees is only offered live. No interactive or on-demand module is available. BOR Filers must complete the BOR specific AET course. BOR Filers may not substitute a training course offered outside BOR for their AET training requirement.
All New Entrant Filers who file their New Entrant Report prior to October 1st, and are not required to complete Initial Ethics Training, must complete AET in the same calendar year as their New Entrant Report. New Entrant Filers required to complete Initial Ethics Training and New Entrant Filers who file their New Entrant Report between October 1st and December 31st, are not required to complete AET until the following calendar year.
AET for OGE 450 Filers is presented by a BOR Associate Ethics Counselor or by the Deputy Ethics Counselor. This training is presented via Zoomgov (or similar platforms). Live in-person trainings may also be scheduled from time to time. Dates for AET for OGE 450 Filers can be found in DOI Talent. This training must be completed by July 31st of the calendar year for all Annual Filers.
OGE 450 Filers required to complete AET are automatically assigned the OGE 450 AET program in DOI Talent. If you are an OGE 450 Filer required to complete AET and were not assigned the BOR OGE 450 AET course in DOI Talent, please reach out to Jennifer Beinart (see below for contact information).
AET for OGE 278 Filers is presented by the BOR Deputy Ethics Counselor or a BOR Associate Ethics Counselor during a monthly RLT meeting. OGE 278 Filers who miss this training, will be trained one-on-one by the BOR Associate Ethics Counselor for their region/office.
If you have additional questions and/or need additional information regarding the above-referenced Ethics Trainings, please contact Jennifer Beinart, Ethics Counselor via jennifer.beinart@sol.doi.gov or telephone (303) 445-2714.
