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Student Trainee (Legal, Summer Pathways Intern)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jan 27, 2023
Duties

The CFTC offers substantive legal work that provides interns an opportunity to demonstrate their writing, analytical, and advocacy skills. Law students will be assigned to work with CFTC staff members on projects and assignments that cover a broad range of the Commissions' work.

Interns may be assigned to one of the following Divisions or Offices:

Chairman/Commissioner's Office

Five Commissioners administer the CFTC, all Commissioners are appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The President designates one of the Commissioners to serve as Chairman. The Chairman and Commissioners sponsor advisory committees as well as provide market oversight.

Duties of a legal intern may include:
  • Researching and analyzing market issues
  • Drafting memos summarizing research and briefing the Chairman or Commissioner
  • Drafting public statements
  • Attending meetings with market participants

Division of Enforcement (DOE)

DOE investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and CFTC regulations by filing complaints in the U.S. District Court. The Division also provides expert help and technical assistance with case development and trials.

Duties of a legal intern may include:
  • Researching and writing legal memoranda, including pleadings and papers
  • Reviewing and analyzing evidence in ongoing investigations
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing investigative testimony, depositions, and discovery

Division of Market Oversight (DMO)

DMO fosters open, transparent, fair, competitive, and secure markets through oversight of derivatives platforms, specifically, designated contract markets (DCMs) and swap execution facilities (SEFs).

Duties for the Compliance Branch law student intern include working under the supervision of a special counsel includes:
  • Assist in examining and assessing the adequacy of DCM and SEF self-regulatory and rule enforcement programs.
  • Help in reviewing and assessing DCM designation and SEF registration applications for demonstration of an applicant's ability to comply with the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission regulations.
  • Review and analyze SEF Annual Compliance Reports and draft a summary memorandum.
  • Review and analyze DCM and SEF rules as assigned.

Market Participants Division (MPD)

MPD provides oversight in derivatives market intermediaries, including commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, major swap participants, retail foreign exchange dealers, and swap dealers, as well as designated self-regulatory organizations.

Duties of a legal intern may include:
  • Assisting with technical analyses of intricate regulations and industry governing activities
  • Preparing legal reports and analytical fact summaries
  • Reviewing documents, and conducting background and factual research on swap dealers and futures market intermediaries

Office of International Affairs (OIA)

OIA is responsible for overseeing how the CFTC interacts with its foreign counterparts in multilateral and bilateral fora, assisting the Chairman, Commissioners and staff of the CFTC in analyzing the implications of regulatory policies, advising the CFTC on supervisory cooperation issues, and providing technical assistance to foreign authorities.

Duties of a legal intern may include:
  • Researching, analyzing, and monitoring relevant international standards as well as legislative proposals, statutes, regulatory requirements, advisories, guidance, and market developments
  • Collaborating with OIA staff members in the preparation of briefing memoranda and presentation materials in connection with international meetings attended by the Chairman and senior CFTC staff
  • Assisting and joining CFTC staff in meetings and discussions with external stakeholders and drafting related summaries and analysis


Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Must attend an accredited law school.
  • Relocation expenses will NOT be paid.

  • You must be a U. S. citizen or national
  • Enrolled/accepted in an accredited educational institution
  • Pursuing a law degree (Juris Doctorate Degree)
  • Maintain enrollment at least half time as defined by the institution
  • If selected, official law school transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing a start date
  • Veteran's preference applies in the hiring process. In order to receive preference in hiring, you must clearly identify your claim for veteran's preference when you apply
  • Must maintain eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the internship


Qualifications

Pathways Internship Program Qualifications:
Students must meet the qualifications requirements by May 31, 2023. The Summer Program will begin Jun 5,2023 thru September 30, 2023. Appointments are NOT TO EXCEED 90 days.

To qualify at the GS-7:
  • Students must have completed one year of law school by the beginning of the May 31, 2023.
  • Students must be continuing in legal studies throughout the summer and/or into the Fall of 2023 to be eligible.
  • Students graduating in the Spring of 2023 are not eligible.

To qualify at the GS-9:
  • Students must have completed two years of law school by the beginning of the May 31, 2023
  • Students must be continuing in legal studies throughout the summer and/or into the Fall of 2023 to be eligible.
  • Students graduating in the Spring of 2023 are not eligible.

*If selected at the CT-07 level the full promotion potential is the CT-07. If selected at the CT-09 level the full promotion potential is the CT-09. Temporary positions do not have promotion potential since positions are temporary NTE 9/30/2023.

Education

We will accept applications from currently enrolled law students who will have completed at least one or two years at an accredited law school by May 31, 2023. Applicants must provide a copy of their summer/fall 2023 enrollment/transcript. Final transcripts must be submitted prior to establishing an official start date.

All applications must be received via www.usajobs.gov

You must be accepted for enrollment or are currently enrolled pursuing a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited educational institution.

You must submit a copy of your Law School college transcripts. See the Required Documents section for more information.

U.S. EDUCATION: Institutions located within the United States that have attained accreditation are listed on the U.S. Department of Education's website. To verify your institution's accreditation, please access this website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx

A complete listing of all institutions, including those located outside of U.S. territories, may be found in Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education, a handbook published annually by the American Council on Education (ACE).

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.

Salaries will be adjusted to 2023 salary rates.

By submitting your application you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be terminated after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation before appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (e.g., degree, veterans' documentation, certification of disability, etc.).

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