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Supervisory Economist (Deputy Chief Economist)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jul 16, 2019
Duties

Summary

The Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), conducts research on major policy issues facing the CFTC; assesses the economic impact of regulatory changes on derivatives & related commodities and financial markets; participates in the development of CFTC rulemakings; partners with other CFTC Offices & Divisions to provide quantitative & economic analysis for the Commission; conducts special studies & evaluations; & produces public-facing research targeting the general public & academic audiences.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Deputy Chief Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist (OCE), serves as a consult and senior advisor to senior CFTC policymakers. The Deputy Chief Economist in consultation with the Chief Economist, initiates, develops plans, manages and/or conducts studies related to each program area of the Office of the Chief Economist and provides assistance to the Chief Economist in the day-today administration of the Office of the Chief Economist. This will include the following:
  • Conducting economic and financial research relevant to the formulation and implementation of Commission policy.
  • Providing, support to Commission programs, such as economic reviews of proposed trading rules and systems, or the analysis of proposed net capital and margin rules.
  • Performing research on, evaluation of, economic functions and information efficiency of exchange-traded and over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives. Additional duties associated with this responsibility include the following: 1) the examination of the impact of futures or futures options on volatility, liquidity or underlying assets; 2) analyzing the basis and spread behaviors and hedging effectiveness of alternative futures contracts, and 3) evaluating the impact of private and public information on futures price behaviors.
  • Conducting special market studies, such as the congressionally-requested analysis of specific market events.
  • Provision of guidance and expert analytical support to the operating divisions and other offices of the Commission. Provides analytical support and assistance to other government agencies, such as the US Department of Agriculture, the US Attorney's Office's, or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • Assists the Chief Economist in establishing office procedures preparing budget documents, and monitoring the work of the office.
  • Performs research and technical support in the areas of derivative risk management models and risk-based capital requirements for futures commission merchants.
  • Performs research and provides expert technical advice on the microstructure of the futures markets to senior-level Commission staff. Expert technical advice includes the following: 1) evaluations of alternative execution methods in futures markets, such as open outcry versus electronic trading systems, market fragmentation versus market integration issues, economics of block trading and 2) evaluating alternative measures of market liquidity, volatility and co-movements, of futures prices in futures markets.
  • Recommends to the Chief Economist the initiation and development of new analytical projects, changes in procedures and analytical approaches, and alternative program directions for the purpose of better achieving mission-critical objectives and strategic goals.
  • Identifies and analyzes policy issues relating to the economic aspects of derivative markets and develops recommendations that may result in basic changes in the office procedures or the Commission's or the Commission's approaches to the regulation of futures and options on futures trading mechanics.
  • Assures that contacts with other agency offices and divisions are coordinated effectively with respect to day-to-day operations of the office. Confers with, furnishes information to, and makes commitments to other offices and divisions relative to policies procedures, and specific projects.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
16

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Background/Security Investigation
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Relevant experience (see Qualifications below)
  • May be required to serve a 1 yr managerial/supervisory probationary period.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform at an executive level.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet both the basic requirement and specialized experience for the positions.

Basic Requirement

Applicants must possess one of the following-

A) Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. (Transcripts MUST be submitted) -OR

B) Possession of courses equivalent to a major as shown in A above plus additional education or appropriate experience. (Transcripts MUST be submitted)

In addition to the basic requirements for this position:

To qualify for the CT-16, you must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the CT/GS-15 level in Federal Service or comparable experience gained outside Federal Service. Specialized Experience is defined as: experience with managing staff in the completion of significant projects and the achievement of significant objectives, conducting and managing economic and financial research at a level suitable for publication in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, giving policy advice to executives at the level of director or higher, and collaborating across organizational lines on agency-wide issues. In addition, the incumbent must have a comprehensive knowledge about, and deep experience involving, derivatives products, markets, and market participants.

However, candidates who are selected for the position must provide documentation of completing all educational requirements prior to entering on duty.

A copy of your official transcript(s) are also required prior to your first day

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

Translated transcripts are required. Only education/experience obtained by 11:59 pm EST on the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Desired Qualifications:
Comprehensive, professional knowledge of the derivatives industry, and the ability to provide economic analysis of industry activities.

Education

Additional information

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Supervisory Probationary Period. You will be subject to a one year supervisory probationary period, if not previously completed.

Veterans Preference. If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume.
  • In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
  • In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
  • Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated," veteran preference eligible are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-disconnected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).
EEO Policy Statement. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, genetic information, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Reasonable Accommodation. Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and it will be placed in one of three predefined categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified based on the criteria described above. Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference who have supplied all appropriate documentation will be listed at the top of the category in which they are placed. Minimally qualified preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category. Best Qualified applicants will be referred to the Selecting Official first.

You will be evaluated on the following technical and leadership requirements. Please ensure that your cover letter and resume address these qualifications.

Leadership Qualifications:

1. Leading Change - The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

2. Leading People - The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals. Inherent is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

3. Results Driven -The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

4. Business Acumen - The ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

5. Building Coalitions - The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Technical Qualification:
  • Technical knowledge and understanding of the national and international economic institutions related to derivative markets, a thorough familiarity with economic and financial aspects of swaps, futures and option trading, accepted analytical techniques relative to the analysis of economic relationships, and a thorough knowledge of the Commission's policies and regulations regarding the economic aspects of futures trading.
  • Professional competency as to accuracy and critical evaluation, and holds the incumbent professionally accountable for the analytical soundness of conclusions and recommendations.
  • The ability to conduct and supervise original research in economics and finance, as evidenced by completed papers presented at academic conferences and published in scholarly journals.

  • To preview questions please click here .

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Other

    Drug test required
    No

    Required Documents

    • Cover Letter
    • Resume
    • Responses to the Technical and Leadership Qualifications
    • Veteran preference documentation, if applicable.
    If you are requesting veterans' preference you must submit (as applicable):
    • Copy of Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty);
    • Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference;
    • VA Letter


    If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

    Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

    Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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