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Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Associate General Counsel)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
District of Columbia, D.C
Closing date
Dec 3, 2020
Duties

Summary

This Position is located in the Legal Division (LD), Regulatory Branch. The LD is the principal legal adviser to the Commission and to leadership in the divisions within the agency on a variety of issues involving the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), rules promulgated thereunder, and other federal statutes having implications for the work and administration of the agency.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position serves as a Supervisory Attorney Advisor (Associate General Counsel) in the Regulatory Branch. The Regulatory Branch primarily provides advice and support to operational divisions and the Commission on a wide range of issues involving the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), rules promulgated thereunder, and other federal statutes having implications for the work and administration of the agency, such as the Administrative Procedures Act, bankruptcy laws, federal securities and banking laws. In particular, the branch provides substantive guidance to the divisions on matters relating to the implementation or interpretation of the CEA and assessing compliance by registered entities with applicable provisions of the CEA and Commission regulations. In this capacity, the branch reviews all Commission initiatives, including rulemakings and orders, as well as staff no-action letters and advisories. The branch also advises on legislative developments that impact the CFTC's programs.

The incumbent has supervisory responsibility over attorneys to include providing guidance to staff; assigning projects and issues, and informs staff attorneys relevant background information which must be considered, and any important policy considerations that will govern developments in the matter; identifying training opportunities and assisting staff in identifying career goals; monitoring staff workload and workflow to ensure productivity and efficiency; establishing clear performance goals and objectives with all staff, serving as first line rating official, and reviewing and updating position descriptions as needed; interviewing , hiring, training, approving or disapproving leave, effecting minor disciplinary measures; hearing and resolving complaints from employees, as well as assuring sound affirmative action and equal employment opportunities. The incumbent also assists the Deputy General Counsel with the development and establishment of program objectives.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Favorable Background/Security Investigation
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Must serve two-year trial period
  • Must serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.


Bar Membership: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application.

Qualifications

CT-15: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and five years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school. At least one year of this experience must have been at a level of responsibility and difficulty to that of the position at the next lower level in the federal service ( e.g ., GS/CT-14) and clearly demonstrated knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties to deal with cases characterized by complex legal or factual issues which require a level of original and creative legal endeavor.

Specialized Experience should include: Extensive knowledge and experience in Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), rules promulgated thereunder, and other Federal statutes having implications for the work and administration of the agency, such as the Administrative Procedure Act, bankruptcy laws, federal securities and banking laws. Thorough knowledge of general administrative law including the Administrative Procedure Act and knowledge of commodity, securities or banking law and/or markets. Outstanding skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues; and Excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

Education

Education: Successful completion of a full course of study (JD) in a school of law.

All academic degrees and course work must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

Bar Membership: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Additional information

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period. You will be subject to a two year trial period.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s)). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

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.

This job is being filled under a Schedule A hiring authority 5 C.F.R. § 213.3102 and is excepted from the competitive civil service. You will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of your experience and education, bar membership, and desired qualifications described above. These positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures. There is no numerical rating system through which to apply veterans' preference; however, CFTC considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume, and to attach supporting documentation ( e.g ., the DD Form-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions. All eligible applicants will be further evaluated by subject-matter experts.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • JD and Bar membership details

Optional Documents

In addition to the required documents, you may submit the following:

- A writing sample demonstrating analysis of complex legal issues.

- Cover 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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