Duties

Summary

The position is with the Division of Trading and Markets (TM) in the Office of Market Supervision (OMS) located in Washington, DC. If selected, you will join a well-respected team that establishes and maintains standards for fair, orderly, and efficient markets. The Division regulates the major securities market participants, including broker-dealers, self-regulatory organizations (such as stock exchanges, FINRA, and clearing agencies), and transfer agents.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and supervises an active program of regulation of the securities industry, both directly and through supervision of industry self-regulation by the exchanges; organizes projects which may involve review and analysis of significant rule change proposals submitted by self-regulatory organizations (SROs) or the implementation of Commission rulemaking as a means of addressing particular problems in the Commission's regulation of national market system issues.
• Performs the administrative and human resource management functions relative to the staff supervised; plans, schedules, and assigns work to subordinates. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members; provides feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Provides advice, counsel, and/or instruction to staff members and organizes task forces consisting or attorneys and other professionals from within the office.
• Performs independent analysis of legal memoranda and reports prepared by the staff; summarizes factual and legal issues involved; briefs the Director, the Deputy Director, and the Associate Directors with respect thereto and presents recommendations as to proper course of action.
• Assists the Director, the Deputy Director, and the Associate Directors in developing additional rules, regulations and policies in the area of self-regulatory oversight, designed to assure appropriate and effective oversight by self-regulators, the coordination of self-regulators compliance and surveillance programs, and the evolution of new self-regulatory programs.
• Provides professional legal advice and guidance to a range of individuals in SEC and other agencies as appropriate. Advises on questions of structure and operations of the national securities exchanges, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) or the implementation of new regulatory initiatives and policy that affect their operations; serves as SEC's representative for discussions regarding assigned program areas.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
17

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• CITIZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree
• You must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• This position is open to Current employees with the US Securities and Exchange Commission only.
• Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in you not being considered for this position.
• Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
• This position has promotion potential to the SK-17.
• SUPERVISORY TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two-year Supervisory trial period.
• SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
• DRUG TESTING: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
• PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following

• J.D. or LL.B. degree --AND--
• Active membership of the bar in good standing in any state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (Note: proof of bar membership will be required before entry on duty.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.
SK-17: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14 level. Specialized experience includes:

• Interpreting, applying, and explaining the provisions of the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the securities industry, in particular, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
• Providing guidance and expertise in the evaluation of legal and policy issues, addressing securities law issues, analyzing the factual and legal issues involved;
• Explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and developing and justifying recommendations or conclusions.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is available to individuals who have special priority selection rights under this plan. Individuals must be minimally qualified for this position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP eligibles will be considered minimally qualified if they meet the minimum requirements for this position.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation for disability to participate in the application process at the SEC, submit the form for Reasonable Accommodation for Participation in Job Application Process here . Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, sex (not limited to conduct which is sexual in nature, includes pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender status), age (40 and over), religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, retaliation for participating in the EEO process or opposing discrimination. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination. Click here for additional information.

TTY/ASCII: Video Relay Service users are welcome to contact the appropriate SEC office or employee via the contact information listed above. If you do not otherwise have access to a Video Phone or Video Relay service, you may send us an email or use the Federal Video Relay Service via the internet. For more information about using the Federal Relay Service and to create a new account, please see: https://www.federalrelay.us/

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the occupational questionnaire. Your resume must support your responses to the occupational questionnaire. After review of your application materials, if you are determined to be minimally qualified, you will be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies :
Legal, Government and Jurisprudence, Managing Human Resources, Problem Solving, Technical Competence, and Writing

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. To preview the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10995893 .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

• Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
• Required: Your complete and comprehensive resume that includes a complete history of your work experience and the applicable employment dates with months and years. To determine if you qualify for this position, OHR will review your work history that is relevant to the specific position for which you applied. If you are an external candidate selected for this position, OHR will review your complete work history to establish your starting salary. If selected for this position, the standard percentage increases will be applied (i.e., 8% for supervisory positions) if your selection results in a promotion. If your selection results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) you will maintain your current salary. Note: Your resume must directly address the definition of specialized experience listed in the qualification section of this announcement and must NOT contain pictures.

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.