Duties

Summary

This Division of Data (DOD) serves as the leading authority on the Commission's data strategies. The DOD is comprised of two branches, Data Policy and Standards and Data Operations. If selected for this position, you will serve as a Senior Special Counsel to the Chief Data Officer (CDO), supporting the CDO on developing the Division's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values, including how they are communicated to the Division and integrated into the Division's strategies and objectives.

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Responsibilities

If selected for this position, you will serve as Senior Special Counsel to the Division Director on policy or legal issues characterized by one or more of the following: (1) extremely complex and difficult legal, factual, or policy issues requiring a high order of legal endeavor with the incumbent regularly having to balance conflicting interests; (2) matters that can have the effect of substantially broadening or restricting the activities of the CFTC or have an important impact on a major industry whose economic position affects the financial stability of the general economy; or (3) the matter involves, directly or indirectly, significant financial resources to be invested in data and technology by market participants and that would frequently be vigorously contested by extremely capable legal talent. As counsel to the Director, the incumbent is responsible for the analysis of legal and policy issues, and the content and means of delivery of the completed analysis of the legal issue. In addition you will;

• Support the Director on developing the Division's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values, including how they are communicated to the Division and integrated into the Division's strategies and objectives.

• Consult and advise the Director concerning the interpretation and application of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission Regulations, as well as, other laws and regulations and international coordination efforts that may impact the Division's programs. Analyze and prepare recommendations regarding legal or economic principles that may impact the Division's programs. Provide expert legal and technical advice in regard to the Director for Division policy initiatives.

• Identify and analyze problems, and render legal opinions on complex legal questions including questions which implicate multiple areas of law for which there is often no clear legal precedent. Actively participate and contribute to the development of protocols and policies on all matters affecting program activities and administration within the Division's responsibilities. Monitor new developments in derivatives trading and practices and exchange operations and practices for their impact on the Commission's data strategy, and adjust internal procedures or operations to ensure optimal performance.

• Analyze proposed legislation that could impact the Commission's data strategies to identify the possible effects of such legislation upon the Commission, markets, and the public. Explore and develop ideas, evaluate problems, and implement courses of action in areas, most of which would be unprecedented or where precedent and past practice do not serve emerging needs.

• Represent the Division in communications with experts in industry, private and professional associations, self-regulatory bodies, and governmental agencies regarding legal issues relating to the Division's programs. In consultation with other Divisions, confer with officials of exchanges, swap data repositories, and clearinghouses in promoting and securing compliance with the Act and Commission data rules. Represent the Division in communications with the Commission and other senior leaders regarding legal issues relating to the Division's programs.

• Serve as liaison to the Division of Enforcement with respect to reviewing investigations and settlements for consistency with Division policy. Serve as liaison to the Division of Clearing and Risk, Market Participants Division, and Division of Market Oversight with respect to policy initiatives for consistency with Division policy, and review rules and other proposals of a legal and policy nature from these Divisions.

• Act as liaison among teams within DoD, formulating and providing direction regarding issues affecting the teams and Division programs. Perform independent analysis of legal memoranda and reports prepared by the staff and others; summarize factual, legal, and policy issues involved, brief the Director with respect thereto; and present recommendations as to the proper course of action.

• Institute policies and procedures directed toward improving the team's efficiency and effectiveness. Assist the Director in Division strategy and efficiency improvements. Lead multiple projects of a sensitive nature under tight time deadlines. Oversee special projects as assigned by the Director and performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
• Time In Grade

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: You must have at least 5 successful years of legal practice, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CT-14 level in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience must include:

•Demonstrated skill in research and analysis of sophisticated legal issues, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills.

•Knowledge of commodities or related law and regulations, financial markets, corporate law, and general administrative law.

• Knowledge of derivatives markets, including futures, options, and swap markets, and clearing for these markets.

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.

Education

Successful completion of a full course of study (JD) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

Additional information

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Time In Grade. You must meet time in grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Trial Period. You may 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 non service-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 CFR 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
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

• Resume citing relevant experience.
• JD and Bar membership details.
• Transcripts (may be unofficial).
• Performance Appraisal

Optional Documents

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

- A Writing Sample demonstrating analysis of complex legal issues.

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.