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Futures Trading Investigator

Commodity Futures Trading Commission
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Division of Enforcement (DOE) and the incumbent serves as a Futures Trading Investigator responsible for conducting reviews and analysis of possible violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations, including price manipulation, illegal trade practices on any contract market regulated by the Commission. This position is located in Chicago, IL.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
03/04/2024 to 03/18/2024
Salary
$142,599 to - $209,458 per year
Pay scale & grade
CT 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Chicago, IL
Few vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time - Full Time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14 - Full Promotion Potential CT-14
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CFTC-DOE-2024-0004
Control number
779483600

Duties

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As a Futures Trading Investigator within the Division of Enforcement, at the full performance level, the incumbent performs a variety of investigative, analytical, and forensic duties in support of the Commission's enforcement program. Responsibilities include planning and conducting selected investigations into possible violations of the Act and Commission Regulations, such as manipulation, fraud, and illegal trade practices involving futures contracts, leverage contracts, off-exchange foreign currency contracts, options, swaps, and digital assets; drafting memoranda and detailed investigative reports concerning possible violations of the Act and Regulations; and providing technical assistance to enforcement attorneys in the prosecution of administrative and civil enforcement actions.

Primary duties includes:

  • Conducts preliminary inquiries into suspected violations of the Act and Regulations and reports findings and recommendations.
  • Prepares an overall investigative plan, which outlines the tasks to be accomplished, by whom they are to be done, and a target date for completion.
  • Interviews members of the commodity trade and the public to develop evidence; reports on these interviews; obtains signed statements or affidavits; assists in the planning and taking of investigative testimony and depositions;
  • Obtains, examines, and studies the records of brokerage houses, wholesale dealers, commodity traders, warehouses, processors, and exchanges; and performs other required investigative tasks.
  • Provides sworn testimony in depositions and district court proceedings.
  • Applies standardized analytical techniques and guidelines to the specific situation under investigation. Develops and documents original analytical approaches or methods.
  • Analyzes information obtained and formulates comprehensive reports of findings.
  • Reviews and examines investigative findings and participates in discussions to determine whether Commission action should be recommended.
  • Provides technical guidance and support to other regulatory and law enforcement agencies.
  • Participates in the agency’s training program and contributes in the analysis of trading documents.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Background/Security Investigation
  • Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service

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Qualifications

Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level equivalent to CT/GS-12 in the Federal service, or comparable experience.  

Specialized experience is defined:

  • Experience investigating derivatives, digital assets, securities, and/or physical commodities or participants who regularly use such products;
  • Experience auditing derivatives, digital assets, securities, and/or physical commodities or participants who regularly use such products; or
  • Experience regulating derivatives, digital assets, securities, and/or physical commodities or participants who regularly use such products.

Selections will be made at the CT-13 grade level with promotion potential to CT-14.

Education

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Additional information

All employees are required to follow the Agency’s telework policy. If selected, you will be required to report to your assigned duty station to complete all onboarding procedures.

This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.

Relocation. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Probationary Period.  May be required to serve a one year probationary period.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA). VEOA allows eligible veterans to apply and compete for position announced under merit promotion procedures when the hiring agency is recruiting from outside its own workforce.  To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed (3) or more years of continuous active military service.  If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this vacancy announcement.

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.

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

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of two categories: Best Qualified or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
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