Clarification from the agency

This position is open to SEC employees only.

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At the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and value a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the communities we serve. As such, we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds who share our commitment to public service.

The Division of Examinations conducts the SEC's National Exam Program. The Division's mission is to protect investors, ensure market integrity and support responsible capital formation through risk-focused strategies that: (1) improve compliance; (2) prevent fraud; (3) monitor risk; and (4) inform policy. The results of the Division's examinations are used by the SEC to inform rule-making initiatives, identify and monitor risks, improve industry practices and pursue misconduct.

The Associate Regional Director, under the immediate direction of the Regional Director, plans and establishes staffing needs, work streams and policy for the Broker Dealer Examination Program of the Division of Examinations in the Chicago Regional Office (CHRO) and directs, coordinates, controls, and evaluates the performance in this area. The BDX examination program is responsible for conducting exams of broker-dealers, national securities exchanges, transfer agents, municipal advisors, securities-based swaps dealers, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.

Typical duties include:

• Collaborating with headquarters, other regional offices and appropriate divisions in determining national and regional examination priorities.
• Developing and leading national and regional initiatives and priority examinations.
• Triaging market events to determine impact to registrants and securities markets more broadly, and coordinating with headquarters and other regions about an appropriate response.
• Interacting with the examination staff and registrants on complex and novel issues identified on examinations.
• Informing and interacting with the policy divisions, including on novel and complex issues identified during examinations, that affect interpretations or guidance of Commission rules and regulations.
• In conjunction with headquarters staff, planning and evaluating the overall program of the Region with respect to compliance/examinations matters.
• Ensuring that the overall compliance and examination activities are carried out consistent with overall Commission and Division guidelines and priorities.
• Performing the full range of supervisory duties, including evaluating employee performance; evaluating staffing needs and hiring, making recommendations for appointment and promotion; hearing and resolving complaints; identifying development and training needs of employees; and other related supervisory tasks.
• Communicating with FINRA and other self-regulatory organizations in order to monitor the operational and financial condition of securities industry registrants within the region.
• Contacting and collaborating with high-ranking officials from other federal agencies and departments of government, congressional staff officials, state officials, and/or executives of comparable private sector organizations.
• Participating in and/or planning public speaking events to educate the industry and general public about examination and Commission priorities.
• Promoting the spirit and practice of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to ensure the accomplishment of the Commission's DEIA objectives, and adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices.

Conditions of employment

• This position is open to current SEC employees only.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree.
• You must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• CITIZENSHIP: This position is open to US Citizens.
• 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 SO-02.
• TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two year supervisory/managerial 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.
• For consideration at the SO-2 level, you must currently hold a SO-2 position within the SEC.
• This position is eligible to request telework in accordance with the SEC 's telework policy.
• Consistent with 5 U.S.C. § 7511, you will be required to serve a two-year trial period (one year for preference eligible veterans) if the position to which you have applied is not the same or similar to your current position of record.

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.

• SO-01: Applicant must have at least four years of post J.D. work experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least three years of specialized experience:
  1. Interpreting and applying the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
  2. Providing guidance and evaluation on policy issues related to the federal securities laws; investigating possible violations of federal securities laws and regulations;
  3. Examining or investigating broker dealers, municipal securities dealers, municipal advisers, transfer agents, exchanges, investment advisers or investment companies; and
  4. Managing a team or group that conducts examinations, audits, or investigations of financial or securities firms.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational Questionnaire. All applicants may provide narrative responses (500 words or less per question) addressing the executive (core) and technical qualifications. After the announcement closing date, you will receive an email asking you to respond to the core and technical qualifications. You must provide your responses within the established deadline.

Based on the information provided in the narrative responses and resume, a rating panel will rate/rank candidates and place them in the following quality category groupings:

• Highly Qualified: indicates that the candidate meets the criteria to an extent predictive of outstanding performance of the related duties.
• Well Qualified: indicates that the candidate meets the criteria to an extent predictive of excellent performance of the related duties.
• Qualified: indicates that the candidate meets the criteria to an extent predictive of fully successful performance of the related duties.

1. Management Experience: Experience designing and implementing strategies which maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals.
2. Leading Change/Achieving Results: Experience developing and implementing an organizational vision which integrates key national and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors of that organization. Examples should include experience implementing change in their organization, exercising leadership and motivating managers to incorporate vision and strategic planning into the process.
3. Building Coalitions/Communications: Experience explaining, advocating, and expressing facts and ideas (both orally and in writing) in a convincing manner. Experience working with the press, political appointees, Congress, and other high-level organizations and staff on various types of important national issues. Experience includes working in groups and teams conducting briefings with outside groups and gaining cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.

1. Knowledge and understanding of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
2. Knowledge of and exposure to the operations and/or the examination of clearing agencies, broker-dealers, exchanges, security-based swap dealers, funding portals, transfer agents, municipal advisors, municipal securities dealers, investment advisers and investment companies.
3. Ability to analyze novel complex problems and devise innovative solutions.