Clarification from the agency

This position is open to: all U.S. citizens.

As Counsel to the Commissioner, duties and responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Commissioner in analyzing rulemakings and other proposals before the Commission and working with other Commission staff to develop language to effectuate the Commission's business; successful applicants may be assigned to focus on a specific substantive area, such as corporation finance, investment management, or trading and markets.
• Reviewing enforcement recommendations.
• Drafting speeches, other remarks, and talking points for the Commissioner.
• Accompanying, representing, or acting for the Commissioner at conferences and meetings as directed by the Commissioner (may involve travel to domestic and international locations).
• Planning itineraries for, and accompanying the Commissioner on official travel, which may include international travel.
• Independently meeting with top management officials and other staff of the agency and other foreign, international, federal, state, and private individuals to have an up-to-date view of a wide variety of program and policy issues.
• Coordinating the Commissioner's engagement with external stakeholders.
• Assisting the Commissioner with recommendations on how to improve the Commission's operations and regulatory policy.
• Working with highly confidential and sensitive documents and information.
• Analyzing international and financial stability topics, including work product from the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Financial Stability Board, and the International Organization of Securities Commissions.
• Applying various laws, regulations, and administrative orders generally applicable to government agencies, such as the Freedom of Information Act, the Public Records Act, the Government in the Sunshine Act, the Federal Travel Regulations, and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch.

Conditions of employment

• CITIZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree and you must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• This position is open to U.S. 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 and may be filled from any division or office within the agency.
• This position has promotion potential to the SK-16.
• 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.
• 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.
• This is a term position not-to-exceed 1 year from the date of appointment to the position, with the possibility of an extension.
• This appointment may be extended. Applicants should also be available for possible extension, if needed.
• 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.
• DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.

To be considered at the SK-16 level - Candidate must possess at least six (6) years post-J.D experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, and providing legal solutions/recommendations. Applicant also must have four (4) years of specialized experience:

• Interpreting and applying the provisions of the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the securities industry, in particular, the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
• Evaluating legal and policy issues relating to corporate and securities laws;
• Providing legal advice and guidance on securities matters;
• Managing numerous initiatives, all of which are on expedited timelines; and
• Communicating effectively with senior officials verbally and in writing.
• Applicant may disclose any specialized experience in the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Uniform Securities Act and state securities laws, and/or the Administrative Procedure Act as well as any experience with respect to economics and financial theory.

How you will be evaluated

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

All applicants will be notified of their application status once the vacancy announcement has closed. Applicants that have a tentative eligible rating will be referred to the hiring office for review.

The resume review panel, designated by the hiring office, will review your application. Your resume must demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Additional application materials submitted outside of the USAJOBs system or after the position is closed will not be accepted, unless requested by the hiring office as part of the evaluation process (e.g. writing sample).

Once the resume review panel has completed their review of all applicants, they will recommend the top candidates for interview. The hiring office will schedule the interview(s) directly with the recommended candidates.

When the selection is made, applicants will be sent a referral status notification and a final disposition notification.