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SECURITIES COMPLIANCE EXAMINER - RISK STRATEGIST

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Examinations

Summary

The Division of Examinations (EXAMS) is seeking Securities Compliance Examiner - Risk Strategist in the Office of Broker-Dealers (BDX and Office of Investment Advisers and Investment Companies (IA/IC). As a Risk Strategist you will conduct risk analysis and analytical studies of broker-dealers or investment advisors and investment companies.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
04/28/2026 to 05/12/2026
This job will close when we have received 100 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more
Salary
$161,608 - $292,300 per year

Starting salary is based on experience. The range is listed for informational purposes. Initial pay will be set below the maximum. See more below.

Pay scale & grade
SK 16
Locations
Few vacancies in the following locations:
Denver, CO
Washington, DC
Miami, FL
Atlanta, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel averages 5 days a month.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
16
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
26-DE-12947024-CSS
Control number
867082900

Duties

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The mission of EXAMS 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.

If selected, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for supporting EXAMS' mission to conduct and coordinate the nationwide examination program for broker dealer entities or investment advisors/investment companies over which the Commission has regulatory authority.

As a Risk Strategist, you will:

  • Provide expert advice and assistance to senior managers and teams as to the planning, conducting, and defining the scope examinations in the form of clear summaries and both verbal and written presentations;
  • Apply extensive knowledge of the broker dealer or investment advisory/investment company industry or securities compliance examinations in the conduct of risk analysis of entities being (or potentially being) examined by the agency; monitor risks by utilizing information from a wide range of tools and methods including expansive databases, models, and industry publications and experts; and analyze and evaluate data, identifying trends, concerns, emerging risks to suggest focus areas for agency priorities, initiatives and examinations;
  • Maintain a strong awareness of regulatory changes and evolving industry standards to ensure examination strategies remain current;
  • As an expert resource working with senior management and staff, assist with developing and refining the examination plans in response to emerging market intelligence and changes in the population of registrants; conduct surveillance activities on the broker dealer or investment advisor/investment company population; establish risk-based selection methodologies for identification of exam candidates; identify factors for selection of entities for risk-based examinations; analyze and evaluate tips and complaints; and monitor program for alignment with priorities and progress toward goals;
  • Plan, organize, and carry through to completion analytical studies and special projects of a breath and intensity requiring subject matter expertise and in-depth knowledge of the assigned area as well as an awareness of the most recent and novel trends in the industry;
  • Collaborate with other risk strategists to provide analysis and input on internal risk assessment policies and procedures and make suggestions for enhancements to promote consistency, policy effectiveness and improve operational efficiencies;
  • Identify, analyze, and communicate intelligence on unique and novel issues to exam staff and senior management; and
  • Contribute to training efforts by assisting with internal trainings to broaden staff expertise.
Vacancies are in the following EXAMS programs and duty locations:
  • BDX: Atlanta, Boston, DC, Miami and Philadelphia
  • IA/IC: Denver and Miami

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • CITZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
  • SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/)
  • 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.
  • PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:
SK-16:
Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14 level. Specialized experience includes:

  1. Analyzing data and information to identify emerging risks related to broker-dealers, clearing agencies, transfer agents, municipal advisers, investment advisers, investment companies, security-based swap dealers, private funds or self-regulatory organizations; AND
  2. Providing briefings to senior management.; AND
  3. Developing recommendations and/or reports of findings to address and resolve issues related to broker-dealers, clearing agencies, transfer agents, municipal advisers, investment advisers, investment companies, security-based swap dealers, private funds or self-regulatory organizations.
ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:
  • Analysis and Risk Assessment: Analyzes information to assess an entity's level of risk for deficiencies in various focus areas.
  • Critical Thinking: Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.
  • Information Gathering: Ability to gather and process large amounts of information and make connections to understand possible deficiencies.
  • Managing Information (core): Ability to ensure that programs strategically utilize and share information, with some guidance.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

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.

Salary Ranges:

  • Atlanta:
    • $161,608 - $274,456
  • Boston:
    • $173,083 - $292,300
  • Miami:
    • $162,757 -$276,407
  • Philadelphia:
    • $168,396 - $285,985
  • Washington DC:
    • $185,350 - $292.300

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range. The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please visit the agency's Compensation Overview page for more information.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, click here.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not I/CTAP eligible. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; the questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility (2) be rated well-qualified; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. View information about I/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application process due to a medical disability, please contact reasonableaccommodation@sec.gov. For religious-based accommodations, please contact religiousaccommodation@sec.gov . 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: For more information, please click here.

The Fair Chance Act prohibits specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal or credit background unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. An applicant may submit a complaint, or any other information, to the agency within 30 calendar days of the date of alleged non-compliance by contacting the Legal and Policy Office in the Office of Human Resources at ElliottT@sec.gov.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

When Securities and Exchange Commissioncompletes its hiring, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results shared to be considered for employment with additional agencies. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.

Your resume and application package will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements outlined in this announcement.

Your qualifications will be assessed through a two-step screening process:

  1. Minimum Qualifications Resume Review
  2. Accomplishment Record Review
If you are found minimally qualified through the minimum qualifications review, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. Accomplishment Record narrative should clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section. Submitting a Performance Appraisal does not fulfill the requirement for an Accomplishment Record. Click here for help with writing your Accomplishment Record.

Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims made in your Accomplishment Record narratives; both documents must effectively showcase your qualifications. Each competency narrative should detail one specific, relevant example from your training or experience. Please limit each response to a maximum of 300 words, as any text beyond this limit will not be considered during the evaluation. You will upload one document with your narrative responses addressing each of the competencies. Your responses must be in the below format:

Competency Title
  • Position title and dates from your resume that this experience was obtained
  • Describe the situation (i.e., the challenged faced, the problem solved)
  • Describe the specific actions you took
  • State the outcome, results, or long-term impact of your accomplishment
  • Name and email address of someone who can verify this information
Basis for Rating: The rating panel will evaluate applicants' accomplishment records and resume, then place them into one of the following categories:
  • Highly Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has extensive skills and experience in most of the job related competencies.
  • Well Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job related competencies.
  • Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but may have a limited amount of experience in several of the job related competencies.
Top ranked applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration. The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s).

To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947024

Securities and Exchange Commission

Our mission includes advocating for investors who seek to secure a future for their family, providing guidance and regulations for the nation's securities industry in an increasingly global market, and taking action with an eye toward promoting the capital formation necessary to sustain economic growth.

A career with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offers work that is exciting, challenging and rewarding. You can contribute to securities regulation and enforcement while making a positive difference for the American investing public. The SEC provides:

  • Careers that broaden and deepen your already accomplished knowledge, skills and abilities;
  • An environment that allows you to work and learn with the nation's experts;
  • Benefits, compensation and career expansion opportunities; and
  • A balance between your professional and family life.
The SEC offers a number of enhanced pay and benefits plus the standard Federal benefits. Please be sure to visit the SEC's compensation and benefits program pages.

Agency contact information

ask HR
Email
askHR@sec.gov
Address
Division of Examinations
100 F Street NE
Washington, DC 20549
US

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https://www.sec.gov.

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