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Junior Examiner - EXAMS

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Examinations (EXAMS)
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Division of Examinations is seeking an early-career Securities Compliance Examiner (Junior Examiner - EXAMS), SK-1831-09/11 in the Office of Broker-Dealers (BDX), Office of FINRA and Securities Industry Oversight (FSIO), Office of Investment Advisers andInvestment Companies (IA/IC), Office of Clearance Settlement (OCS), and Private Funds Unit (PFU) in various locations.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open date: 09/30/2026
Closed date: 10/05/2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$71,465 - $173,182 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 9 - 11
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for an estimated 5 days per month for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-OCES-13050870-CSS
Control number
886932500

This job is open to

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All US Citizens

Duties

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The mission of the Division of Examinations 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.

In this role as a Junior Examiner - EXAMS, you will be responsible for:

  • Working as a member of a team of examiners with various levels of experience and professional backgrounds to conduct examinations of investment companies and investment advisers;
  • Evaluating possible risks to investors and the financial markets of registered securities-related financial institutions' business models and practices based on review and analysis, through modern quantitative techniques when possible, of information reported by the institutions to the SEC and other internal and external data sources;
  • Executing risk-based examination plans, which frequently involves: (i) analyzing a financial institution's operations and procedures, sales practices, supervisory systems, books and records, and financial statements, (ii) reviewing investigatory complaints, (iii) investigating new financial products, (iv) examining specialized securities, (v) interviewing principals of registrants, and/or (vi) analyzing performance calculations to assess the level of compliance with federal securities laws and/or self-regulatory requirements; and
  • Developing recommendations and reports, presenting and defending findings, and collaborating as required with legal staff.

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.
  • The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.
  • Typical Examiner Travel: Examination staff routinely travel to the offices of registered entities to conduct on-site inspections of facilities, to meet with and interview entity personnel, and to examine certain business records.
  • Duplicative applications to this announcement over the period of time the announcement is open will not be considered.

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. Additional qualifications information can be found here.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:

SK-09: Applicant must have at least one of the following:

  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-07 level: 1) Assisting with the audits, examinations, investigations, or internal compliance reviews of securities-related financial institutions such as investment advisers, investment companies, broker-dealers, clearing agencies, or transfer agents; AND 2) Assisting with the review of procedures, practices, and records related to the issuance, distribution, and trading of securities; OR
  2. a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR
  3. 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree; OR
  4. a LL.B. or J.D., if related; OR
  5. a combination of education and experience which includes education exceeding one year of graduate study in business administration, finance or accounting and at least six (6) months of specialized experience equivalent to GS/SK-07 level as described in 1 above.
SK-11: Applicant must have at least one of the following:
  1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS/SK-09 level: 1) ) Assisting with the audits, examinations, investigations, or internal compliance reviews of securities related financial institutions such as investment advisers, investment companies, broker-dealers, clearing agencies, or transfer agent AND 2) Performing investment analysis, and/or management of securities; OR
  2. a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR
  3. 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR
  4. a LL.M., if related; OR
  5. a combination of education and experience which includes education exceeding two years of graduate study in business administration, finance or accounting and at least six (6) months of specialized experience equivalent to GS/SK-09 level conducting the activities described in answer choice 1 above.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applicants are required to submit a complete application package by the specified cutoff dates. Incomplete submissions by the cutoff will not move forward in the hiring process. Certificates will be issued based on the cut off dates until the announcement's closing date.

**Cut Off Dates: October 14, November 5 and November 30th.**

Education

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated:(1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Internal Applicants: OHR will verify education qualifications for internal applicants using documents in the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). If required transcripts or certificates are not present in your eOPF, you will be required to provide them to OHR. If selected, a start date will not be established until official transcripts are received.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. For more information, click here.
Applicants may also find the following helpful:

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics.

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.

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 click here for a compensation overview.

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.

Your resume will be reviewed by an HR Specialist and a Subject Matter Expert to determine if you meet the basic requirement (if applicable) and minimum qualification requirements as outlined in the announcement.

Applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. If you are found minimally qualified, you will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

  • Competency 1: Examwork - Effectively conducts examwork activities (whether onsite, correspondence, etc.) in a professional manner to procure information from an entity under examination.
  • Competency 2: Program Analysis - Examines and analyzes different types of data to assess the organization or program, or specific issues within the organization or program, and make recommendations.
  • Competency 3: Critical Thinking - Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.
  • Competency 4: Teamwork and Collaboration - Interacts with internal and external others in a manner that advances examinations and agency goals and objectives.

The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s).

To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13050870

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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Learn more about what it's like to work at Securities and Exchange Commission, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.sec.gov.

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