Summary

The Market Participants Division leads the Commission's efforts in protecting market participants and their funds by ensuring the financial integrity, fitness, and fair business conduct of derivatives market intermediaries, such as swap dealers, major swap participants, futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, floor brokers, and retail foreign exchange dealers (“Market Participants”).

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications accepted from all US Citizens.

Duties

Renders written or oral legal advice on assigned projects with respect to the relevant provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (“Act”) and the Commission's regulations, and other statutes, regulations, judicial decisions, and legal opinions that are pertinent. Advice addresses complex issues, including issues associated with the regulation of the derivatives markets and CFTC-registered market intermediaries, and project deliverables include interpretations and application of the Act and the Commission's regulations, as well as advice regarding application of related federal and local laws and regulations.
Conducts research or investigation of the facts as well as the laws, regulations, and legal precedents primarily associated with the derivatives and securities markets. On the basis of the research or investigation, prepares necessary legal documents, advisory opinions, drafts or comments on proposed legislation or changes in regulations or other disposition. Research or investigation may involve any of the following:
1. a) analyzing the factual and legal issues presented to determine what further facts are needed and what legal sources are applicable;
2. b) reviewing policies, procedures, regulations, technical manuals, and other agency publications, including domestic and foreign financial market regulators;
3. c) studying industry and trade practices, policies, procedures, and operations of other Government agencies or of the States or local bodies or business, technical, and professional publications and other authoritative sources of information required in the technical interpretation of factual issues;
4. d) conducting research of relevant domestic and foreign laws, legal opinions, policies, regulations, legal texts, and precedent cases bearing on the legal issues involved in the problem, proposal, or case;
5. e) interviewing persons such as officials, principals, and senior staff of Market Participants and CFTC-registered derivatives exchanges and clearing organizations (“SROs”), along with their counsel, accounting and financial professionals, and other experts who provide services to them; or
6. f) preparing memoranda or reports outlining the facts and legal issues, analyzing the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and justifying recommendations or conclusions.
Drafts new or amended regulations, orders, guidelines, and other regulatory approaches applicable to the derivatives markets, Market Participants and SROs for consideration and adoption by the Commission. Such regulatory approaches are designed to enhance the integrity of the derivatives markets by addressing business conduct standards, sales practices, recordkeeping, capital, and financial reporting requirements for intermediaries Identifies and analyzes issues to be considered and develops proposals and recommendations for consideration and adoption by agency officials.
Drafts no-action letters, exemption letters, interpretation letters, and general memoranda pursuant to programs under the Division's direction. Identifies and analyzes issues to be considered and develops proposals and recommendations for consideration and adoption by agency officials.
Assists in the review, evaluation, and preparation of reports submitted to the Commission on a Market Participant’s or an SRO's compliance program with respect to applicable provisions of the Act and Commission regulations. Assists with the preparation of reports, planning documents, and other Commission and general administrative documents. Reviews the application and execution of the Branch's program functions and activities to ensure consistency among its organizational components in the application of branch, division, and Commission administrative policy.
Reviews proposed legislation, changes in regulations, enforcement actions, questions of law, administrative policy, staff reports, and other Commission regulatory documents and develops independent, objective comments, critiques, and recommendations. Presents the positions of the Division on regulatory issues and other matters to other divisions and offices, and where appropriate, to the Commission.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. Citizenship
Favorable Background/Security Investigation
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
May be subject to a two-year trial period.
Must be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Resume showing all relevant and related experience (2 pages max);
JD Transcripts;
Most recent performance evaluation (strongly recommended);
Veterans' preference documentation, if applicable.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following:

J.D.; 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)

AND

CT-12: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent and bar membership) and 2 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school.

CT-13: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and 3 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school.

CT-14 Level: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and 4 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school.

Relevant legal experience is defined as attorneys, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained after graduation from a law school. Legal and non- legal experience gained in the Federal government or private sector prior to completing a law degree cannot be used to satisfy the legal experience requirement. Work while in law school does not count.

Desired Qualifications:

Expert skill in research and analysis of complex legal issues.
Expert knowledge of derivatives or related law, financial markets, corporate law, and general administrative law.

Education

Successful completion of a full course of study (J.D.) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Probationary/Trial Period:

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

Your performance and conduct;
The needs and interests of the agency;
Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information.

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.

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

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

This job is being filled under a Schedule A hiring authority 5 C.F.R. § 213.3102 and is excepted from the competitive civil service. You will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of your experience and education, bar membership, and desired qualifications described above. These positions are not covered by the usual civil service hiring procedures. There is no numerical rating system through which to apply veterans' preference; however, CFTC considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume, and to attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD Form-214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions. All eligible applicants will be further evaluated by subject-matter experts.

Your resume will be referred to the selecting official if you have submitted a complete application package to include resume, bar membership details, and any applicable transcripts. This does not mean you are considered qualified for the position. A qualification analysis will be conducted to ensure the selectee meets all requirements, including education and minimum qualifications listed on the vacancy announcement. A complete application package is required to be considered qualified and eligible for selection. Please review the "Requirements" section of the vacancy announcement to understand the list of required documents for a complete application package. Additional information may be requested later in the recruitment process.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of non-service-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
JD/Transcripts (unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with date degree was awarded is required prior to a firm offer letter being extended);
Bar membership details;
Writing sample demonstrating analysis of complex legal issues (optional)

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

RESUME REQUIREMENT: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. Please ensure your resume clearly demonstrates how you meet the qualifications for the position within the two-page limit.

YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE: Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV. To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV. Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to answer the questions and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application, go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV username and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Jenna Giles

Phone: 202-418-5625
Email: jgiles@cftc.gov

Address: Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Three Lafayette Centre
1155 21st St NW
1155 21 Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20581
United States

Next steps

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

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