Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from current federal employees serving on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, persons eligible under special hiring authorities including Schedule A and VEOA, and CTAP/ICTAP eligible candidates in the local commuting area.

This position is located within the Office of General Counsel's Office of Proceedings (Proceedings) and serves as a Legal Administrative Specialist (Proceedings Clerk). Proceedings is responsible for providing an inexpensive, impartial, and expeditious forum for handling customer complaints against persons or firms registered under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).

The Proceedings Clerk plans, implements, and manages administrative functions within the Office of Proceedings, with authority to perform the following:

• Manages docketing, maintenance, and notification processes for all proceedings, ensuring parties are served in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Practice and service requirements.
• Serves as official custodian of records for reparations and administrative enforcement proceedings, maintaining file integrity, security, and compliance with the Federal Records Act, Privacy Act, FOIA, and Commission policies.
• Develops, updates, and maintains the Reparations Sanctions in Effect List and Administrative Sanctions in Effect List, based on thorough review and analysis of case files and registration information to identify non-paying parties or those sanctioned in enforcement proceedings (impacting registrations/suspensions).
• Drafts memoranda/letters and prepares responses to inquiries from Congress, the public, governmental entities, media, and other sources on office files, case/docket systems, and related topics; compiles data, records, and reports as needed.
• Provides program administration support to the Director, including advising on management objectives, resource allocation, performance evaluation against short- and long-term plans, and adjustments to meet goals.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• May be required to serve a probationary/trial period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to time-in-grade requirements, if applicable

You will be evaluated based on your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:

1. Attention to Detail: Thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, determines resource requirements, monitors progress, and evaluates outcomes.
3. Written Communication: Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
4. Problem Solving: Identifies problems; evaluates accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and assess alternatives; and makes recommendations.
5. Customer Service: Works with clients and customers—including the public, other government agencies, and external regulatory bodies—to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve issues, and deliver quality service.

Qualifications

CT-11 Level: To qualify for the CT-11 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-09 level).  Specialized experience is defined that through which one has gained experience in two or more of the following:

• Performing legal or administrative work that includes reviewing and processing legal filings; managing dockets or case files; maintaining official records in accordance with federal requirements; conducting legal or regulatory research and preparing written summaries or correspondence; responding to inquiries from the public, attorneys, or government officials; and using case-tracking or records management systems to support program operations.

OR

• 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) related to the position
• Or a combination of graduate level education and specialized experience that together meet the qualification requirements of this position.

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in the job announcement. First, your application will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants who meet these requirements will then be assessed against the core competencies for this role using the method described below.

As part of the assessment, you must submit an Accomplishment Record. This includes written narratives describing your past achievements as they relate to the specific core competencies for this position. The rating panel will review both your accomplishment record and your resume, and will place applicants into one of the following categories: Highly Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified.

• Highly Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has extensive skills and experience in most of the job-related competencies above.
• Well Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements and has a moderate amount of skills and experience in most of the job-related competencies above.
• Qualified — Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but may have a limited amount of experience in several of the job-related competencies.

Each competency narrative must:

• Describe one specific and relevant example from your training or experience
• Be no more than 300 words
• Be fully supported by information contained in your resume

Applicant Example

[Competency 1 Title]

[Full description of the competency from the announcement, for example: Examines and analyzes different types of data to assess the organization or program, or specific issues within the organization or program, and make recommendations.]

Applicant Narrative (300-word maximum)

The assessments for this position are designed to evaluate your proficiency in the following competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Planning and Evaluating
• Written Communication
• Problem Solving
• Customer Service

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.

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
• Cover letter (optional);
• Most recent performance appraisal (optional);
• SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable; 
• Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended;
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• If you wish to be considered under an applicable Veteran's authority such as VEOA, 30% or more disabled vet, etc., you must submit a copy of your Veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service), along with a VA letter, SF-15, etc., if applicable. If you are a current active-duty service member, please submit an official statement of service from your command;
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at:
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

ICTAP/CTAP Candidates MUST submit:
1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice;
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating;
3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and
4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local
commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or
transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities:

1. VEOA

2. 30% or more disabled veteran

3. Individuals with disabilities

4. CTAP

5. ICTAP

6. Military Spouse

7. Special Authorities

8. Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

9. Former Federal Employees

Next steps