Summary
The Market Participants Division (MPD or 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 participants, such as swap dealers (SDs), major swap participants (MSPs), futures commission merchants, introducing brokers, commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisors, and floor brokers.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Applications will be accepted from all US Citizens
Duties
The Division consists of three branches: the Registration and Compliance Branch, the Financial Requirements Branch, and the Examinations Branch, along with their respective subordinate sections.
As a Paralegal Specialist, the incumbent is primarily responsible for assisting attorneys, financial analysts, and examiners in the Division by providing comprehensive legal and regulatory support in all aspects of MPD’s daily activities, including the assessment of the appropriateness of current regulations, the assessment of registrants’ compliance with current regulations, the development of revised and new regulations to address dynamic market structures and operations, drafting of orders and letters, and the publishing of guidance to provide legal clarity to market participants by defining regulatory obligations.
• Provide Comprehensive Legal Support: Organize and maintain examination and legal files for all aspects of the Division’s operations, compile records, prepare exhibits, coordinate document collection and production; conduct document reviews; assist with tracking internal and external deadlines, and drafting examination and legal reports and summaries.
• Conduct Foundational Legal Research: Use legal databases (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis) to research statutes, case law, and agency guidance on a broad range of issues.
• Assist with FOIA and Privacy Act Requests: Help review and redact documents, apply legal exemptions, and draft responses to public information requests under attorney supervision.
• Collaborate Across the Agency: Work with program offices and legal staff to gather information, coordinate responses, and build professional communication skills in a legal environment.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background/Security Investigation
- May be required to serve a one-year probationary period
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:
1. Legal, Government & Jurisprudence- Behavioral indicators: Interprets statutes, case law, and federal regulations; applies agency policies correctly; flags legal risks; advises on procedural requirements.
2. Research- Behavioral indicators: Frames research questions; retrieves authoritative sources efficiently; synthesizes findings; documents methods; distinguishes binding vs. persuasive authority.
3. Writing- Behavioral indicators: Writes clear, legally defensible work products; tailors tone to audiences (attorneys, financial analyst, examiners, and the public); uses citations and record references accurately.
4. Attention to Detail- Behavioral indicators: Catches inconsistencies; follows chain-of-custody protocols; reconciles document indexes; meets filing/production standards without errors.
Qualifications
GS-11: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector:
Specialized experience is defined as gaining experience:
- Maintaining case files, organizing evidence, compiling records, preparing exhibits, and ensuring materials are complete and ready for attorney review.
- Maintaining and organizing examination and legal files, preparing exhibits and schedules, and ensuring materials are complete and ready for review by attorneys, examiners and financial analysts.
- Conducting legal research using Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, or equivalent tools, identifying controlling statutes, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, or agency precedents.
- Reviewing, analyzing, and redacting documents under FOIA or Privacy Act requirements, applying exemptions and preparing justification statements.
- Coordinating responses across multiple internal or external stakeholders, ensuring consistency in legal products, case materials, and reporting.
Education Substitution: GS-11: 3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a field directly related to the position.
OR
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Law, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, or related degrees
OR
LL.M., in a field directly related to the position. Education must be in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
OR
A combination experience as described in "A" and graduate level education as described in "B", when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of two full years (36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. To compute, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 36 semester hours, and then divide that number by 18 to arrive at a percentage. Then, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12 to arrive at a second percentage. Add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100% to qualify.
Education
Please refer to the OPM 0950-11 OPM Qualification Standards for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position.
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
This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.
Probationary Period: You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period, if applicable.
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 recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: Structured Evaluative Review
Your application will be evaluated through an SME Evaluative Review.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position. SME will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume. These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category.
When the application process is complete, we will review your resume and other supporting documentation, to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement.
Quality Category Definitions:
• Best Qualified – Applicants who substantially exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate exceptional proficiency across the core competencies.
• Well Qualified – Applicants who clearly exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate strong competency across most areas.
• Qualified – Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
- Resume showing related experience (two-pages max);
- Cover Letter (optional);
- Performance appraisal (optional);
- Transcripts (if required, an unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with the date the degree was awarded is required prior to firm offer letter being extended)
Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume. In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please 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); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions. In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim. Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.
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
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.
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.
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.
- Content of Resume: Your resume or other written form you choose to describe your job-related experiences are used to verify your qualifications. Therefore, it is important that your resume accurately reflects the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending dates of employment stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY; and total number of hours worked per week). If your resume does not provide enough information regarding your work history for us to make a creditable qualification determination, your application package may be rendered disqualified, and you will no longer be considered for this position. To assist you in sending in a complete resume, use the checklist at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
Please follow the instructions listed below for submitting your complete application package. Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all instructions before you begin.
Resume Requirements:
- Resumes are limited to two (2) pages.
- Resumes should focus on the knowledge, skills, abilities; accomplishments and results; and training and education relevant to this position.
- Resumes must be in the following format (for each position held relevant to this position):
- Short summary of position duties
- Accomplishments while in the position
- Results of those accomplishments
Copying and pasting position descriptions into a resume is not acceptable.
Illegible Information and/or Documents
- If your supporting documents and resume are illegible or do not provide the necessary information for the Human Capital Specialist and/or Subject Matter Expert to make a qualification determination, you may lose consideration for this position.
Last Document Uploaded
- If multiple copies of the same document are uploaded/faxed and submitted with your application, CFTC will only consider the last copy of the document uploaded/faxed when determining your eligibility and qualifications. For example, if you upload/fax two or more resumes only the last resume uploaded/faxed and submitted will be considered.
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 (USAJOBS - Search), 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/.
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.