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.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.
Clarification from the agency
All US Citizens
Duties
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: DC, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta and Miami
- IA/IC: Miami and Denver
Requirements
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:
- 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
- Providing briefings to senior management.; AND
- 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:
- Boston:
- Miami:
- Philadelphia:
- Washington DC:
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.
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.
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:
- Minimum Qualifications Resume Review
- 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
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
- Required: Your responses to the Questionnaire.
- Required: Resume - Resumes should include relevant work experience, with specific employment dates, that demonstrates qualifications for the specialized experience and competencies as outlined above. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. Resumes that exceed two pages will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration. For resume writing tips, visit USAJOBS and the SEC careers page.
- Required: Accomplishment Record - The Accomplishment Record is a set of narrative responses that demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed. These narratives support your resume by providing specific examples from your training or experience. For each competency, you must provide a 300 word or less written narrative (text only) describing one example of competency-related experience. Text beyond this limit will not be considered. This document must be uploaded to the application under Accomplishment Record. An accomplishment record submitted outside the USA Staffing system will not be accepted. Failure to provide the Accomplishment Record in the correct format will result in an ineligible rating.
- Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.)
- Required, if applicable: Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214, Member Copy 4 or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge. Disabled veterans and other applicants eligible for 10-point Veteran's Preference please include: documentation to validate your claim - VA letter, SF-15, etc).
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. No additional documentation will be accepted after the closing date of the announcement.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
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/.
Next steps
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov/ and clicking on "Track Your Online Application."
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be terminated after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation before appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, Veterans' Preference, certification of disability, etc.).
Candidates external to the SEC will be allowed to submit a comprehensive resume for pay setting purposes after a tentative offer is made. If the applicant fails to provide the comprehensive resume by the specified deadline, the resume submitted at the time of application will be used to determine pay. No additional documentation will be accepted after the deadline.