Senior Officer-Associate Director

Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

The Division of Trading and Markets (TM) is seeking a Senior Officer to help lead its Office of Market Supervision (OMS), based in Washington, DC to oversee and administer professional legal work involved in overseeing all aspects of securities and securities-based swap trading platforms such as national securities exchanges, security-based swap execution facilities, and alternative trading systems. The office also oversees rules and policy related to securities trading and the national market system.

OMS uses a collaborative, team-based approach where high-performing Assistant Directors and Senior Special Counsels lead teams of attorneys and professionals to do the work of OMS. Working with and supervising the Assistant Directors and Senior Special Counsels, you will have the opportunity to work with staff across OMS, TM, and the Commission on a variety of matters and subjects related to the trading of securities on regulated platforms. This work can include Commission rulemakings, rule and product filings by trading platforms, registration of new platforms, capital market structure issues, and new technologies such as AI and blockchains. You will be at the forefront of the Commission's efforts to establish, maintain, and review standards for fair, orderly, and efficient capital markets.

TM is particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated, experience in managing staff and/or teams, developing and advising on regulatory policy, and substantial knowledge of securities, security derivatives, or commodity derivatives markets. Significant experience with and knowledge of the Exchange Act of 1934 is required. Experience with other areas of securities regulation will be considered for exceptional candidates.

Duties:

• Plans, directs and supervises and active program of regulation of the securities industry, both directly and through supervision of national securities exchanges, alternative trading systems, security-based swap execution facilities, and FINRA. Also, organizes the implementation of Commission rulemaking as a means of ensuring the fair, orderly, and efficient operation of U.S. capital markets.
• Assists the Division Director in developing additional rules, regulations and policies in the area of market supervision, designed to assure appropriate and effective oversight of the U.S. securities markets by the Commission and self-regulatory organizations. Advises on questions of structure and operations of the securities markets, security-derivatives markets, and self-regulatory organizations.
• Establishes priorities and program goals for the regulation of the trading of securities on the equities and options exchanges and the over-the-counter market, the trading of securities-based swaps and fixed income securities, the dissemination of market data, and the listing of new products and other securities. Assesses the adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of regulatory measures in view of changing market conditions. Develops policies and rule recommendations to be incorporated into the program.
• Directs and coordinates studies to analyze the risks posed by new derivative products to securities markets and the financial system as a whole. Analyzes the results of studies and develops policy and rule and regulatory recommendations that provide the foundation for a comprehensive, coordinated program for regulation and oversight of derivative product trading.
• Contacts, advises and collaborates with high-ranking officials, such as agency heads, top congressional staff officials, state executives, legislative leaders, and/or executives of comparable private sector organizations. Maintains an active liaison relationship with the senior staff of other financial regulators, including the CFTC, Treasury and banking regulators.

Conditions of employment

• CITIZENSHIP: 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.
• SUPERVISORY TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two year supervisory/managerial trial period.
• TRIAL PERIOD: Consistent with 5 U.S.C. § 7511, you will be required to serve a two-year trial period (one year for preference eligible veterans) if the position to which you have applied is not the same or similar to your current position of record.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree and you must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
• The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.

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.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: All applicants must possess the following:

• J.D. or LL.B. degree --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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement.

• SO-01: Applicant must have at least four years of experience in addressing and providing guidance and expertise in the evaluation of legal and policy securities law issues that govern the securities industry, in particular, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which also includes at least three years of specialized experience. Specialized experience includes:
  1. Advising on the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 compliance matters, particularly with respect to self-regulatory organizations, broker-dealers, securities exchanges, derivatives products, equities, fixed income or derivatives; OR
  2. Analyzing issues and developing regulatory policy related to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and its regulations, including such issues and policy related to exchange-traded products subject to the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or Securities Act of 1933.

1. Leading the Organization: Build and support the organization's vision, create strategies to achieve the vision, support and lead innovative and creative initiatives to meet organizational goals.
2. Leading and Developing People: Recruit, lead, develop and manage the workforce, constructively manages differences and potential conflicts between employees, building teams that meet and exceed an organization's mission, strategic plan, and goals.
3. Results Orientation: Meet organizational goals by effectively managing program area, identifying and solving important problems, making sound and timely decisions, and effectively managing and sharing information.
4. Building Coalitions: Build coalitions by partnering with others to build strategic relationships, influencing and negotiating with those in sphere of influence to achieve favorable outcomes for an organization.
5. Rule Development: Prepares recommendations for rules that meet desired policy objectives within the Commission's statutory authority or that implement legislation.
6. Market Operations Analysis: Advises on operational risks and practices requiring an understanding of the marketplace landscape to inform and support policy development.

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 this announcement.

Your resume and application package will first be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements outlined in the announcement. If you are found minimally qualified, the Office of Human Resources will contact you to request an Accomplishment Record. You will have 3 business days from the date of the request to submit it. Failure to submit the Accomplishment Record on time will remove you from further consideration. Because of the short turnaround time, you are strongly encouraged to begin preparing your Accomplishment Record in advance.

Once your Accomplishment Record is received, a rating panel will review both your resume and your narrative responses. Your Accomplishment Record must clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section.

Click here for guidance on writing your Accomplishment Record.

Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims in your Accomplishment Record. Each narrative must describe one specific, relevant example from your experience or training. Responses are limited to 300 words per competency; any text beyond this limit will not be reviewed.

You must provide one document containing your narrative responses for all six competencies. Failure to address each competency annotated on the announcement or failure to provide the correct document will result in loss of further consideration. Please note: A Performance Appraisal does not satisfy the requirement for an Accomplishment Record.

Required Accomplishment Record Format:

Applicant First Name and Last Name
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

Reference checks may be conducted as part of the final selection process, and you will be notified before any contacts are made.

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.

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, if applicable: Veteran's documentation (DD-214, member 4 copy or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge.)
• Required: Unofficial Transcripts - If education is a required qualification for this position, you must submit unofficial transcripts with your application demonstrating that you meet the specified degree (i.e. degree conferred) and/or coursework requirements. Failure to provide transcripts showing completion of all required degree and coursework requirements may result in a determination that you are ineligible for further consideration. If you are selected for the position, you will need to provide an official transcript along with your certificate of good standing, and/or a copy of your bar membership.

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