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ATTORNEY-ADVISER

Securities and Exchange Commission
Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology Office (FinHub) spearheads agency efforts to encourage responsible innovation in the financial sector, including in evolving areas such as distributed ledger technology and digital assets, automated investment advice, digital marketplace financing, and artificial intelligence and machine learning (FinTech).

FinHub coordinates the analysis of emerging financial innovations and technologies across the Commission.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
02/10/2021 to 02/24/2021
Salary
$130,364 to - $218,671 per year
Pay scale & grade
SK 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Washington, DC
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Not-to-exceed One year
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
High Risk (HR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
21-IN-11028556-WLJ
Control number
591913300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current SEC employees.

Duties

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Typical duties and responsibilities include:

  • Serve as an attorney-advisor providing expert analysis for assigned area of responsibility, responding to complex and difficult questions related to the application of the federal securities laws to novel products, financings and systems.
  • Conduct extensive analyses and reviews of industry, professional, academic, and media financial or other information, data, and releases to maintain up-to-date information concerning FinTech. Develop analyses and recommendations for issues that warrant attention and/or consideration by the Commission. Provide analytical support for key decision-making and preparing written materials to advance FinHub priorities.
  • Participate in the execution of key projects and prepare draft statements and speeches. Develop and prepare responses to requests for information from the Commission, other Divisions or Offices within the Commission, or Congress.
  • Apply extensive knowledge of the capital markets, capital formation, complex financial instruments and/or securities offerings, including FinTech projects and structures such as those involving distributed ledger technology and digital assets, to identify areas that warrant further review.
  • Provide guidance for complex FinTech financial questions posed by the industry and the public.
  • Develop and prepare technical and expert responses for a variety of complex issues involving FinTech arising from interpretation and application of statutes administered by the SEC.
  • Represent the FinHub in meetings, conferences, and in public forums and/or provide assistance in preparing for such meetings. Help maintain productive work relationships with federal and state agencies, international bodies, and the industry.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • CITIZENSHIP: You must be a US Citizen.
  • You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree
  • You must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
  • This position is open to current SEC employees.
  • Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in you not being considered for this position.
  • Supplementary vacancies may be filled in addition to the number stated in this announcement.
  • This position has promotion potential to the SK-14.
  • TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two-year trial period.
  • 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.
  • This position is in the collective bargaining unit.
  • This is a temporary appointment not-to-exceed 1-year from date of appointment to the position.
  • This appointment may be extended OR it may end at any time during the course of the appointment at the discretion of management.
  • Applicants should also be available for possible extension, if needed.
  • This temporary competitive appointment may be made permanent without further competition.
  • If your selection results in a promotion, you may receive a salary increase for the duration of the temporary appointment. You will be returned to your original salary at the end of the appointment.
  • If selected, you may continue to work from your current duty location.

Qualifications

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

  • SK-14: Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 level. Specialized experience includes: advising on the regulatory implications of, or been directly involved in applying the federal securities laws to, emerging novel products, systems and financings involving FinTech, such as distributed ledger and digital assets, automated investment advice, digital marketplace lending, artificial intelligence and/or machine learning.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show 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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is available to individuals who have special priority selection rights under this plan. Individuals must be minimally qualified for this position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP eligibles will be considered minimally qualified if they meet the minimum requirements for this position.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation for disability to participate in the application process at the SEC, submit the form for Reasonable Accommodation for Participation in Job Application Process here. 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: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, sex (not limited to conduct which is sexual in nature, includes pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender status), age (40 and over), religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, retaliation for participating in the EEO process or opposing discrimination. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination. Click here for additional information.

TTY/ASCII: Video Relay Service users are welcome to contact the appropriate SEC office or employee via the contact information listed above. If you do not otherwise have access to a Video Phone or Video Relay service, you may send us an email or use the Federal Video Relay Service via the internet. For more information about using the Federal Relay Service and to create a new account, please see: https://www.federalrelay.us/

How you will be evaluated

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

If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the occupational questionnaire. Your resume must support your responses to the occupational questionnaire. After review of your application materials, if you are determined to be minimally qualified, you will be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies :
Interpersonal Skills, Legal Guidance, Legal, Government and Jurisprudence, Oral Communication, Technical Competence, and Written Communication

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 10 minutes to complete. To preview the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11028556.

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