Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

ATTORNEY-ADVISER

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Investment Management
This job announcement has closed

Resumes limited to two pages

Starting on September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Sign in to your profile and update your resume now.

Summary

The Division of Investment Management (IM) works to support the SEC in its mission to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. IM regulates investment companies, variable insurance products, and federally registered investment advisers.

IM's Chief Counsel's Office is seeking to fill multiple attorney-adviser positions in Washington, DC or in the following regional office locations: NYRO, BRO,DRO, PLRO, CHRO, LARO and SFRO.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/13/2023 to 07/26/2023
Salary
$135,888 to - $259,590 per year

Starting salary is based on experience. The range is listed for informational purposes. Initial pay will be set below the maximum. See more below.

Pay scale & grade
SK 14
Locations
few vacancies in the following locations:
Los Angeles, CA
San Francisco, CA
Denver, CO
Washington, DC
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
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
23-EX-12036991-WLJ
Control number
736767100

This job is open to

Help

Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

Videos

Duties

Help

At the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) and value a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the communities we serve. As such, we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds who share our commitment to public service.

Typical Duties include:

  • Provide formal and informal guidance to internal and external stakeholders relating to issues under the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, and other laws and regulations, including requests for no-action and interpretive letters issued by the staff of the Division.
  • Provide technical assistance concerning proposed legislation that touches on, the Investment Company Act, the Investment Advisers Act, registered investment companies and business development companies, as well as private funds.
  • Review and analyze applications for exemptive relief under the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act.
  • Engage with staff in EXAMS, Enforcement, and other divisions and offices on Investment Advisers Act and Investment Company Act matters, including potential violations of these Acts.
  • Analyze and assist on key strategic initiatives, including rulemaking, guidance, legislative and other initiatives relating to investment companies and investment advisers.
  • Assist Investment Management senior staff with the preparation of speeches and public presentations.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • CITIZENSHIP: This position is open to US Citizens.
  • You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree.
  • You must be an active member of the bar in good standing
  • 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 position is eligible to request telework in accordance with the SEC 's telework policy.

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 three years of post J.D. work experience independently identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents such as contracts, dispositions, pleadings and motions, and two years of which includes:
  1. Providing legal advice relating to the Federal securities laws, statutes, rules and regulations, for example, those related to Investment Company Act, Investment Advisers Act, Securities Act, and Securities Exchange Act; AND
  2. Conducting reviews and analysis on issues to assure legal adequacy, sufficiency, soundness of action recommended or taken. Experience with other regulatory areas, for example ERISA or insurance product regulation, that may be relevant to investment companies and investment advisers, while not required, is desired.

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

Boston, MA:
SK-14: $132,834 - $225,043
Chicago, IL:
SK-14: $131,904 - $223,468
Denver, CO
SK-14: $130,802 - $221,600
Los Angeles, CA
SK-14: $136,428 - $231,132
New York, NY
SK-14: $137,908 - $233,640
Philadelphia, PA
SK-14: $129,627 - $219,611
San Francisco, CA
SK-14: $145,750 - $246,926
Washington, DC
SK-14: $134,304 - $227,534

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade; however, a selectee's initial pay is always set below the maximum rate of the range. Please click here for additional information.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, please visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

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.

All applicants will be notified of their application status once the vacancy announcement has closed. Applicants that have a tentative eligible rating will be referred to the hiring office for review.

The resume review panel, designated by the hiring office, will review your application, including the Assessment Questionnaire. Your resume must support your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire and demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Additional application materials submitted outside of the USAJOBs system or after the position is closed will not be accepted, unless requested by the hiring office as part of the evaluation process (e.g. writing sample).

Once the resume review panel has completed their review of all applicants, they will recommend the top candidates for interview. The hiring office will schedule the interview(s) directly with the recommended candidates.

When the selection is made, applicants will be sent a referral status notification and a final disposition notification.

Applicants will be evaluated on the following competencies:
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 linkhttps://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12036991

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.