ATTORNEY ADVISER

Summary The Office of Chief Counsel (OCC) provides guidance and counsel to the Chief Economist and other Division staff regarding legal issues implicated by the Division's broad mandate. The office coordinates the integration of the Division's economic analyses into Commission rulemakings and other Commission action, collaborating with staff from divisions and offices across the agency. Learn more about this agency Duties OCC attorneys advise and support the Chief Economist and DERA staff. The Chief Economist serves as the economic advisor to the Commission and its staff. DERA's responsibilities include: sound economic analysis of market events and conditions; economic analysis in support of Commission rulemaking; economic and risk analysis to inform and support the Commission's enforcement and examination programs; the development of financial and market data analysis tools; and assisting the Commission and its staff in responding to policy, legislative, or international issues relating to the U.S. securities markets. OCC attorneys provide legal analysis and support for these responsibilities and assist the Chief Economist and DERA staff in collaborating with the rest of the Commission. Typical Duties Include: Advising DERA management and staff on a wide range of issues related to DERA's mission. Issues routinely involve the federal securities laws; the laws and regulations governing the federal rulemaking process, including the Administrative Procedure Act; contract law and other legal limitations on data usage; Freedom of Information Act requirements and exemptions; and other topics central to the mission of the Division. Reviewing and revising economic analyses in support of agency policymaking to help ensure compliance with federal administrative law requirements and consistency with prior Commission regulatory actions. OCC attorneys may also draft legal portions of economic analyses. Participating in meetings and conferences where policy formulation and program plans are developed, including advocating for the Division's interests and positions. Collaborating with agency officials at all levels, including supervisors and staff in other divisions and offices, staff in private industry, Congressional staff, and staff of other agencies. Developing innovative solutions to address novel questions of law or policy concerning rulemaking, economic analysis, and data usage. Requirements 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 and may be filled from any division or office within the agency. This position has promotion potential to the SK-14. 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. 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, NTEU Chapter 293. 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. Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the deadline. 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. 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 3 years of post J.D. work experience identifying legal issues, conducting legal research, providing oral and written legal analyses using good judgement and discretion, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as memoranda, correspondence, contracts, and motions, 2 years of which includes: providing advice or comments on issues and documents to assure legal and factual accuracy, and one or more of the following activities: Providing analysis and advice regarding legal and factual issue involving securities regulation, the activities of administrative agencies of government, or the application of economic principles and analysis to the law; Litigating matters involving securities, regulatory, or administrative law; Litigating matters involving the testimony of economists; Conducting legal research on laws and legal principles governing securities regulations, the administration and regulation of government agencies, or the intersection of law and economics. Education You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts or equivalent by the closing date of the announcement. Internal Applicants: OHR will verify education qualifications for internal applicants using documents in the Electronic Official Personnel Folder (eOPF). If required transcripts or certificates are not present in your eOPF, you will be required to provide them to OHR. If selected, a start date will not be established until official transcripts are received. 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. For more information, click here. Applicants may also find the following helpful: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice. Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics Additional information 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/ 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 [email protected]. For religious-based accommodations, please contact [email protected] . 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, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. 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. 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 [email protected]. Expand Hide  additional information 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. Benefits 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.