FINANCIAL ECONOMIST

Summary These positions may be filled in either the Office of Economic Analysis (OEA) or the Office of Litigation Economics (OLE). Both offices perform economic analysis in support of the agency's mission; however, the specific duties of the position differ depending on the office in which the selection is made. The duties for each office are described separately below. Duties Responsibilities: Office of Economic Analysis: Performing economic analysis of the benefits and costs of a SEC rule or policy, including the effects on efficiency, competition, and capital formation. Authoring economic analyses of SEC rules and policies, which incorporate research and comments by academics, lawyers, market participants, and other experts. Applying advanced economic concepts and methods to the analysis of the economic effects of a SEC rule or policy, including by leveraging economics related to corporate issuers, brokers, dealers, exchanges, asset managers, or other financial intermediaries. Conducting statistical analyses, including sensitivity analysis, that inform on the economic effects of a SEC rule or policy, and quantifying these effects where feasible. Planning, prioritizing, and adapting tasks when performing an economic analysis to meet timelines. Working flexibly within multi-disciplinary teams that include finance lawyers and policy experts, and demonstrating ability to communicate economics within such teams. Office of Litigation Economics: Conducting economic analyses to evaluate specific violations of securities laws, including assessing stock-market impacts, measuring investor harm, and quantifying ill-gotten gains. Using statistical software and programming languages to analyze complex datasets for evidence of stock-price manipulation, insider trading, biased trade allocations, and other forms of misconduct. Researching emerging analytical techniques and developing sophisticated empirical methodologies that strengthen enforcement recommendations and inform investigative strategy. Providing objective and credible expert-witness testimony in litigation by presenting intricate economic concepts and analytical methods in an impartial and accessible manner. Preparing written reports and presentations that communicate complex economic findings to enforcement attorneys, investigative staff, and senior leadership. Prioritizing and coordinating multiple projects to ensure timely completion of economic analyses while adapting to evolving investigative needs, tight deadlines, and shifting enforcement priorities. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a US Citizen. 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. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary 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. 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: A. Applicants must possess a degree in economics that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. --OR-- B. An appropriate combination of education and experience----courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience include individual economic research assignments requiring planning, information assembly, analysis and evaluation, conclusions and report preparation; supervisory or project coordination assignments involving a staff of professional economists, and requiring the evaluation and interpretation of economic information; or teaching assignments in a college or university in economic subjects in combination with one of the following: (1) personal research that produced evidence of results, (2) direction of graduate theses in economics, or (3) service as a consultant or advisor on technical economics problems. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-13 providing economic analysis which includes at least one of the following: Success in conducting research in financial economics or industrial organization that is of comparable quality to peer-reviewed academic journals. Experience conducting economic analysis for use in federal courts, regulatory actions, or settlements, including the quantification of damages, ill-gotten gains, or harm to investors. Experience in analyzing the costs and benefits of regulations in financial markets, including effects on market efficiency, competition, and capital formation. 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. 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 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: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications Additional information Salary Ranges: Washington, DC: $151,597 - $256,833 Chicago: $148,111 - $250,927 San Francisco: $165,632 - $280,610 Ft. Worth: $144,037 - $244,024 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. 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 [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]. 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.