SECURITIES COMPLIANCE EXAMINER - RISK STRATEGIST
About This Position
The Division of Examinations (EXAMS) is seeking Securities Compliance Examiner - Risk Strategist in the Office of Broker-Dealers (BDX and Office of Investment Advisers and Investment Companies (IA/IC). As a Risk Strategist you will conduct risk analysis and analytical studies of broker-dealers or investment advisors and investment companies.
Qualifications
Time-in-grade for this announcement is one year at the GS/SK-14 level. 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: SK-16: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14 level.
Specialized experience includes: Analyzing data and information to identify emerging risks related to broker-dealers, clearing agencies, transfer agents, municipal advisers, investment advisers, investment companies, security-based swap dealers, private funds or self-regulatory organizations; AND Providing briefings to senior management.; AND Developing recommendations and/or reports of findings to address and resolve issues related to broker-dealers, clearing agencies, transfer agents, municipal advisers, investment advisers, investment companies, security-based swap dealers, private funds or self-regulatory organizations. ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information: Analysis and Risk Assessment: Analyzes information to assess an entity's level of risk for deficiencies in various focus areas.
Critical Thinking: Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case. Information Gathering: Ability to gather and process large amounts of information and make connections to understand possible deficiencies. Managing Information (core): Ability to ensure that programs strategically utilize and share information, with some guidance.
Major Duties
The mission of EXAMS is to protect investors, ensure market integrity and support responsible capital formation through risk-focused strategies that: (1) improve compliance; (2) prevent fraud; (3) monitor risk; and (4) inform policy. The results of the Division's examinations are used by the SEC to inform rule-making initiatives, identify and monitor risks, improve industry practices and pursue misconduct. If selected, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for supporting EXAMS' mission to conduct and coordinate the nationwide examination program for broker dealer entities or investment advisors/investment companies over which the Commission has regulatory authority.
As a Risk Strategist, you will: Provide expert advice and assistance to senior managers and teams as to the planning, conducting, and defining the scope examinations in the form of clear summaries and both verbal and written presentations; Apply extensive knowledge of the broker dealer or investment advisory/investment company industry or securities compliance examinations in the conduct of risk analysis of entities being (or potentially being) examined by the agency; monitor risks by utilizing information from a wide range of tools and methods including expansive databases, models, and industry publications and experts; and analyze and evaluate data, identifying trends, concerns, emerging risks to suggest focus areas for agency priorities, initiatives and examinations; Maintain a strong awareness of regulatory changes and evolving industry standards to ensure examination strategies remain current; As an expert resource working with senior management and staff, assist with developing and refining the examination plans in response to emerging market intelligence and changes in the population of registrants; conduct surveillance activities on the broker dealer or investment advisor/investment company population; establish risk-based selection methodologies for identification of exam candidates; identify factors for selection of entities for risk-based examinations; analyze and evaluate tips and complaints; and monitor program for alignment with priorities and progress toward goals; Plan, organize, and carry through to completion analytical studies and special projects of a breath and intensity requiring subject matter expertise and in-depth knowledge of the assigned area as well as an awareness of the most recent and novel trends in the industry; Collaborate with other risk strategists to provide analysis and input on internal risk assessment policies and procedures and make suggestions for enhancements to promote consistency, policy effectiveness and improve operational efficiencies; Identify, analyze, and communicate intelligence on unique and novel issues to exam staff and senior management; and Contribute to training efforts by assisting with internal trainings to broaden staff expertise. Vacancies are in the following EXAMS programs and duty locations: BDX: Atlanta, Boston, DC, Miami and Philadelphia IA/IC: Denver and Miami
How You Will Be Evaluated
Your resume and application package will be reviewed to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements outlined in this announcement.
Your qualifications will be assessed through a two-step screening process: Minimum Qualifications Resume Review Accomplishment Record Review If you are found minimally qualified through the minimum qualifications review, a rating panel will review your resume and Accomplishment Record narratives. Accomplishment Record narrative should clearly demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed in the Qualifications section. Submitting a Performance Appraisal does not meet the requirement for an Accomplishment Record.
Click here for help with writing your Accomplishment Record.
Your resume must provide evidence that supports the claims made in your Accomplishment Record narratives; both documents must effectively showcase your qualifications. Each competency narrative should detail one specific, relevant example from your training or experience. Please limit each response to a maximum of 300 words, as any text beyond this limit will not be considered during the evaluation.
You will upload one document with your narrative responses addressing each of the competencies.
Your responses must be in the below format: 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 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.
Top ranked applicants will be referred to the hiring office for further review and consideration. The hiring office may directly contact recommended candidates for interview(s). To preview the Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12947025
Additional Information
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. Salary Ranges: Atlanta: $161,608 - $274,456 Boston: $173,083 - $292,300 Miami: $162,757 -$276,407 Philadelphia: $168,396 - $285,985 Washington DC: $185,350 - $292.300 SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: Total salary (base pay + locality) is dependent upon duty location. The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes; a selectee's initial pay will be established below the maximum rate of the range.
The pay for current SEC employees will be determined according to the procedures specified in the agency's policy. Please visit the agency's Compensation Overview page for more information. Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, click here.
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.
Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. LAND MANAGEMENT WORKFORCE FLEXIBILITY ACT (LMWFA): The LMWFA provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years.
Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. For more information, click here. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities 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: For more information, please click here.
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].
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. No additional documentation will be accepted after the closing date of the announcement. To begin, click Apply to access the online application.
You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package.
You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position.
Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Required Documents
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: Accomplishment Record - The Accomplishment Record is a set of narrative responses that demonstrate your proficiency in the competencies listed.
These narratives support your resume by providing specific examples from your training or experience. For each competency, you must provide a 300 word or less written narrative (text only) describing one example of competency-related experience. Text beyond this limit will not be considered.
This document must be uploaded to the application under Accomplishment Record. An accomplishment record submitted outside the USA Staffing system will not be accepted. Failure to provide the Accomplishment Record in the correct format will result in an ineligible rating.
Required, if you are a current or former Federal employee*: Your most recent Promotion, Within Grade Increase (i.e. WGI), or Appointment/Conversion SF-50 or non-award Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a current or former Federal Employee) must show you are/were in the competitive service and the highest grade or promotion potential held.
Note: If you are in the excepted service, your current agency must have an interchange agreement with OPM - for a list of agencies with current interchange agreements please click here. Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.) Required, if applicable: VEOA documentation (DD-214, member 4 copy or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge.) Required, if applicable: Special Hiring Authority eligibility documentation (VA letter, Schedule A eligibility letter, Peace Corp letter, etc) Required, if applicable: Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act supporting documentation. SEC EMPLOYEES: OHR will verify your eligibility via the SEC's personnel database.