Summary

The Office of Clearance and Settlement (“OCS”) engages in oversight, rulemaking, and other supervisory and policy matters for registered and exempt clearing agencies, transfer agents, and swap data repositories. Specifically, OCS develops and administers the Commission’s regulatory program under Section 17A of the Exchange Act for the national system for the clearance and settlement of securities transactions.

Duties

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.

OCS oversees all aspects of the national clearance and settlement system, including systemically important financial market utilities and security-based swap clearing activity, with an emphasis on the regulation and oversight of clearing agencies that provide central counterparty clearing services, swap data repositories, and transfer agents.

  • Assisting and providing support and advice regarding TM’s oversight of clearing agencies; transfer agents; security based swap data repositories; and other market infrastructure.
  • Reviewing and analyzing proposed rule changes and advance notices by registered clearing agencies filed under Section 19(b) of the Exchange Act and/or Title VIII of the Dodd-Frank Act.
  • Developing and preparing guidance and facilitating action on complex legal and policy issues arising from the interpretation and application of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
  • Participating in the development and implementation of regulatory initiatives, including Commission rulemaking, exemptive requests, interpretive guidance, staff studies, and other Commission or staff initiatives.
  • Reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting new legislative initiatives, Congressional mandates, Commission or Court decisions, actions taken by other regulators, and other events that may affect the securities markets.
  • Consulting and coordinating with domestic and international regulators and participating in international regulatory organizations.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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-13: Applicant must have two year(s) of post J.D. work experience identifying legal issues, conducting legal research, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as contracts, dispositions, pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least one year:

  1. Providing advice on issues, policies, and interpretations related to the Federal securities laws and rules thereunder or similar experience in an area such as banking, commodities, corporate, antitrust, bankruptcy, or tax laws and rules is preferred; AND
  2. Conducting legal research, applying federal securities and other regulations and rules to unprecedented situations, and contributing to the preparation of agency policy initiatives or rulemaking.

SK-14: Applicant must have at least three years post-J.D experience identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses, providing legal solutions/recommendations, and preparing legal documents, such as filings, memoranda, contracts, dispositions, pleadings, and motions, which also includes at least two years of:

  1. Interpreting, applying, and explaining the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the securities industry, in particular, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; AND
  2. Collaborating on the evaluation of legal and policy issues, addressing securities law, analyzing and explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and collaborating on developing and justifying recommendations or conclusions as they pertain to securities law.

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

To apply for this job please visit www.usajobs.gov.

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