Attorney-Adviser (Counsel)

Summary

The Office of Credit Ratings is seeking an Attorney-Adviser (Counsel). As an Attorney-Adviser, you will be part of a team that assists the Commission in executing its responsibility for protecting investors, promoting capital formation, and maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets through the oversight of credit rating agencies registered with the Commission as nationally recognized statistical rating organizations or NRSROs.

Duties

In this role as an Attorney-Adviser, you will be responsible for: Working collaboratively within OCR to lead and participate in examinations and the monitoring of NRSROs for compliance with the Commission's rules and applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act. Contributing to determining the exam scope and depth of fact-finding required based upon risk assessments. Reviewing and analyzing documents, preparing written work deliverables, conducting interviews of NRSRO personnel, evaluating exam findings, and formulating conclusions regarding NRSROs' compliance with regulatory requirements. Identifying, researching, and analyzing policy and regulatory issues under the federal securities laws as they relate to the regulation of NRSROs. Providing interpretive guidance on Section 15E of the Securities Exchange Act and the related rules. Researching and evaluating statutes, regulations, and disclosure documents, and drafting substantive legal documents, memoranda, and reports. Analyzing market trends within the credit rating industry and assessing the impact of proposed legislation and Commission rules and regulations.

Qualifications

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. 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 at least 2 years 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: Providing advice on issues and policies related to federal securities laws, statutes, rules and regulations. SK-14: Applicant must have at least 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, which also includes at least two years: Providing advice on issues and policies related to federal securities laws, statutes, rules and regulations; AND Conducting reviews and analyses of the most legal issues to ensure legal adequacy, sufficiency, and soundness of actions recommended or taken. ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information: Competency 1: Workload Management (core) - Effectively prioritizes workload in a way that accommodates unforeseen developments and achieves successful outcomes. Competency 2: Legal and Regulatory Analysis - Conducts analysis and prepares documents and reports in compliance with Federal law that governs the rulemaking process. Competency 3: Teamwork and Collaboration - Interacts with internal and external others in a manner that advances examinations and SEC goals and objectives. Competency 4: Managing Information (core): Ability to ensure that programs strategically utilize and share information, with some guidance.

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. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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.