Attorney-Adviser (Counsel)

Securities and Exchange Commission•New York, NY

About The Position

The Office of Credit Ratings (OCR) is seeking an Attorney-Adviser (Counsel) to help the Commission protect investors, promote capital formation, and maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets by overseeing credit rating agencies registered with the Commission as nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs). The role involves collaborating with OCR colleagues to examine and monitor NRSROs for compliance with Commission rules and applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act. The Attorney-Adviser contributes to defining examination scope and fact-finding based on risk assessments; reviews and analyzes documents; prepares written work products; interviews NRSRO personnel; evaluates examination findings; and develops conclusions about regulatory compliance. The position also involves researching policy and regulatory issues under federal securities laws, providing interpretive guidance on Section 15E of the Securities Exchange Act and related rules, researching statutes, regulations, and disclosure documents, and drafting legal documents, memoranda, and reports. The Attorney-Adviser analyzes credit-rating-industry trends and assesses proposed legislation and Commission rules and regulations. The basic qualifications require a J.D. or LL.B. and active bar membership in good standing. Applicants must also meet the experience requirements for the applicable SK-13 or SK-14 level. The position is subject to federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship, a pre-employment security investigation, possible drug testing, and a two-year trial period (one year for preference-eligible veterans) when applicable.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
J.D. or LL.B. degree.
Active membership in good standing of the bar in a U.S. state, territory, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; proof is required before entry on duty.
SK-13: At least 2 years of post-J.D. work experience identifying legal issues, conducting legal research, providing legal analyses and recommendations or solutions, and preparing legal documents; this must include at least 1 year advising on issues and policies related to federal securities laws, statutes, rules, and regulations.
SK-14: At least 3 years of post-J.D. work experience independently identifying legal issues, providing legal analyses and recommendations or solutions, and preparing legal documents; this must include at least 2 years advising on issues and policies related to federal securities laws, statutes, rules, and regulations, and conducting reviews and analyses of legal issues to ensure the adequacy, sufficiency, and soundness of recommended or taken actions.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
Completion of a pre-employment security investigation is required; favorable background-investigation results may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
The position may be subject to drug testing.
Must report to the duty station(s) listed in the announcement.
Must serve a two-year trial period, or one year for preference-eligible veterans, if the position is not the same as or similar to the applicant's current position of record.
Submit required application materials by the announcement closing date; required education documentation must be provided as applicable.
Demonstrate workload management, legal and regulatory analysis, teamwork and collaboration, and managing information competencies.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively within OCR to lead and participate in examinations and monitoring of NRSROs for compliance with Commission rules and applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act.
Contribute to determining examination scope and the depth of fact-finding based on risk assessments.
Review and analyze documents; prepare written work deliverables; interview NRSRO personnel; evaluate examination findings; and formulate conclusions regarding regulatory compliance.
Identify, research, and analyze policy and regulatory issues under federal securities laws relating to NRSRO regulation.
Provide interpretive guidance on Section 15E of the Securities Exchange Act and related rules.
Research and evaluate statutes, regulations, and disclosure documents, and draft substantive legal documents, memoranda, and reports.
Analyze market trends in the credit-rating industry and assess the impact of proposed legislation and Commission rules and regulations.