Attorney Advisor (Senior Assistant General Coun...

Closing Date: 31st August, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as legal advisor to the CFTC's Commission, the Chair, the Executive Director, and the Agency as a whole. OGC's legal advice includes, but is not limited to, areas such as Agency litigation, statutory and regulatory interpretation, rulemaking, analyses of proposed legislation, and other legal issues arising in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the Commission's implementing regulations.

Duties:
The incumbent serves as a Senior Attorney in the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Branch (LIAB) of the OGC and is responsible for supporting senior leadership through legal analysis, policy evaluation, and the preparation of high‑level written materials related to the Commission's statutory authorities and operations.

Typical duties include:

• Assisting in the preparation of reports, speeches, testimony, and other materials for Commission leadership.
• Reviewing, analyzing, and negotiating domestic and international MOUs, legal documents, and trade agreements to determine their impact on statutes administered by the Commission.
• Conducting legal research and providing substantive recommendations on proposed legislation affecting the Commission and entities involved in commodity futures markets.
• Drafting formal comments, preparing responses to FOIA appeals, and providing guidance on matters related to FOIA and other applicable statutes. Advising the General Counsel, Chairman, and Commissioners on complex, sensitive, and high‑visibility legal and policy issues.
• Developing and providing guidance for responses to inquiries from Congress, Federal agencies, attorneys, and the public regarding novel and complex legal issues arising under the Commission's authorities.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Favorable Background/Security Investigation
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be subject to a two-year trial period.
• Must be an active member of the bar in good standing.

Qualifications:
Basic Requirement: All applicants must possess the following:

• J.D.; 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)

And

CT-15 level: Candidates with a law degree (J.D. or equivalent) and bar membership and 5 years of relevant legal experience after completion of law school. At least one year of this experience must have been at a level of responsibility and difficulty to that of the position at the next lower level in the federal service (e.g., GS/CT-14) and clearly demonstrate knowledge, skills and ability to perform the duties to deal with cases characterized by complex legal or factual issues.

Relevant legal experience is defined as attorneys, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained after graduation from a law school. Legal and non- legal experience gained in the Federal government or private sector prior to completing a law degree cannot be used to satisfy the legal experience requirement. Work while in law school does not count.

Education:
Successful completion of a full course of study (J.D.) in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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

Additional Information:
Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• Your performance and conduct;
• The needs and interests of the agency;
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

This is a Bargaining Unit position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade. A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program (https://www.cftc.gov/careers/salary.htm) website for additional information.

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

Additional Information:
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: