Closing Date: 14th July, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Division of Trading and Markets (TM) Office of Market Supervision (OMS) is seeking applicants for their Attorney Adviser (Senior Special Counsel - Office of Market Supervision) position. OMS oversees all aspects of securities and securities-based trading platforms such as national securities exchanges, security-based swap execution facilities, and alternative trading systems. The office also oversees rules and policy related to securities trading and the national market system.

Duties:
In this role as a Senior Special Counsel - Office of Market Supervision, you will be responsible for:
  • Carrying out a wide variety of duties relating to the securities markets and certain market participants, including review and analysis of rule changes and filings submitted by self-regulatory organizations (SROs) and other market participants, and work on rulemaking initiatives and special projects relating to the equity, debt, security-based swaps, and other security derivatives markets.
  • Assisting the senior staff in the Division, and other offices and divisions in the Commission on a wide array of matters relating to securities and financial markets.
  • Participating in advising on policy matters relating to the securities and financial markets and provide technical assistance in the development and implementation of major SEC initiatives in the securities area.
  • Leading staff teams in the preparation of legal and regulatory materials; summarize factual and legal issues involved; brief Commission and TM leadership; and present recommendations as to the proper course of action.
  • Playing a leading role in developing additional rules, regulations, and policies designed to ensure appropriate and effective oversight of national securities exchanges, national securities associations, security-based swap execution facilities, broker-dealers; alternative trading systems; securities information processors; and other regulated entities.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • Citizenship: You must be a US citizen.
  • Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
  • 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.
  • Drug Testing: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
  • 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.
  • Trial Period: Consistent with 5 U.S.C. 7511, you will be required to serve a two-year trial period (one year for preference eligible veterans) if the position to which you have applied is not the same or similar to your current position of record.
  • You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree and you must be an active member of the bar in good standing.
  • The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.

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-16: Applicant must have at least four years post-J.D experience 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 three years:
  • Interpreting and applying the provisions of the securities laws, rules, and regulations related to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as they apply to securities exchanges, security futures exchanges, security-based swap execution facilities, alternative trading systems, or national security associations, and
  • Developing recommendations and advising on legal, regulatory, or policy matters related to the regulation of financial markets.

Accomplishment Record Competencies: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:
  • Legal and Regulatory Analysis: Conducts analysis and prepares documents and reports in compliance with Federal law that governs the rulemaking process.
  • Critical Thinking: Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.
  • Workload Management: Effectively prioritizes workload in a way that accommodates unforeseen developments and achieves successful outcomes.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Interacts with internal and external others in a manner that advances SEC goals and objectives.

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. (https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications)

Applicants may also find the following helpful:
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) (http://www.naces.org/) is an association of 19 credential evaluation services with admission standards and an enforced code of good practice.

Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) (http://aice-eval.org/) is an association of 10 credential evaluation services with a board of advisors and an enforced code of ethics.

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.

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 click here  (https://www.sec.gov/ohr/sec-compensation)for a compensation overview.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, click here. (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/)

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the SEC application proc