Law Clerk (Chair's Attorney Honors Program)

Duties

At the 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.

The Chair's Attorney Honors Program is a program that allows students to begin work as Law Clerks after graduation and before passing the bar. Upon admission to a state bar association, Law Clerks are eligible to be converted to Attorney positions. This program is designed for third year law students and LLM, joint degree JD/graduate students as a means to secure future employment with the SEC. If selected, you are assigned to a single Division or Office, this program does not involve rotational opportunities.

It is the responsibility of the Commission to interpret and enforce federal securities laws; issue new rules and amend existing rules; oversee the inspection of securities firms, brokers, investment advisers, and ratings agencies; oversee private regulatory organizations in the securities, accounting, and auditing fields; and coordinate U.S. securities regulation with federal, state, and foreign authorities. The Commission is concerned primarily with promoting the disclosure of important market-related information, maintaining fair dealing, and protecting against fraud.

The following divisions and offices are hiring for the Fall 2024 Chair's Attorney Honors Program at the SEC. You will be asked to rank your top three choices of office. You will be given priority consideration of these offices, but may be contacted by any of them.

SEC.gov | SEC Divisions Homepages

• Division of Investment Management (IM)
• Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
• Division of Corporation Finance (CF)
• Division of Examinations (EXAMS) - Broker-Dealer and Exchange Examination Program (HQ)
• Division of Examinations (EXAMS) - Broker-Dealer and Exchange Examination Program - Miami Regional Office (Miami)
• Division of Enforcement (ENF) - Philadelphia Regional Office (Philadelphia)
• Division of Enforcement (ENF) - Washington, D.C. (HQ)

Typical duties caninclude:
Actual duties will depend on placement within the Commission

• Investigating possible violations of the federal securities laws
• Conducting related legal research and writing
• Providing guidance to companies on SEC rules and forms
• Providing input for the proposal of new and revised rules to the Commission
• Working with a rulemaking team or rule filings submitted by self-regulatory organizations
• Working on matters related to the equity, options, security-based swaps, and fixed income markets

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• CITIZENSHIP: This position is open to US Citizens.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• This position is in the collective bargaining unit.
• Starting on the Entrance on Duty (EOD) date, law clerks have 14 months to pass the bar. Failure to do so can result in termination.
• This position has promotion potential to the SK-11.
• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• You must possess a J.D. or LL.B Degree by the intended Entrance on Duty (EOD) date.
• This position is eligible to request telework in accordance with the SEC 's telework policy.

Qualifications

• Be a current law student who will graduate prior to September 2024; OR
• Be a current joint-degree law student who will complete all academic requirements for both degrees and graduate from both programs prior to September 2024.

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

Additional information

The Chair's Attorney Honors Program appointments for Law Clerks are for 14-months pending bar association admission. Upon admission to a state bar association, Law Clerks can be converted to Attorneys for the remainder of the program and for future employment. The Chair's Attorney Honors Program is a two-year long developmental program.

Promotion Potential: Upon conversion to an Attorney position, this position has promotion potential to the SK-14 grade level.

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade; however, a selectee's initial pay is always set below the maximum rate of the range. Please click here for additional information.

Disability Employment: For information on disability appointments, please visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) is available to individuals who have special priority selection rights under this plan. Individuals must be minimally qualified for this position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP eligibles will be considered minimally qualified if they meet the minimum requirements for this position.

Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation for disability to participate in the application process at the SEC, submit the form for Reasonable Accommodation for Participation in Job Application Process here. Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, sex (not limited to conduct which is sexual in nature, includes pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender status), age (40 and over), religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, retaliation for participating in the EEO process or opposing discrimination. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination. Click here for additional information.

SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: For questions regarding SEC pay setting practices, please click here.

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

• Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
• Required: Your complete and comprehensive resume that includes a complete history of your work experience and the applicable employment dates with months and years. If you are a current or former Federal employee, it is recommended that your resume include thetitle, series, and grade (e.g. SK-0301-12) for all relevant Federal experience . To determine if you qualify for this position, OHR will review your work history that is relevant to the specific position for which you applied. If you are an external candidate selected for this position, OHR will review your complete work history to establish your starting salary. If you are a current SEC employee selected for this position, the standard percentage increases will be applied (i.e., 6% for non-supervisory and 10% for supervisory positions) if your selection results in a promotion. If your selection results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) you will maintain your current salary.Note: Your resume must directly address the definition of specialized experience listed in the qualification section of this announcement and must NOT contain pictures. For external candidates: Information on how your resume will be used for pay setting purposes can be found here.
• Required: Cover letter. Provide a cover letter that includes information you wish to express to the selecting official that is outside of what is included in your resume. The cover letter can simply be addressed to "Dear Hiring Committee".
• Required: An unofficial law school transcript. (Note: If you are selected for this position, an official transcript will be required).
• Required: Proof of current enrollment (Note: if your unofficial transcript reflects current enrollment status as well, please upload the same document twice.)
• Required: Legal writing sample, no longer than 10-pages.
• Required, if applicable: Veteran's documentation (DD-214, member 4 copy or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge.)
• Required, if applicable: Copy of your latest SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).
• Required, if applicable: CTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.)

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• Screenshots of documents will not be accepted.
• Additional materials will not be accepted after the announcement closes (e.g. updated grades, updated resume, etc.).
• Your full name must be clearly visible on all documents.
• Do not submit encrypted documents.
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If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.