Summary

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) provides legal services to the Commission, ensuring that all agency actions comply with the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and related regulations. OGC represents the Commission in federal courts and before administrative bodies in litigation involving enforcement appeals, challenges to Commission actions, derivatives industry bankruptcies, employment matters, and other administrative proceedings.

Duties

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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is seeking a highly skilled Attorney Advisor to serve in the Secretariat and Information Management Branch of OGC, you will:
• Provide expert legal advice on all Privacy and FOIA matters, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, case law, and government wide privacy and disclosure requirements.
• Draft, review, and advise on privacy and FOIA related regulations, rulemakings, policies, legislative proposals, and agency initiatives, identifying legal impacts and recommending revisions.
• Develop and maintain required privacy documentation-including SORNs, PIAs, Privacy Act Statements, and agency privacy policies-and support redress, correction, and complaint management procedures.
• Monitor and analyze changes in privacy and FOIA laws, regulations, and case law, updating agency policies and advising leadership on compliance implications and risk mitigation strategies.
• Deliver training and agency wide awareness on Privacy and FOIA requirements, developing materials, briefings, and communication resources for employees and stakeholders.
• Assess privacy risks associated with new or evolving data collections, technologies, and business processes, ensuring legal authority, data minimization, and compatibility of PII uses.
• Handles FOIA and Privacy Act request processing, including analysis of records, release determinations, appeals, litigation support, and coordination with internal and external parties.
• Prepare required reports to Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Congress, and oversight bodies (e.g., SAOP FISMA Report), and maintain awareness of current disclosure developments affecting FOIA and Privacy Act compliance.

Requirements

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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.

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:

1. Legal, Government, & Jurisprudence
2. Ethics & Integrity
3. Compliance & Enforcement
4. Critical Thinking / Problem Solving

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.

AND

CT-12:

1. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or an equivalent law degree,
2. Active bar membership and in good standing,
3. At least 2 years of relevant legal experience obtained after graduation from law school.

CT-13:

1. Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or an equivalent law degree,
2. Active bar membership and in good standing,
3. At least 3 years of relevant legal experience obtained after graduation from law school.

Relevant legal experience is defined as experience as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal work that is obtained after graduating from 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 position is NOT a Bargaining Unit position.

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 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.

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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

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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.

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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.