Summary

As the Chief Risk Officer, you will function as principal advisor to the Comptroller on OCC's enterprise-wide risks and the alignment of the agency's risk profile to its risk appetite. You will establish, lead, and continuously improve enterprise-wide risk management, governance, internal oversight programs, including internal control procedures and operations, evaluating control coverage and effectiveness, and maintaining related issues.

Duties

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As the Chief Risk Officer, you will:

• Be responsible for the development and administration of the system of policies, procedures, segregation of duties among business lines, authorization limits, and automated controls that prevent, detect, and correct operational, process, and compliance failures. Provide recommendations on risk appetite to executive management for approval.
• Codify key internal processes, quantify residual risk (system failure, human error, control gaps), and drive remediation so that day-to-day operations remain reliable and aligned with mandate objectives.
• Ensure business units regularly evaluate their own controls; validate those assessments through independent testing and continuous monitoring; and escalate weaknesses.
• Model how exogenous shocks (cyber-attacks, economic disruptions, bank failures, geopolitical events, technology outages, key-person loss, etc.) could impair the organization's ability to deliver its mandate and quantify the internal control and operational responses required.
• Define leading metrics, in coordination with Treasury Department, on control effectiveness, process integrity, compliance adherence, and vulnerability to external events; escalate breaches and trigger pre-agreed response plans.
• Ensure the organization can continue critical mandate-related activities under severe internal failures or exogenous disruptions; test recovery strategies, alternative processes, and decision-making protocols.
• Provide clear, forward-looking reporting on how well internal controls are protecting the mandate and how exogenous risks could still threaten it; recommend changes to risk appetite, resource allocation, or control investment so that residual risk remains within approved tolerance. Report out on findings as necessary to executive leadership and Treasury Department.
• Oversee the appeals office for independent review of examination decisions. Investigate, troubleshoot, and respond to complaints and inquiries regarding appeals. Lead the Customer Assistance Group (CAG) to ensure non-biased assistance with problem resolution for national bank customers.
• Lead, motivate and develop a staff of employees. Monitor the progress of assignments and evaluate training/developmental needs. Assess, evaluate and provide input to performance evaluations. Recommend personnel decisions regarding hiring, promotions, adverse action, etc.

Requirements

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Qualifications

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement:

You must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the NB-VII band level or GS-15 Grade Level. Examples of specialized experience for this position include:

• Leading the development and administration of an internal control framework.
• Advising executive leadership on risk appetite and internal controls designed to reduce the risk of operational and compliance issues.
• Conducting risk assessments of relevant internal operations and processes and developing strategies to improve reliability, compliance, efficiency and mission alignment.
• Establishing key risk indicators and early-warning indicators for internal control effectiveness and external-threat readiness.

The experience may have been gained in the public sector, private sector, or through volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis.

To receive any credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/year, and indicate the number of hours worked per week, on your resume.

Education

Education cannot be used to qualify for this position.

Additional information

• Salary range does not include geographical pay.
• For specific information on geographic pay differentials, click here
• Total pay cannot exceed applicable pay cap, which is $319,800 for 2026.
• One position may be filled in any of the locations specified above.
• If you are a current OCC employee who previously received a waiver determination permitting you to retain bank securities due to extenuating circumstances, please note that this determination may be rescinded if the nature of your duty's changes. We strongly suggest that you discuss the potential implications of any change in duties on a prior securities determination with your ethics official.
• We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more positions.
• The candidate selected for this position may be credited with directly related non-Federal experience for annual leave purposes if eligible and considered appropriate.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information and instructions.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and U.S. national.
• Please refer to "Conditions of Employment."
• Click "Print" to review the entire announcement before applying.
• Optional Essay Questions: Applicants may choose to respond to four short essay questions (200 words max each) to help us better understand your alignment with the agency's mission. These responses are optional and will not affect the applicant's eligibility.
• All newly appointed employees to the competitive service are subject to a probationary period. During this time, your performance, conduct, and suitability for continued employment will be evaluated. You will not automatically convert to permanent status at the end of the probationary period. Your supervisor must affirmatively determine that continued employment is in the best interest of the Federal service. If no certification is made before the probationary period ends, your appointment will be terminated. You are encouraged to actively engage with your supervisor, seek feedback, and understand role expectations. Additional guidance and support will be provided during onboarding.

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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.

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.