Summary

The Director position is in the Office of the Investor Advocate (OIAD) located in Washington, DC and is open to all US citizens, with the exception of current SEC employees and the limitations set forth below.

An individual who serves as the Investor Advocate may not be employed by the Commission:

1. During the 2-year period ending on the date of appointment as Investor Advocate; or
2. During the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the person ceases to serve as the Investor Advocate

Duties

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If selected, you will serve as the Investor Advocate, Office of the Investor Advocate.

Typical duties include:

• Identifying areas in which investors would benefit from regulatory changes and proposing appropriate changes to the SEC and self-regulatory organizations.
• Identifying investor problems with financial service providers and investment products.
• Conducting outreach to investors to solicit views on relevant issues.
• Analyzing the potential impact on investors of proposed SEC regulations or SRO rules, including through conducting investor research.
• Assisting investors in resolving problems with the SEC or SROs, including through supervision of the SEC's Ombudsman.
• Proposing to Congress changes that would mitigate problems identified and promoting the interests of investors.
• Adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices.
• Interacting with a variety of organizations and individuals, including Commissioners, SEC staff and management, Congress, and the general public.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• CITZENSHIP: 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.
• SUPERVISORY PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a two year supervisory/managerial probationary period.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a one-year probationary period.
• The selectee is required to report to the duty station(s) listed.

Qualifications

Time-in-grade for this announcement is one year at the GS/SK-14 level.

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the HowYou 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT:

SO-03: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14 level:

1. Advocating for the interests of investors in securities and investor protection issues, from the perspective of investors;
2. Recommending statutory, regulatory or policy changes/solutions;
3. Interpreting and applying the provision of federal or state securities laws or the rules of self-regulatory organizations;
4. Analyzing legal and/or factual issues in regards to corporate governance, accounting, corporate disclosures, or related matters; AND
5. Analyzing the impact of federal or state securities laws and/or the rules of self-regulatory organizations on retail investors, including under-served or vulnerable groups (e.g., minorities, women, older investors).

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES: Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:

1. Leading the Organization: Build and support the vision, create strategies to achieve the vision, support and lead innovative and creative initiatives to meet organizational goals.
2. Leading and Developing People: Recruit, lead, develop and manage the workforce, manage differences and potential conflicts between employees, build teams that meet and exceed an organization's mission, strategic plan, and goals.
3. Results Orientation: Meet organizational goals by managing a program, identifying and solving important problems, making sound and timely decisions, and managing and sharing information.
4. Building Coalitions: Build coalitions by partnering with others to build strategic relationships and influencing and negotiating to achieve favorable outcomes.
5. General Legal Guidance: Apply and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the securities industry.
6. Strategic Thinking/Execution: Realize an organization's vision, anticipate, identify, and address the impact and link them to capabilities and potential of the organization. Capitalize on opportunities and manages risks affecting investors under federal securities laws.
7. Influencing/Negotiating: Effect change to gain buy-in to achieve desired organizational outcomes and advocating for the interests of investors.

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: 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 visit the agency's Compensation Overview page for more information.

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.

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.