Trial Attorney

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Enforcement (DOE) is responsible for investigating suspected violations and enforcing the Commodity Exchange Act.

Duties

The Division of Enforcement is responsible for conducting investigations and enforcement activities pursuant to the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder (Regulations). These include investigating suspected violations of said statute, rules, and regulations, conducting administrative proceedings before the Commission itself, and conducting civil actions in federal district courts including injunctive and subpoena enforcement actions.

If selected, you will join a well-respected team, serving as a trial attorney, responsible for supporting the Act and Regulations adopted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). 

At the full performance level, the duties include:

• Investigating suspected violations of the Act and Regulations by taking investigative testimony, interviewing witnesses, acquiring and reviewing documentary information, and analyzing the evidence to determine whether violations of the Act and Regulations have occurred;
• Litigating all phases of CFTC enforcement actions against defendants in U.S. District Courts including writing federal court complaints and Commission litigation recommendation memoranda; propounding and responding to written discovery; taking and defending depositions; researching, writing and arguing motions before federal district court judges; and representing the CFTC at trials and other proceedings; and
• Engaging in cooperative enforcement by working in parallel with other federal and state agencies including, among others, the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Salary

• $129,740 - $225,198/year

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service
• Required to serve a 2-year trial period

Bar Membership: Currently an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Applicants are responsible for citing minimum qualifications such as JD and/or LLM equivalent and Bar membership information (institution name, state for bar, and dates) on their respective resumes. Failure to supply details will result in an incomplete application.

You must answer each qualification question for the grade or grades you wish to be considered for employment.

Qualifications

To qualify at each grade level, you must have the following: 

CT-13: You must have a J.D. and/or LLM equivalent Degree, bar membership and three years of relevant legal practice experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from law school.

Qualifying experience may include: demonstrating excellent writing and critical thinking skills; participating in investigations; interviewing witnesses; reviewing documents; researching and writing legal memoranda and litigation documents; knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence; developing case strategy; drafting initial pleadings; engaging in all aspects of discovery; deposition preparation; conducting depositions; and assisting senior attorneys in preparation of trial in federal court, and participating in trials.

CT-14: You must have a J.D. and/or LLM equivalent Degree, bar membership and four years of relevant of legal practice experience, acquired after being admitted to the bar, commensurate with the duties and responsibilities of a legal position. Relevant experience is defined as an attorney, law clerk, or other legal experience which was obtained subsequent to graduation from law school.  

Qualifying experience may include: demonstrating excellent writing and critical thinking skills; leading investigations; taking primary responsibility in interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, and researching and writing legal memoranda and litigation documents; substantial knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence; developing case strategy; drafting initial pleadings; engaging in all aspects of discovery; deposition preparation; conducting depositions; having primary responsibility in preparing for and conducting trials; briefing senior managers or clients on factual developments and legal theories of ongoing investigations and litigations.

Selections may be made at either grade level.

Education Education: Successful completion of a full course of study (JD) and/or LLM, or equivalent, in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). 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. 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 Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. This evaluation must be provided by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of this vacancy announcement. We will only accept the completed foreign education evaluation. Other Information

All employees are required to follow the Agency’s telework policy. If selected, you will be required to report to your assigned duty station to complete all onboarding procedures.

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Trial Period: You may be subject to a two-year trial period, if applicable.

This is a Bargaining Unit Position located in the National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) Chapter 337.

This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions. 

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.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of non-service-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Required Documents

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (cover letter optional). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision
• JD and/or LLM and Bar membership details (unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with date degree was awarded is required prior to firm offer letter being extended) The date degree was awarded must be included on transcripts
• Bar membership details
• Certificate of Good Standing
• Writing sample, illustrating relevant experience (optional)
• Cover Letter (optional)
• SF-50 (if applicable) 

How to Apply

YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE.

Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. You must complete and submit an application by accessing the USAJOBS website at USAJOBS.GOV.  To begin, click the Apply Online button within the vacancy announcement and follow the prompts to create an account using LOGIN.GOV, if you have not done so already. LOGIN.GOV will walk you through each step of the account set-up and will automatically link your USAJOBS profile to LOGIN.GOV.  Once you have established an account using LOGIN.GOV, you will then go back to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to answer the questions, and submit all required documents. If you already have established an LOGIN.GOV account or want to return to your saved application go to USAJOBS.GOV using your LOGIN.GOV user name and password to apply or view your profile. If you have problems completing your on-line application, including problems submitting your supporting documents, please contact the Help Desk by e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or phone at 1-866.656.6831. The help desk is available Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, ten Federal holidays, life insurance, free dental, medical benefits, Life Cycle/Wellness Fund, telework, flexible work schedules and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Explore the major benefits offered to CFTC employees at http://www.cftc.gov/About/Careers/EmployeeBenefits/index.htm.

Review our benefits