Records and Information Management Specialist

About the role

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as legal advisor to the CFTC's Commission, the Chair, the Executive Director, and the Agency as a whole.

OGC's legal advice includes, but is not limited to, areas such as Agency litigation, statutory and regulatory interpretation, rulemaking, analyses of proposed legislation, and other legal issues arising in connection with the administration and enforcement of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA).

What you will do

• This position is located in the Secretariat and Information Management Branch in the OGC.
• The Records and Information Management Specialist builds and carries out the work of the Commission's Records and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Office (RCO).
• At the full performance level the incumbent has the following responsibilities: Advise staff on records management and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements by providing expert technical guidance aligned with the Federal Records Act, 32 CFR 2002, and Commission policies and procedures.
• Assess the effectiveness of records management and CUI programs by conducting information‐gathering efforts, needs analyses, and gap assessments, and recommend improvements through briefings, studies, and policy proposals.
• Design, implement, and maintain records management and CUI requirements across enterprise technology platforms (e.g., M365, PowerPlatform, ServiceNow) by collaborating with IT, cybersecurity, privacy, and other information‐management stakeholders.
• Develop and manage records management and CUI policies, procedures, training, and disposition schedules by researching best practices, drafting and finalizing guidance, coordinating stakeholder input, and monitoring implementation.
• Coordinate enterprise records operations by managing the offsite records storage program as the contracting officer's representative (COR), training users, overseeing destruction of temporary records, and transferring permanent records to NARA.
• Deliver organization‐wide records management and/or CUI training and support continuity of operations by developing, implementing, and maintaining the agency's vital records program.

Education

Please refer to the OPM Records and Information Management Qualifications Standard for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position. 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 ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

Your application will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required for this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated against the core competencies required for this role using the assessment method(s) listed below.

Accomplishment Record: You will be required to submit an Accomplishment Record as part of your assessment. This requires you to provide written narratives detailing your past achievements as they relate to specific core competencies of this position. A panel will evaluate your narratives against benchmark ratings to determine your level of proficiency.

These panel scores will be averaged and transmuted into your final category rating. Applicants who successfully pass this review will be placed into one of three quality categories—Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified—based on demonstrated proficiency, experience, and alignment with the required competencies.

Quality Category Definitions: • Best Qualified – Applicants who substantially exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate exceptional proficiency across the core competencies. • Well Qualified – Applicants who clearly exceed the minimum qualifications and demonstrate strong competency across most areas. • Qualified – Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

Structured Interview Panel: Top candidates will be invited to participate in a Structured Interview Panel. This is a standardized interview process in which all candidates are asked the same job‐related questions. This assessment evaluates your technical proficiency, problem-solving ability, and overall fit for the position.

The assessments for this position are designed to evaluate your proficiency in the following competencies: Information Management – gathers, organizes, and maintains information and systems to ensure accessibility, accuracy, and effective use across the organization.

Planning and Evaluating – plans and prioritizes work, identifies required resources, establishes short‐ and long‐term goals, coordinates with stakeholders, and evaluates outcomes to improve program performance.

Oral/Written Communication – understands and conveys technical information clearly, prepares a wide range of materials, and provides guidance to others on complex or specialized topics.

Records Management and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) – maintains, safeguards, and retrieves records and CUI in accordance with federal requirements; ensures proper creation, marking, storage, access, and disposition throughout the records lifecycle.

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. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Documents you must provide

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max).
• If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision; Cover letter (optional); Most recent performance appraisal (optional); SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable; Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended; Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• If you wish to be considered under a Veteran's authority (VEOA, 30%+ disabled, etc.), please submit Veteran documentation such as your DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred or any copy showing dates and character of service), along with a VA letter, SF-15, or other applicable forms.
• Active‐duty members must provide an official statement of service from their command.
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
• If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
• To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria.
• You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority.
• Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: *** Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).
• Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
• If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.
• To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria.
• You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
• Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: ***
• CTAP/ICTAP Candidates MUST submit: 1.
• A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice; 2.
• A copy of your most recent Performance Rating; 3.
• A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and 4.
• A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local commuting area.
• The following links provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities: 1.
• 30% or more disabled veteran 3.
• Individuals with disabilities 4.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA 9.

What to expect next

For information on what each Application Status means, visit: *** Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement.

Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Additional information

This position is not in the Bargaining Unit. Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. Probationary Period: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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. Time-in-Grade: You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, if applicable.

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.