Surveillance Analyst

About the role

This position is located in the Surveillance Branch within the Division of Enforcement. The Branch is responsible for the development, management, and evaluation of the Commission's market surveillance program.

What you will do

• Conduct in-depth market, trading, economic, statistical, and data analyses of a wide variety of commodity derivatives market data, including futures, options, swaps, digital assets, and prediction markets, along with related cash market products.
• Analyze trading by individuals and groups of traders in relation to price movements, price relationships, open interest, and volume of trading, applying sophisticated economic and statistical techniques to determine whether such activity represents basic supply and demand forces or potential artificial market disruption.
• Analyze elements of proof in market abuse and market/price manipulation cases, evaluate results, and prepare detailed reports incorporating tabular data and graphical data analysis for use by Commission Enforcement staff.
• Build and assist in the development of business intelligence dashboards in tools like Tableau or Allium to drive insights from complex datasets.
• Participate in the development of software prototypes to advance and automate surveillance techniques in support of the Branch's mission in a rapidly expanding and innovative industry.
• Strategic and Advisory Duties: Serve as a trusted advisor, translating analytic findings for attorney teams and senior leadership.
• Guide the successful completion of major projects, including reviewing output from data science professionals and other analysts to support tool development and an increased understanding of covered markets.
• Support the development of the agency's AI and data analytics strategy.

Requirements

• You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas: 1.
• Responsible and Ethical AI Use Knowledge and skills to apply AI in ways that protect personal/professional security, mitigate harm, and ensure mindful, informed, and productive interaction.
• This includes understanding bias, privacy, governance, and compliance 2.
• Identifying Data Limitations Ability to recognize AI's constraints, assess data quality, and evaluate outputs for accuracy, completeness, and relevance 3.
• Data Analysis Skills in selecting, preparing, managing, and analyzing data to meet project goals, including statistical methods, visualization, and domain-specific analytics.
• Machine Learning (ML) Competencies Understanding of ML concepts, algorithms, and applications, plus the ability to research, develop, and deploy generative AI tools and methodologies 5.
• AI Logic Competencies Knowledge of symbolic/logic-based AI, reasoning processes, and strategic decisions about when and how to apply these approaches.
• AI Literacy and Problem Solving Foundational understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, risks, and when human.
• Workflow Automation and AI Agent Orchestration Skills to design processes where AI handles repetitive tasks, and to manage multi-step AI agent workflows 8.
• AI Output Evaluation Critical review of AI results for factual accuracy, logic, and alignment with objectives

Education

There is no Education Requirement for the position.

How you will be evaluated

Your application will be evaluated and rated under CFTC Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement.

If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the best qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration.

Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. This recruitment will utilize the following assessment tools: Structured Evaluative Review Your application will be evaluated through an SME Evaluative Review.

Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will independently review your resume to assess how well your experience demonstrates the required competencies for this position listed in the "Requirements" section of this announcement. SMEs will assign scores based on the strength, relevance, and clarity of the information provided in your resume.

These individual evaluations will then be combined to determine your final score or rating category.

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.

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); Performance appraisal (optional); Transcripts (if required, an unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy with the date the degree was awarded is required prior to firm offer letter being extended) Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veteran preference, you should indicate the type of veteran preference you are claiming on your resume.
• In order to verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a copy of your veteran's documentation including a DD-214 (member 4 copy preferred, however, the documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
• In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the natural mother of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, “Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference,” and the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
• Although veteran preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under “How You Will Be Evaluated,” veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.
• 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: ***
• ICTAP/CTAP 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.

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