Virtual Currency Analyst (Financial Services Specialist 1 (Compliance), SG-18)

Description

Duties Description

The New York State Department of Financial Services seeks to build an equitable, transparent, and resilient financial system that benefits individuals and supports business. Through engagement, data-driven regulation and policy, and operational excellence, the Department and its employees are responsible for empowering consumers and protecting them from financial harm; ensuring the health of the entities we regulate; driving economic growth in New York through responsible innovation; and preserving the stability of the global financial system.

The Department of Financial Services is seeking candidates for the position of Virtual Currency Analyst in the Virtual Currency or Limited Purpose Trust Unit within the Research & Innovation Division. The Virtual Currency Analyst serves as a specialist for the regulated Virtual Currency entities, including companies holding licenses or charters enabling them to engage in virtual currency business activities. Travel may be required within and outside New York State.

Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To, The Following

• Supports the supervision and examination of BitLicensees and/or Limited Purpose Trust Charters, for compliance with relevant laws, regulations, guidance, and supervisory expectations;
• Reviews prior examination reports, and periodic reports submitted by institution(s) to become informed of specific problem areas, overall financial condition, management of institution(s) and to plan examination;
• Prepares comprehensive summaries of reviews done in support of applications, supervision and examination materials for management;
• Discusses findings with senior staff and revises reports as needed;
• Maintains all institution files in shared records locations and ensures senior staff have access to relevant information;
• Supports the build-out of or enhancements to internal policies and procedures related to applications, supervision, and examination processes;
• Remains up-to-date on best practices in the examination of financial institutions, including those that deal with Virtual Currency, including skills involving blockchain monitoring and blockchain analytics; transaction sampling for purposes including the validation of transaction monitoring and sanctions screening systems; the verification of claimed Virtual Currency holdings; validation of stablecoin backing assets; auditing of the self-certification of coin listings by regulated companies; and observation of the application of anti-fraud and market-manipulation policies and procedures;
• As needed, reviews and processes applications for Bitlicesenses and/or Limited Purpose Trust Charters and participates in the oversight of regulated entities, including applications to adopt material changes of business;
• Communicates with and presents to senior management, both orally and in written memoranda and presentations, analyzes issues and/or recommends DFS action on any issues encountered in connection with the above; and
• Supports new initiatives around policy supervision and internal processes
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following are not required but are helpful:

• Virtual currency.
• Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-money Laundering (BSA/AML), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and related laws, regulations, and best practices.
• Cybersecurity laws, regulations, and issues.
• Internal controls / governance.
• Financial analysis.
• Accounting.
• The use of blockchain analytics software.
  
  

Appointment method: Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications listed below in order to be eligible for appointment.

Non-Competitive: A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Actuarial Science, Auditing, Business, Business Administration, Business and Technology, Commerce, Consumer Sciences, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Economics, Econometrics, Finance, Information Systems, Information System Engineering, Internal Controls, Health, Health Administration, Law, Mathematics, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Public Health, or Public Policy and two (2) years of specialized experience in one of the following:

• Evaluating the adequacy of board and management oversight of the financial institutions' compliance programs.
• Reviewing lending, deposit, insurance and other transactions to determine compliance with Financial Service’s applicable laws/regulations.
• Identifying financial institutions' potentially unfair, deceptive, abusive or discriminatory acts or practices.
• Reviewing financial institution programs, policies and procedures for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluating financial costs for the failure of financial services entities to adhere or comply with New York State, federal, or other states financial services laws.
  
  

A Master’s Degree in one (1) of the related fields or a J.D. may substitute for one (1) year of specialized experience. A Ph.D. in one (1) of the related fields may substitute for two (2) years of specialized experience.

Additional Comments

Please note that a change in negotiating unit may affect your salary, insurance and other benefits.

Salary: The starting salary for this position is $65,001 with periodic increases up to $82,656

Positions located within the New York City metropolitan area, as well as Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, are also eligible to receive an additional $3,400 annual downstate adjustment.

Appointment Status: Permanent

Appointment to this position is pending Governor Appointment’s Office and Division of Budget approval.