Virtual Currency Senior Blockchain Analyst (Financial Services Specialist 2 (Financial Crimes Risk), SG-23)

About Us

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 Role

The Department of Financial Services is seeking candidates for the position of Virtual Currency Senior Blockchain Analyst, (Financial Services Specialist 2 (Financial Crimes Risk)) in Virtual Currency.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates on-chain illicit activity risk leveraging attribution from multiple blockchain analytics tools
• Monitors dashboards daily identifying data anomalies and exposure to high-risk illicit activity
• Conduct ongoing research identifying new financial crime transaction patterns and typologies, escalating and presenting findings to management
• Proactively monitors and evaluates licensed entities on-chain direct/indirect exposure to OFAC designations, FinCEN Section 9714 Orders, 311 Special Measures, terrorist financing, mixers, darknet markets, CSAM, ransomware, scams, and other illicit activities
• Execute on triggered/ad hoc alerts by conducting complex investigations, using a suite of blockchain analytics and due diligence tools. Document findings in PowerPoint decks and present findings to management
• Drafts Request for Information (RFI) documents and engages with licensed entities as needed to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, guidance, warnings and expectations outside examination cycle
• Serves as a resource on crypto related BSA/AML matters for all functions of the Virtual Currency & VC Limited Purpose Trust Units, including applications, supervision, examinations, and the consideration of material-change-of-business requests
• Prepares comprehensive reports documenting findings when performing investigations, licensing reviews, and examinations
• Remains current on the evolving financial crime risks and typologies, existing and emerging blockchains, tokens, and technologies impacting industry risk
• Identifies areas for enhancing the Virtual Currency Financial Crimes ongoing monitoring processes related to the use of blockchain analytics and internal dashboards
• Maintains a solid understanding of the BSA/AML laws, regulations, guidance, and best practices, relevant to assessing risk-based Anti-money laundering programs (AML) within the virtual currency space
• Assists management in the development, review and revision of Financial Crime related policies and procedures
• Presents analyses and findings to colleagues and leadership at DFS, often making reasoned recommendations for agency action
• Ability to read and write fluently in English
• Travel may be required up to 25%

Requirements

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

Non-Competitive

Seven (7) years of specialized experience in one (1) of the following:

• Evaluating financial institution financial crime risk (BSA/AML, CIP, OFAC/Sanctions, CTF) in a management, compliance or audit environment
• Developing and implementing financial crime risk management or compliance policies, programs and procedures

An associate degree may substitute for two years of specialized experience; bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of specialized experience; master's degree may substitute for five years of specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for six years of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for seven years of specialized experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Subject matter expertise and/or experience in one or more of the following are preferred:

• 5+ years of experience working in the Financial Industry
• 2+ years of direct experience working in the crypto industry utilizing blockchain analytics and other investigation tools, including OSINT, due diligence, dashboards, etc.
• Subject matter expertise in financial crime risk, typologies, fraud, virtual assets, blockchain analytics, Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering (BSA/AML), Sanctions (OFAC), and related laws, regulations, guidance, and best practices
• General knowledge of cybersecurity laws, regulations, and industry issues
• Valid (non-expired) certifications held:
  • Blockchain Analytics Tool Certification(s)
  • Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists: Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, Certified Cryptoasset AFC Specialist, Certified Anti-Fraud Specialist, Certified Global Sanctions Specialist, Advanced AML Audit Certification, Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Certification
  • Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists: Certified Financial Crime Specialist
  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners: Certified Fraud Examiner
  • American Bankers Association: Certified AML and Fraud Professional; ABA Certificate in BSA and AML Compliance; ABA Certificate in Fraud Compliance; Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager

Benefits

Salary: The starting salary for this position is $90,582 with periodic increases up to $114,585.

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 $4,000 annual downstate adjustment.

Appointment Status: Permanent