CFPB Director’s Financial Analyst Program

About the Bureau

We are at a critical moment in our nation. Americans’ financial lives have suffered tremendously as a result of the pandemic, the associated economic dislocation, and ongoing racial inequity. These challenges are most acute for the most economically vulnerable Americans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was created for moments like this. Born out of the Great Recession, the CFPB was forged in crisis to vigorously protect America’s consumers. Our mission is to regulate the offering and provision of consumer financial products or services under the federal consumer financial laws, to enforce federal consumer financial law fairly and consistently, and to educate and empower consumers making financial decisions. Diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences are critical in carrying out our mission because to serve the interests of American consumers, we need to understand their varying perspectives and interests.

The CFPB has rulemaking, supervisory, and independent litigating authority, and its jurisdiction includes certain aspects of mortgage lending, credit reporting, auto lending, small-dollar lending, debt collection, student lending, and consumer bank accounts, among other consumer financial areas.

The Director’s Financial Analyst (DFA) Program

The DFA Program is a highly selective, two-year full-time rotational fellowship designed to engage new entry professionals in meaningful public service work. We seek a select number of recent college graduates to join the CFPB in this entry-level job that challenges them to use their analytical skills to help make financial markets work better for all. DFAs utilize their analytical capabilities to support Bureau initiatives including, but not limited to, research, benchmarking, comparative analysis, data analysis, problem solving, collaboration, and project management. DFAs complete two, year-long rotations in various divisions of the CFPB, gaining an understanding of the Bureau’s mission and work as well as exposure to multiple policy areas.

During the program, DFAs will help to empower American consumers, develop professional skills, and grow their public service network through exposure to many aspects of a mission-driven agency. DFAs will join a cohort of public service-minded peers they can stay connected to throughout their career journeys. The DFA Program also provides mentorship and both formal and informal training to enhance skills in analytical thinking, writing, communication, and project management.

All DFAs are duty stationed at the CFPB headquarters in Washington, D.C. DFAs are hired at the CN-30 level pay band. Promotion and telework opportunities may be available during the program.

Sample assignments include:

• Supporting CFPB rulemaking efforts through data analysis, research, and outreach with economists, industry experts, and other CFPB stakeholders.
• Conducting market data analysis, creating data visualizations, and providing regulatory guidance to industry through the CFPB’s inquiry functions.
• Conducting data analysis and implementing, managing, and analyzing industry surveys in support of a major rule assessment, enforcement action, or policy priority.
• Providing project management and implementation support to business transformation initiatives, policy development processes, and strategic priority initiatives.
• Conducting data analysis and participating in stakeholder engagement with financial institutions in support of the Bureau’s efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in financial services.

To Apply

We want our agency’s workforce to reflect the diversity of the American public. Our work will be most effective when we are able to incorporate a broad range of perspectives. We are, therefore, particularly interested in hearing from a diverse set of candidates with a range of personal and professional experiences.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

(1) Current resume, highlighting education and work experience;

(2) School transcript (an unofficial version is acceptable for application only) or proof of degree completion;

(3) Cover letter, describing why you want to work at the Bureau, the type of work you would like to do, and how your experiences will contribute to your success at the Bureau; and

(4) Veterans’ Preference documentation, if applicable.

Candidate Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated for program eligibility based on required submissions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If a candidate meets minimum qualification requirements, they will be invited to complete a written assessment exercise. Applicants may be asked to complete additional screening processes, including interviews. Veterans’ preference will be applied as appropriate.

Program Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the DFA Program (CN-30 pay band), an applicant must:

(1) Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Selectees who accept the job offer will undergo a background investigation.

(2) Be a current undergraduate student who anticipates graduation between December 2023 and June 2024 or an individual who earned an undergraduate degree on or after April 1, 2021. (The degree generally must be from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education).

(3) Have completed, or anticipate completing between December 2023 and June 2024, a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (or equivalent).

(4) Have successfully completed at least five quantitative courses in any of the following: econometrics, statistics, mathematics, quantitative methods, finance, or similar coursework indicating numeric competency and/or grounded in quantitative analysis.

• Course work must have prepared the candidate to perform basic statistical techniques such as regression analysis, descriptive statistics, probability distributions, statistical t-tests, confidence intervals, ANOVA, and correlation coefficients.
• You may choose to highlight your five relevant courses that meet the quantitative course requirement in your transcript that is submitted with your application.

If you are eligible for Schedule A appointments due to a qualifying disability, please reach out directly to CFPB_DisabilityProgram@cfpb.gov for further information and assistance.

Information Sessions

The CFPB will host information sessions about the DFA Program and the application process, including a question-and-answer period conducted over WebEx. You must register to attend. You should confirm you are able to access WebEx through your web browser or by downloading the application in advance of the webinar start time. The webinar sessions will take place on the following dates.

Webinar Session 1: Wednesday, September 20, 2023; 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET

Webinar Session 2: Wednesday, October 11, 2023; 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET

Webinar Session 3: Tuesday, November 7, 2023; 5:00pm – 6:00pm ET

Join us for our drop-in Open House sessions held on the day after each webinar. No new information will be presented at these sessions, but they serve as an opportunity to meet with DFA Program Management, Recruiting Leads, and current DFAs to ask any remaining questions about the DFA program and application process.

Open House Session 1: Thursday, September 21, 2023; 1:00pm – 3:00pm ET

Open House Session 2: Thursday, October 12, 2023; 2:00pm – 4:00pm ET

Open House Session 3: Wednesday, November 8, 2023; 3:00pm – 5:00pm ET

If you have additional questions or would like to be added to our email list to be notified of the window opening and closing, please email CFPB_DFA_Program@cfpb.gov.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions