Summary
Organization: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
Supervisor: E. Roy Hawkens, Chief Administrative Judge
Disclosures: This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure Reporting requirements and NRC prohibited securities ownership restrictions.
This is an Open Until Filled Vacancy Announcement. It will be used to fill positions as vacancies occur. Over the course of the open period, applications will be reviewed and referred for positions as they become available.
Clarification from the agency
Open to the public
Duties
Serves as a member of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, with primary responsibility for serving as a technical member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings. Prehearing activities include examining pleadings and filings, researching highly technical subject matter, and preparing orders. Hearing activities include such things as advising the Chairman of the Licensing Board concerning testimony and evidence, questioning or examining witnesses and evaluating their testimony, and assuring an accurate hearing record. Decision-related activities include studying the record, considering proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, researching precedents, and preparing written orders and decisions. Secondarily, as requested by the Chief Administrative Judge of the Panel, and not inconsistent with his/her primary adjudicatory proceeding responsibilities, performs other assigned duties, including advising the Chief Administrative Judge and the Panel concerning regulatory, administrative, and procedural matters relating to the licensing process of the NRC.
The Panel is comprised of legally trained administrative judges (Legal Administrative Judges), as well as scientifically and technically trained administrative judges (Technical Administrative Judges). The ASLBP conducts hearings and makes decisions with respect to granting, suspending, revoking, or amending licenses authorized by the Atomic Energy Act, including those related to nuclear power plants, enrichment facilities, fabrication facilities, fuel cycle related facilities (including those for spent fuel storage), and facilities licensed to possess nuclear materials. Hearings usually are conducted by a three-member Board, typically consisting of one Legal Administrative Judge and two Technical Administrative Judges who have experience and expertise in fields related to issues before the Board. This assignment will be associated with expected hearings to include the licensing of new commercial nuclear power plants, license renewal of existing nuclear power plants, and power uprates of existing power plants. Both Legal and Technical Administrative Judges are appointed as members to the Panel by the Commission on the basis of recognized experience and achievement in their field. Candidates found well qualified will either be appointed directly or placed on a register from which future appointments will be made.
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship Required
- This is a Drug Testing position.
- Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
Qualifications
Applications are being requested from outstanding candidates with expertise in engineering and scientific fields, especially nuclear engineering, environmental sciences/engineering, geology/hydrology/civil engineering, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, and radiological protection. Outstanding candidates in other disciplines related to the work of the ASLBP will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. A minimally qualified applicant must have at least 10 years of work experience in a field related to the ASLBP's work. However, a preferred candidate would have a Ph.D./M.D. (or equivalent education/experience) with at least 10 years of recent specialized experience beyond the Ph.D. that demonstrates expert and comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific discipline that can be applied to the adjudicatory work of the ASLBP. This experience should be extensive and focused on the field for which the applicant believes they are qualified, and should be evidenced by publication, teaching, public speaking, research, and/or extensive industry experience indicating that the applicant is a recognized expert in that field. At least one year of this experience should be comparable in complexity and responsibility to the kind of work normally assigned at the grade 15 level in the Federal government, or equivalent level in the private sector. The preferred candidate would demonstrate the ability to work courteously with others in an adversarial or collegial setting; to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff; and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts. Applicants must also possess the experience and professional stature required to perform successfully the important duties and activities of ASLBP Administrative Judges.
The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific field, including the ability to understand, interpret, and assimilate technical subject matter to evaluate evidence in a proceeding and provide a comprehensive written or oral analysis of that information.
2. Demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions in a timely, fair, and impartial manner. This includes the ability to work independently or as part of a project team with a focus on timely completion of deliverables.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable. Demonstrate the ability to listen attentively and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially with others in an adversarial or collegial setting. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant oral communication experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., as an expert witness/deponent).
4. Demonstrate the ability to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions or technical documents involving significant technical issues in a timely manner. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant writing experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., producing expert reviews/reports).
5. Demonstrate the ability to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff, and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts.
A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume.
Education
Qualification for 0801 Series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
More detailed information about these alternatives are described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Operating Manual which may be accessed at the following website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/
Qualification for 1301 series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Long Term Care Insurance; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees. https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be forwarded to a screening committee for the purpose of evaluating qualifications of the candidates and may be recommended for selection by the Commission. In determining the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, the screening committee will consider breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; education and training; professional stature; awards and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.
Applicants MAY BE periodically referred to screening committee both during the open period and for up to 90 days after the closing date of the vacancy. You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Please carefully review the list of document descriptions below, to see which documents are required for your application.
All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
- Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
- use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc; or
- use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax it, along with your supplemental documents to 1-571-258-4052.
All applicants are required to submit a writing sample, demonstrating communication skills, technical expertise, and analytic ability and a Curriculum Vitae.
If you are a NRC employee you are required to submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available.
If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) that indicates Federal status, tenure, and grade to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
NOTE: Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to any vacancy questions, and if necessary, documents which prove your eligibility to apply. To ensure all of the essential information is in your resume, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS online Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
- Job title
- Name of employer
- Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
- Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will prorate part-time employment in crediting experience.
- Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
- Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, please submit your transcript OR list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses along with the course credits in your resume. Do not include any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.
Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.
You will be rated based on your the information provided in your resume and any infromation you provide in the aditional infromation section of the application. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses such as “significant experience” do not provide enough information and should not be used.
If you do not use USAJobs resume buildier and choose to upload a resume, please ensure you supply all needed infromation. USAJOBS supplies requirements for what to include in your resume at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/#help-article-share-menu
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
Next steps
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJoBs and selecting "Application Status."
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