ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE (LEGAL)

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens may apply.

*** This announcement may be extended beyond the initial closing date if additional time is needed to identify a sufficient number of qualified candidates for consideration.***

Serves as a member of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP). Prehearing activities include examining pleadings and filings and preparing orders. Hearing activities include coordination of the hearing, scheduling the hearing, 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 precedent, 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 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, fuel cycle-related facilities (including those for spent fuel storage), and the possession and use of nuclear materials. Hearings usually are conducted by a three-member Board, typically consisting of one Legal Administrative Judge who serves as Board chair, 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 of 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 may be made.

Conditions of employment

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

All information in your resume must be true and accurate.

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position
• Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial 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 trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Minimally qualified candidates will have at least 10 years of work experience, including substantial litigation experience in fields that apply directly to the adjudicatory work of the ASLBP; however, a preferred candidate would have experience in administrative law and environmental law, and would possess extensive litigation experience. Typically, 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 or higher in the Federal government, or equivalent. An applicant should also possess the experience, poise, temperament, judgment, collegiality, and professional stature required to perform successfully the important duties and responsibilities of a presiding Administrative Judge in proceedings that come before the ASLBP. An applicant's resume should describe any prior experience with the adjudicatory process and litigation (e.g., as counsel for a party). A successful applicant should have excellent written and oral communication skills and have a demonstrated ability to make fair and impartial decisions in a timely manner based on the record. Because the Panel works as a team, applicants should be accustomed to, and skilled at, working in a collegial environment.
The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate:

1. Comprehensive knowledge and experience with trial/administrative hearing procedures and practices, including rules of evidence and witness examination, alternative dispute resolution techniques, and the use of computer and telecommunications technologies (e.g., electronic filing and database management, video conferencing), particularly as they may apply to licensing and enforcement proceedings regarding civilian nuclear facilities for which public hearings are required.
2. An ability to understand, interpret, and apply substantive law and ability to assimilate technical subject matter, define issues, and analyze, synthesize, and evaluate evidence.
3. An ability to make independent decisions in a timely, fair, and impartial manner.
4. An ability to communicate orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable, and to elicit facts by examining expert and lay witnesses; a demonstrated ability to listen attentively and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially with others in an adversarial or similar setting; and an ability to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions involving complex legal and technical issues in a timely manner.
5. The ability to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, peers, and staff, and to achieve cooperation and consensus among parties 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 must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.

PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. You must respond to all required application questions.

If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office.

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 resume that directly relates to this position.

The following documents are required for a complete application package. Failure to submit any required document will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive further consideration.

• Resume: USAJOBS Resume Guidance. Include your name and contact information; education; detailed work experience (job title, employer, dates of employment, hours worked per week, and federal series/grade, if applicable); and other relevant qualifications. Your resume must not exceed two pages. See Additional Resume Information below.
• Transcripts: If the position has a positive education requirement, submit official or unofficial college/university transcripts. Diplomas are not acceptable substitutes. Failure to submit transcripts will result in loss of consideration.
• Two Writing Samples: Submit two samples demonstrating your communication skills, technical expertise, and analytical ability. Samples must be substantially written by you. For co-authored samples, identify the portions you wrote.
• Proof of Bar Membership: Submit proof of good-standing membership in the bar of a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia.
• Cover Letter: Recommended but not required.

Additional Documents for Claimed Eligibility
Submit the applicable documents below if you claim the corresponding eligibility:

• Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: Submit your most recent non-award SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) verifying competitive or excepted service status or reinstatement eligibility. Award SF-50s alone will not be accepted for further consideration.
• Veterans' Preference Eligibles: Submit a DD-214 showing character/type of discharge (e.g., Member 4 copy), SF-15, and supporting documentation, as applicable (e.g., VA disability rating letter). Active-duty applicants must submit certification of expected discharge or release under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date. Veterans' preference must be verified before appointment. For more information, visit FedsHireVets.
• Individuals with Disabilities: Applicants using Schedule A must submit supporting documentation, such as a Schedule A letter. See the USAJOBS Help Center.
• Military Spouses: Submit documentation verifying marriage to the service member (e.g., marriage certificate), plus the applicable documentation:
  • Active-duty spouse: Current military orders or statement of service supporting more than 180 consecutive days of active-duty service.
  • Spouse of a 100% disabled service member: Service member's DD-214 and documentation confirming 100% service-connected disability (e.g., VA letter).
  • Unremarried widow/widower: Documentation verifying the service member's death while on active duty (e.g., DD-1300).
• Peace Corps: Submit a description of service or other proof of noncompetitive eligibility.

All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
Additional Resume Information
Your resume is essential to evaluating your qualifications and should clearly demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and abilities. Limit your resume to two pages. We encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. If you use your own resume, ensure it includes the following information for each position:

• Job title and employer name.
• Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year).
• Hours worked per week. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated; part-time experience will be prorated.
• Concise, results-focused descriptions of duties, accomplishments, skills, and responsibilities, including supervisory/managerial duties and the number of staff supervised, if applicable.
• Federal series and grade, or equivalent, for federal positions.

Do not include a photograph or video of yourself or sensitive information such as age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, or Social Security number in your resume or cover letter. Applications containing prohibited information may be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration.
We will not access external webpages linked in your resume or cover letter, including LinkedIn or other social media profiles, to evaluate your qualifications. Cover letters are optional.

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