Chief Administrative Law Judge Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. ALJ-12802115-25-RR Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $174,658.00 to $207,500.00 Grade 3 to 3
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/15/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The position is in the Office of Administrative Law Judges, National Transportation Safety Board. The Chief Administrative Law Judge, serves and provides administrative guidance and direction to all subordinates to include Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), and administrative staff.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Open to the Public who meets the ALJ Licensure Requirement. Current federal Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) serving in the competitive or excepted service. The candidate selected for this position will be in the excepted service unless the candidate is currently an ALJ with NTSB and in the competitive service. In that situation, per OPM guidance, the candidate will remain in the competitive service.

Duties

  • Oversee the legal activities in the Office of Administrative Law Judges, including effective management of the case load in order to prevent delays and ensure uniformity on precedents, policies, and practices.
  • Lead and provide strategic direction to Administrative Law Judges and Attorney Advisors.
  • Issue initial decisions and orders in adjudicatory proceedings which become final decisions of the Board unless appealed to the Chair of the Board or other applicable appellate body.
  • Make a constant review and study of the Board's current procedures for the purpose of assuring that these procedures meet the requirements of due process and the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • Meet with the ALJs and representatives of the aviation industry to weigh suggested changes in procedures and practices to better facilitate all the Board's quasi-judicial functions.
  • Directly and in coordination with other Board entities, ensure timely and accurate responses to internal and external inquires including congressional inquiries.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
  • Suitability for Federal employment
  • Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case by case basis
  • Bargaining Unit Position: No
  • Direct Deposit is required.
  • Will be required to submit an Executive Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report, SF-278, in accordance with the Ethics of Government Act of 1978, prior to the effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
  • This position is based in Washington, DC and is eligible for AD-Hoc/Situational telework only.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
  • This position is not subject to a probationary period in the competitive service or a trial period in the excepted service.

Qualifications

For Former or Current ALJ Applicants:

Current Administrative Law Judges are not subject to the minimum qualification and licensure requirements.

For All Other Applicants:

You must meet the minimum qualification and licensure requirement specified in section 3(a)(ii) of the E.O. (5 CFR 6.3(b)). This means the minimum qualification and licensure requirement for an ALJ position is the possession of a professional license to practice law and being authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution at the time of selection and any new appointment (other than an incumbent ALJ). Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of ''active'' status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining ''active'' status to practice law, and being in ''good standing'' also is acceptable in lieu of ''active'' status in States where the licensing authority considers ''good standing'' as having a current license to practice law. In addition, the head of an agency may establish any additional requirements he or she deems necessary.

*ALJs must be held to a high standard of conduct to maintain the integrity and independence of the administrative judiciary.

For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/specialty-areas/administrative-law-judge-positions/

Desirable Qualifications: Applicants are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of these qualifications. Be sure to provide specific examples of what you've done that demonstrates your possession of each desirable qualification. Please limit your written responses to no more than 2 pages in length.
  1. Knowledge and experience in presiding at formal adjudicatory hearing; ability to conduct hearings in a dignified, orderly and impartial manner; ability to make and effectuate practical solutions to problems; and, at all times, ability to exercise courteous and tactful dealings with all personalities, not infrequently under trying conditions.
NOTE: In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.

Education

There is no education substitution for this grade.

Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree.


FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and various benefits as well as work life amenities such as alternate work schedules, telework, flextime, fitness and transit benefits.
  • Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position.
  • NTSB may authorize Recruitment Incentives currently offered by the Federal Government for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and abilities.
  • If you left Federal Employment and received a buy out and you are selected for this position, you may be required to repay the full amount of the payment.
  • Telework may be issued for Ad-Hoc/Situational purposes.
  • NTSB uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
  • Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your qualifications.

Required Documents

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:

  • A Complete Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments and must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
  • Desirable Qualifications -- you must individually address each of the desirable qualifications listed above in the announcement. Please format your written narrative so that it is clear that you are addressing each desirable qualification separately. For desirable qualifications where you do not have experience, please note as such in your written narrative to ensure each desirable qualification is addressed. Responses for each desirable qualification should be no more than one page in length.
  • Former and current ALJs - submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 to support your eligibility claim. The SF-50 must show Grade, Step, Salary, Tenure and Position Occupied.
  • Licensure: Applicants must submit proof that they are licensed and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining "active" status to practice law. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in States where the licensing authority considers "good standing" as having a current license to practice law. Not Applicable to Current Administrative Law Judges
Submit the following only if it applies to you:

- ICTAP/CTAP Documentation: To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following documents at the time of application: (1) Proof of Eligibility (Reduction-in-Force separation notice, Notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of injury compensation termination, OR notice of disability annuity termination); (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. NOTE: Your proof of eligibility must be dated within a year of the date of your application in order to meet ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

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.

How to Apply

  1. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/26/2025.
  2. To begin the process, click the 'Apply' button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
  3. To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12802115.
  4. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
NOTE: If you cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division
Address
Office of Administrative Law Judge
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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