Director, Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication Job in Rockville, MD

Vacancy No. OCAA-2025-0001 Department Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Salary $180,000.00 to $204,000.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/14/2024 Close Date 11/14/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Rockville, MD


Summary

Organization Location: Office of Commission Appellate Adjudication

Supervising Executive: This position reports to the Commission of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Christopher T. Hanson, Chair, serves as the supervising executive.

Area of Consideration:  Open Competition

Salary:  This is a Tier 3 (NRC Pay Group C) SES position

Financial Disclosure:  This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure Reporting requirements and NRC prohibited securities ownership restrictions

Duties

As the Director, OCAA you will provide executive leadership, direction, and manage the preparation of appropriate decisions, orders, and rulings in connection with the quasi-judicial responsibilities of the NRC involving the licensing and regulation of nuclear facilities and materials, and related activities.  You will also direct the monitoring and review of cases pending before Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards, presiding officers, and the Commission. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Provide the Commission with an analysis of adjudicatory matters requiring Commission decisions (e.g., appeals, petitions for review of initial licensing board decisions, certified questions, referred rulings, stay requests). Such analysis may include a discussion of viable legal options available to the Commission.
  • Manage and supervise the drafting of adjudicatory decisions pursuant to the Commission's guidance, including the presentation of appropriate options; and consults with the NRC’s Office of the General Counsel in identifying options to be presented to the Commission and in drafting the final decision to be proposed to the Commission.
  • Support Commission conduct of mandatory hearings, including coordination and provision of necessary adjudicatory technical support.
  • Provide procedural advice and technical support to the Commission that relates to licensing board decisions, including methods of achieving improved regulatory efficiency.
  • Monitor administrative proceedings and review licensing board decisions and supporting documents of record.
  • Develop and implement recruitment, development, and retention strategies to achieve a high-quality, diverse workforce with the skills needed to accomplish program goals and objectives.
  • Identify critical skill and training needs of the organization and identifies and implements human capital strategies to close critical skill gaps.  Staff recruitment, development, and retention strategies promote workforce diversity and diversity management.
  • Ensure that staff performance is managed effectively and that performance plans identify key performance priorities; appraisal results indicate meaningful distinctions are made in staff performance assessments.
  • Assign and direct work within the organization, evaluating staff and organizational effectiveness in accomplishing assigned tasks, and trouble-shooting problems that arise in accomplishing the goals and objectives of the organization. 
  • Develop and implement more efficient and streamlined methods and procedures to accomplish the goals and objectives of the organization and achieve regulatory efficiencies.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
  • This is a Drug Testing position.

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.

Qualifications

You must have substantial supervisory or leadership experience which demonstrates the ability to successfully carry out the roles and responsibilities described above, typically evidenced by experience in progressively more responsible supervisory or leadership positions. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs) listed below. Applicants who do not meet or do not demonstrate possession of the ECQs and PTQs in their application will be eliminated from further consideration. Abbreviated responses to the ECQs and PTQ’s, such as "significant experience" or "see resume" do not provide enough information and will not be considered. ECQ’s and PTQ’s must be submitted in the space provided. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the ECQs or PTQ’s unanswered.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

Applicants must submit online written statements (narrative or bullet format acceptable) describing accomplishments that would satisfy the ECQs. You must address each ECQ separately and are required to respond to all ECQs. Note: Current career SES members, former career SES members eligible for reinstatement, and SES Candidate Development graduates (with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Review Board (QRB) certification) are encouraged, but not required, to address the ECQs to be considered. Use the following approach to describe your accomplishments:

Challenge-Context-Action-Result (CCAR) Model

Use one to two examples of relevant experience for each ECQ. The number of examples is not as important as ensuring that your experience matches the ECQ criteria.

Challenge - Describe a specific problem or goal.

Context - Describe the individuals and groups you worked with, and/or the environment in which you worked, to address a particular challenge (e.g., clients, co-workers, members of Congress, shrinking budget, low morale).

Action - Discuss the specific actions you took to address a challenge.

Result - Give specific examples of measures/outcomes that had some impact on the organization. These accomplishments demonstrate the quality and effectiveness of your leadership skills.

Each accomplishment should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services you managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues you addressed; and the results of your actions. You should use action-oriented leadership words to describe your experience and accomplishments (e.g., Led the development and implementation of….) and quantify your experience wherever possible to demonstrate your accomplishments (e.g., number of employees supervised; size of budget managed; amount of money saved, etc.). Abbreviated responses to the ECQs, such as "significant experience" or "see resume" do not provide enough information and will not be considered. ECQ’s must be submitted in the space provided. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the ECQs unanswered.

You must provide the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of responsible individuals who can verify the information provided for each ECQ.

Additional information on the ECQs is available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/recruitment/ecq.asp. Example ECQ statements are available at http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf.

Executive Core Qualifications:

ECQ 1 - Leading Change: The ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. Competencies: Creativity and Innovation, External Awareness, Flexibility, Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Vision

ECQ 2 - Leading People: The ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Competencies: Conflict Management, Leveraging Diversity, Developing Others, Team Building

ECQ 3 - Results Driven:   The ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. Competencies: Accountability, Customer Service, Decisiveness, Entrepreneurship, Problem Solving, Technical Credibility

ECQ 4 - Business Acumen: The ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Competencies: Financial Management, Human Capital Management, Technology Management

ECQ 5 - Building Coalitions: The ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Competencies: Partnering, Political Savvy, Influencing/Negotiating

PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs)

All applicants must submit online written statements (narrative or bullet format acceptable) of accomplishments that would satisfy the following PTQs. You must address each PTQ separately. Abbreviated responses to the PTQs, such as "significant experience" or "see resume" do not provide enough information and will not be considered. PTQ’s must be submitted in the space provided. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the PTQ’s unanswered.

All applicants must submit online written statements (narrative or bullet format acceptable) of accomplishments that would satisfy the following PTQs. You must address each PTQ separately. in the space provided. 

PTQ 1 - Thorough knowledge of legal principles and Federal law, including judicial decisions, statutes, opinions, Federal and State regulations, and rules of procedure relating to administrative or judicial adjudicatory proceedings and the operation of a regulatory program, including knowledge of the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act (and related environmental legislation).  Knowledge of NRC enabling legislation such as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and other key statutes, such as the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982.

PTQ 2 - Demonstrated skill in handling complex legal issues, making statutory interpretations, preparing legal documents, reviewing documents for legal sufficiency, and developing sound legal decisions and recommendations, involving complex scientific and technical subject matter.

Education

You must possess a professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member in good standing of a state, a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar.

Additional information

The duty location of this position is Rockville, Maryland. In general, executive employees are expected to be in the office at least 6 days per pay period.  Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy. 

  • When NRC determines that, in the absence of such an incentive, it will be difficult to fill the position with a suitable candidate, NRC may offer a relocation incentive to a current Federal employee who is required to geographically move.
  • Veteran’s Preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service
  • Salary for Senior Executive Service positions vary depending on qualifications and the responsibilities of the position
  • Selected candidate will be subject to a one-year probationary period in the Senior Executive Service unless required probationary period has been served
  • This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure Reporting requirements and NRC prohibited securities ownership restrictions. Selected candidate is required to file a Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278) within 30 days after appointment
  • The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Disability Program Coordinator at (301) 287-0712. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Selected candidate will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment" OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a section 145(b) waiver under the Atomic Energy Act. To be eligible for a 145 (b) waiver you need favorable education verification, and reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a waiver is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.
  • The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. The individual selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.

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; 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the qualifications for this position. Your application will be evaluated by a rating/ranking panel, and highly qualified candidates may be invited to participate in an interview and undergo reference checks. The NRC Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review results and make recommendations to the selecting official and appointing authority.

Unless you have been already certified by an OPM QRB in the past, your ECQs must be certified by a QRB before appointment can occur.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  1. Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
  2. Use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pfg, .pdf, .doc, .docx; or

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. 

  1. Job title
  2. Name of employer
  3. Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
  4. Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will prorate part-time employment in crediting experience.
  5. Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
  6. 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. 

Please carefully review the list of document descriptions below, to see which documents are required for your application. 

If you are an 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 federal employee, it is requested that you submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal).

All supplemental documents may be submitted electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:

You may also send a copy of your supplemental material directly to Lindsey Redden, Human Resources Specialist, at lindsey.redden@nrc.gov

A copy of a recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, or other documentation, that indicates Federal status, tenure, and grade. If you are currently serving under a Senior Executive Service (SES) career appointment or are eligible for reinstatement to the SES based on a previous career appointment, please submit a copy of your Standard Form 50 (SF-50) that documents your SES career appointment and/or eligibility for reinstatement. If you are a graduate of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved SES Candidate Development Program, please submit a copy of your OPM certification of eligibility.

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

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.

Agency contact information

Amanda Noonan
Phone
301-287-0750
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
Executive.Resources@nrc.gov
Address
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Executive Resources
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

The Human Resources Specialist will contact you by email about the status of your application and selection process.


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