This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/706451800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This Administrative Law Judge position is located in the Office of Mission Support, Office of Administrative Law Judges.
About OMS: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/organization-chart-office-mission-support-oms
This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. Partial work-from-home flexibilities may be authorized.
Learn more about this agency03/01/2023 to 03/15/2023
$162,168 - $195,000 per year
AL 03
2 vacancies in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
00
No
No
RTP-ALJ-2022-0003
706451800
The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is under the management and supervision of the Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). In conformity with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and applicable procedural rules of the agency, EPA ALJs primarily render decisions after conducting adversarial adjudicatory hearings throughout the United States in formal administrative proceedings which arise under major Federal environmental statutes, including for example, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, etc., and their implementing regulations. In connection therewith, the ALJs engage in extensive pre-hearing procedures that include written rulings on a variety of motions, ranging from discovery-related motions to dispositive motions such as summary decisions. The litigation over which the ALJs preside is typically highly sophisticated, complex, and technical, and often subject to demanding time constraints. The legal issues presented are often those of first impression with novel factual issues, and cases routinely include multiple and competing expert opinions. Additionally, and pursuant to interagency agreements, EPA ALJs also adjudicate cases for other agencies or commissions.
The ALJs are assigned a number of cases simultaneously, the demands of which must be accounted for and balanced to assure all matters are timely concluded. OALJ has a goal of completing cases within 18 months of receipt. The ALJs are responsible for researching, drafting, and issuing, under their signature, orders and initial decisions in the cases in which they are designated to preside. Excellent writing and analytical skills are critical to this position as the ALJ work includes extensive original writing of lengthy orders and initial decisions, the latter of which can extend to 80-100 pages in length. The ALJs are assisted in their work by staff attorneys and paralegals, to the extent they are available, but maintain sole responsibility for competently and timely processing the cases assigned to them, and reporting on the status of their work and cases informally, on an on-going basis, and formally, biweekly, to the Chief ALJ. The ALJs are required to promote and maintain the efficient operations of the OALJ by utilizing a variety of databases and applications, including online calendars and electronic case management systems. Travel to hearing throughout the United States, potentially for weeks at a time, is required and the ALJ is typically accompanied by one or more assigned staff attorneys. Additionally, OALJ provides parties to a case the opportunity to participate in an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process. To that end, ALJs are expected to serve as a Neutral in cases in which the parties have requested ADR, provided that the ALJ has not been designated to preside over the case for litigation purposes.
EPA ALJs may also be responsible for performing other duties as assigned by the Chief Administrative Law Judge that are not inconsistent with the responsibilities of an ALJ under the APA.
You must self-certify annually and in writing that you hold an active bar membership.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to E.O. 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
The Ethics in Government Act, P.L. 95-521, requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a financial disclosure statement, OGE-278, prior to assuming the ALJ position, annually, and upon termination of employment.
#LI-Onsite
In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least ten years of specialized experience related to this position as described below:
To qualify for this ALJ position, you need to have at least ten years of full time experience performing relevant litigation and conducting complex legal research and writing.
"Relevant litigation" includes: appearing as an attorney in and/or conducting formal adversarial hearings, trials, or appeals at the federal (including military), state, local or administrative level, or as part of congressional or state legislative hearings or investigations; and/or hearing adversarial cases as a judge or adjudicator. It also includes administrative law experience involving cases in which a formal procedure was initiated by a governmental administrative body. Such experience may include: participating in settlement negotiations in advance of hearing cases; preparing for hearing and/or trial of cases; preparing opinions and substantive orders; hearing cases; participating in or conducting arbitration, mediation, or other alternative dispute resolution approved by the administrative body; or participating in appeals related to these types of cases.
We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your narrative statements addressing the Technical Qualifications.
Your responses should be clear and concise and show a level of accomplishment and a degree of responsibility.
Technical Qualifications (TQs) - Mandatory - Limited to three pages per factor - Failure to address these factors will result in your application being disqualified.
TQ 1 - Demonstrated experience in adversarial litigation which includes complex, scientific, and technical legal issues, especially environmental or related proceedings. This includes demonstrated experience following procedural rules, e.g., Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and evidentiary rules, e.g., Federal Rules of Evidence, and effective time management skills to meet established deadlines and timely adjudicate cases.
TQ 2 - Demonstrated experience in relevant written and oral communication. This includes demonstrated experience understanding, analyzing, deciding, and orally communicating difficult and complex technical, legal, and factual issues, including the interpretation of statutory and/or regulatory language, and producing comprehensive written, legally and technically defensible decisions. This experience encompasses expertise in legal research and writing that includes the use of legal research and word processing software/technologies.
TQ 3 - Demonstrated experience maintaining judicial demeanor, temperament, and impartiality during legal proceedings. This includes effectively interacting with diverse parties, including pro se litigants, counsel, and staff with courtesy, respect, and tact, consistent with the role of an ALJ.
You must possess a J.D. or LL.B. from an accredited law school.
For information about accreditation requirements, visit EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
If you are selected, travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid by EPA. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expenses associated with reporting to work in this position will be your responsibility.
This position is excluded from provisions of the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). Selection under this appointment authority does not confer civil service competitive status.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at EPA. Our excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in the Agency’s workplace and mission. We encourage applications from candidates with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. At EPA, diversity is a vital element in bringing a balance of perspectives to bear on every challenge we face. We are committed to creating a diverse workforce because we know that the individual strengths and abilities of our employees make us a stronger organization. The more inclusive our employee base is, the greater the variety of ideas that are generated, and the more representative we are of the nation we serve. To learn more about how EPA values and supports our diverse workforce, visit Equal Opportunity Employment at EPA.
EPA participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that enables participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. For additional information: EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Traditional rating and ranking of applications does not apply to this vacancy. Applications will be evaluated against the basic qualifications and then may be subject to additional assessments.
EPA considers veterans’ preference as a positive factor. Applicants who have veterans’ preference are encouraged to include their information in their cover letters or resumes and attach supporting documentation to substantiate their preference.
Excepted service positions are not covered by regular civil service hiring procedures.
Documents to be submitted online:
NOTE: You should ensure your social security number, date of birth, and any other personal information are redacted.
--Resume clearly stating your experience related to this position as described in the Duties section and Qualifications section. In describing your experience, you need to be clear and specific. We may not make assumptions regarding your experience.
--Narrative statements covering each Technical Qualification (TQ) - required - Limited to three pages per factor. Exceeding this limit will result in disqualification of your application. Your examples should emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments with results of your actions, policy initiatives and level of contacts.
To learn more about submitting documentation, visit Uploading Documents to USAJOBS.
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.
You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the assessment questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature.
If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than three business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes.
For detailed instructions to assist you in ensuring your application package is received, go to EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
EPA provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Decisions for granting reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.
The National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, see Reasonable Accommodation.
You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJobs account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful, once we have received your on-line application, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application after we conduct a qualification review of your complete package. If your application meets the basic qualification requirements, it will be forwarded to the hiring office. Interviews are arranged through the Selecting Official. You will be notified of the outcome of your application.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/706451800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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