The HHS Departmental Appeals Board adjudicates complex administrative appeals involving federal programs. Board Members serve as Administrative Judges, issuing final decisions in three-member panels on funding disputes, civil remedies, and enforcement actions; reviewing ALJ decisions; managing hearings and records; and interpreting statutes and regulations. Cases often involve significant financial impact and establish national precedent, with most decisions final on behalf of the Secretary.
Summary
The HHS Departmental Appeals Board adjudicates complex administrative appeals involving federal programs. Board Members serve as Administrative Judges, issuing final decisions in three-member panels on funding disputes, civil remedies, and enforcement actions; reviewing ALJ decisions; managing hearings and records; and interpreting statutes and regulations. Cases often involve significant financial impact and establish national precedent, with most decisions final on behalf of the Secretary.
Serves as a Board Member of the Departmental Appeals Board, exercising delegated authority from the Secretary to issue final administrative decisions in a wide range of complex appeals involving federal programs, including grant disputes, civil remedies, provider sanctions, scientific misconduct, and civil rights matters.
Conducts de novo review (e.g., disallowances in discretionary and mandatory grant programs) and appellate review of certain Administrative Law Judge decisions (e.g., fraud, abuse, and non-compliance determinations; Medicare provider/supplier enrollment and revocation determinations; and civil money penalties).
Reviews extensive administrative records; analyzes complex statutory, regulatory, and evidentiary issues; and develops well-reasoned written decisions with significant financial and national impact. Decisions are issued by three-member panels, with one Member designated as the Presiding Board Member and two Members contributing to consensus-based decision-making.
Manages all aspects of the adjudicatory process, including establishing procedures, ruling on motions, conducting hearings when assigned, and ensuring timely and thorough case resolution.
Analyzes and resolves complex legal and factual issues, including interpretation of statutes, regulations, and Departmental and Board precedent. Applies highly technical program requirements and contributes to the development of new precedent in evolving areas of law.
Collaborates with panel members and staff attorneys to ensure high-quality, legally sound decisions; reviews and provides input on draft decisions and rulings; and provides guidance and mentorship to legal staff. Maintains subject-matter expertise across HHS programs and legal frameworks, contributes to procedural and operational improvements, and adjudicates specialized or interagency cases in support of the Board's mission of impartial and independent review.
This employer participates in the E-Verify Program
U.S. Citizenship is required
Subject to satisfactory security and suitability determinations
New appointees must successfully complete a 1-year probationary period
You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the job opportunity announcement.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
Must possess J.D. or LL. B degree.
Active Membership or admission to the bar is required.
Subject to appointment by the Secretary of HHS.
Qualifications
Open to U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Applicants must have at least ten (10) years of experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, and/or reviewing formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the Federal, State, or local level.
Formal hearings are defined as proceedings conducted on the record under procedures at least as formal as those prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. ยงยง 553-559).
In addition, applicants must have experience performing work at or above the GS-15 level, or equivalent, in the Federal government, State or local government, private sector, or a non-governmental organization.
Must possess J.D. or LL. B degree.
Active Membership or admission to the bar is required.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQ's):
This position requires that you possess TQ's that represent knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. The following TQ's must be evident in your resume.
Demonstrated experience in appellate or adversarial litigation as adjudicator, counsel, or adviser, including evidence of ability to display judicial temperament in interacting with parties, witnesses, and counsel.
Demonstrated ability to quickly and effectively master complex, diverse, and changing areas of law, building on existing familiarity with administrative law generally.
Excellence in legal writing involving complex legal issues, particularly interpretation and application of statutory or regulatory language.
Demonstrated team-building and leadership skills in professional settings, particularly in building consensus on difficult topics, in working cooperatively with peers, and in mentoring and developing attorneys.
A separate narrative statement is not required--this information should be embedded within the resume.
Education
Must possess J.D. or LL.B degree.
You must have earned a professional law degree (e.g., J.D.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be an active member and be in good standing of the Bar in a State or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. You must include a copy of current/active Bar Membership under supporting documents tab "license" and transcripts.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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: http://www.ed.gov.
Licensure
Applicants must be 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.
Additional information
HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, implements research related to emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.
Probationary Period:
Persons newly selected for career appointment will be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure
HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict of interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, you may go to the Office of Government Ethics website at www.oge.gov and select Financial Disclosure. Frequently Asked Questions can be found at https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/Public%20Financial%20Disclosure.
Security and Background Requirements
If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Equality is held as one of the most important values at HHS. Selection for this, and any other position, will be based solely on merit. HHS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age or membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or any other non-merit factors.
If applying online poses a hardship to you, you may submit your application by contacting Gregory Stewart.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact Gregory Stewart. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Selective Service
As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
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.
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.
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. Your application will be rated and ranked by the quality of work experience using only the information submitted within the application package.
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.
Applicants may be required to participate in selection interviews. Applicants may be required to provide an unedited writing sample for review and assessment. In addition, applicants may be required to participate in a proctored writing assignment.
Once a candidate has been identified for potential selection, reference checks, online searches, criminal background searches, and bar membership searches may be completed. The Department's appointing official(s) will make a final approval of the selection. Verification of performance, suitability and security information from reference checks will be taken into consideration when making offers of employment.
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.
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.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents to be considered for the position:
Resume that contains your full name, address and phone number, and does not exceed the two (2) page limit.
Candidates must submit an unedited writing sample to support evaluation of their qualifications. The sample will be assessed for demonstrated knowledge and skills relevant to the position, including organization, analytical ability, clarity, and writing mechanics (e.g., style and grammar), as well as overall persuasiveness and authority. Applicants are encouraged to submit a sample aligned with the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). The writing sample must not exceed twenty (20) pages.
Copy of unofficial law school transcripts.
Copy of activie bar membership.
An SF-50 showing your current or former civil service status
NOTE: THE USAJOBS RESUME TEMPLATE MAY RESULT IN A RESUME BEING LONGER THAN TWO PAGES. PLEASE VERIFY PAGE LENGTH BEFORE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.
NOTE: Documents submitted that are not listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement will not be considered or forwarded to the rating panel or selecting official.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSINGDATE of this announcement 04/15/2026 to receive consideration.
Applicants must have a USAJOBS account to apply to this position. For more information on establishing a USAJOBS account; searching for and applying to HHS jobs; or understanding the federal hiring process, contact .
Submitting Your Application
To verify your application is complete, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and then select More Information for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Once the online questionnaire is received, an acknowledgement e-mail will be sent to the address on file. If you are unable to upload any of the required supporting documents, you may fax them to 1-478-757-3144. Please include a cover sheet clearly indicating the announcement for which you are applying.
Should you have any questions related to this vacancy, please contact the HR Specialist listed at the end of this vacancy announcement at least 24 hours prior to vacancy close.
Departmental Appeals Board
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
You will receive an email informing you of the receipt of your application. Highly qualified candidates may be referred for an interview and may be required to undergo a reference check. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents to be considered for the position:
Resume that contains your full name, address and phone number, and does not exceed the two (2) page limit.
Candidates must submit an unedited writing sample to support evaluation of their qualifications. The sample will be assessed for demonstrated knowledge and skills relevant to the position, including organization, analytical ability, clarity, and writing mechanics (e.g., style and grammar), as well as overall persuasiveness and authority. Applicants are encouraged to submit a sample aligned with the Professional/Technical Qualifications (PTQs). The writing sample must not exceed twenty (20) pages.
Copy of unofficial law school transcripts.
Copy of activie bar membership.
An SF-50 showing your current or former civil service status
NOTE: THE USAJOBS RESUME TEMPLATE MAY RESULT IN A RESUME BEING LONGER THAN TWO PAGES. PLEASE VERIFY PAGE LENGTH BEFORE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.
NOTE: Documents submitted that are not listed in the Required Documents section of this announcement will not be considered or forwarded to the rating panel or selecting official.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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 must submit the complete online application and documentation specified in the Required Documents by 11:59 PM (EST) on the CLOSINGDATE of this announcement 04/15/2026 to receive consideration.
Applicants must have a USAJOBS account to apply to this position. For more information on establishing a USAJOBS account; searching for and applying to HHS jobs; or understanding the federal hiring process, contact .
Submitting Your Application
To verify your application is complete, log in to your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and then select More Information for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Once the online questionnaire is received, an acknowledgement e-mail will be sent to the address on file. If you are unable to upload any of the required supporting documents, you may fax them to 1-478-757-3144. Please include a cover sheet clearly indicating the announcement for which you are applying.
Should you have any questions related to this vacancy, please contact the HR Specialist listed at the end of this vacancy announcement at least 24 hours prior to vacancy close.
Departmental Appeals Board
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
US
Next steps
You will receive an email informing you of the receipt of your application. Highly qualified candidates may be referred for an interview and may be required to undergo a reference check. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
