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Organization: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel
Supervisor: E. Roy Hawkens, Chief Administrative Judge
Disclosures: This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure Reporting requirements and NRC prohibited securities ownership restrictions.
This is an Open Until Filled Vacancy Announcement. It will be used to fill positions as vacancies occur. Over the course of the
open period, applications will be reviewed and referred for positions as they become available.
12/14/2022 to 12/14/2023
$187,300 - $187,300 per year
AJ 00
Few vacancies in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Travel Requirements: Because Commission policy provides that adjudicatory hearings be held when practicable in the vicinity of the facility involved, Panel members are required periodically to travel to hearing sites for periods ranging from a few days to a week or more, depending upon the length of the hearing.
Yes—Relocation expenses may be paid
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
Excepted
AJ
No
Yes
ASLBP-2022-0002
732531800
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference
Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.
Individuals who have served at least 2 years with the Peace Corps or 1 year with AmeriCorps VISTA.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed in another hiring path.
Open to public
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 precedents, 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, fabrication facilities, fuel cycle related facilities (including those for spent fuel storage), and facilities licensed to possess nuclear materials. Hearings usually are conducted by a three-member Board, typically consisting of one Legal Administrative Judge 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.
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 should be addressed in your resume.
You must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a J.D., LL.B., or equivalent degree, and you must be an active member in good standing of the Bar of a state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia.
The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.
Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
Selectee's 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 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier 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. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in an NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be forwarded to a screening committee for the purpose of evaluating qualifications of the candidates that may be recommended to the Commission for appointment. In determining the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, the screening committee will consider breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; education and training; professional stature; awards and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities. 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 thorough resume that directly relates to this position.
Applicants MAY BE periodically referred to the screening committee both during the open period and for up to 90 days after the closing date of the vacancy.
List of supplemental material that may be applicable:
All applicants are required to submit a writing sample, demonstrating communication skills, technical expertise, and analytic ability.
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 current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental 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, .pdf, and .doc; or
3. use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax it, along with your supplemental documents to 1-571-258-4052.
We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.
Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.
Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.
You will be rated based on your the information provided in your resume and any infromation you provide in the aditional infromation section of the application. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses such as “significant experience” do not provide enough information and should not be used.
If you do not use USAJobs resume buildier and choose to upload a resume, please ensure you supply all needed infromation. USAJOBS supplies requirements for what to include in your resume at: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/#help-article-share-menu
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.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJoBs and selecting "Application Status."
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/732531800. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.