ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE (TECHNICAL)

About the role

This position is located in Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel. The supervisor is E. Roy Hawkens, Chief Administrative Judge.

This position is subject to Public Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

What you will do

• *** This announcement may be extended beyond the initial closing date if additional time is needed to identify a sufficient number of qualified candidates for consideration.*** Serves as a member of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, with primary responsibility for serving as a technical member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings.
• Prehearing activities include examining pleadings and filings, researching highly technical subject matter, and preparing orders.
• Hearing activities include such things as advising the Chairperson of the Licensing Board concerning testimony and evidence, 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 proceeding 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, licensing advanced technology reactors, license renewal of existing nuclear power plants, and power uprates of existing power plants.
• Both Legal and Technical Administrative Judges are appointed as members to 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 will be made.

Requirements

• 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.
• All information in your resume must be true and accurate.
• Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Qualifications for the 0801 Series: Basic Requirements: Degree: Engineering.

To be acceptable, the program must lead to a Ph.D. degree in a school of engineering ; OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.

Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration.

For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

(The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) Qualifications for the 1301 Series: Basic Requirements: Degree: Ph.D. degree in a physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

OR Medical degree with an undergraduate degree in one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application.

Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements.

You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency.

Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How you will be evaluated

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements.

You must respond to all required application questions.

If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office. 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 resume that directly relates to this position.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are required for a complete application package.
• Failure to submit any required document will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive further consideration.
• Resume: Include your name, address, contact information, education, detailed work experience, and other relevant qualifications.
• For each position, include job title, employer, dates of employment, hours worked per week, and federal series/grade, if applicable.
• Limit your resume to two pages.
• See Additional Resume Information below.
• Transcripts: If the position has a positive education requirement, submit official or unofficial college/university transcripts.
• Diplomas are not acceptable substitutes.
• Failure to submit transcripts will result in loss of consideration.
• Two Writing Samples: All applicants must submit two samples demonstrating communication skills, technical expertise, and analytical ability.
• Samples must be substantially written by the applicant.
• For co-authored samples, identify the portions you wrote.
• Cover Letter: Recommended but not required.
• Additional Documents for Claimed Eligibility Submit the applicable documents below if you claim the corresponding eligibility: Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: Submit your most recent non-award SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive/excepted service status or reinstatement eligibility.
• Award SF-50s alone will not be accepted for further consideration.
• Veterans' Preference Eligibles: Submit a DD-214 showing type/character of discharge (e.g., Member 4 copy), SF-15, and supporting documentation, as applicable (e.g., VA disability rating letter).
• Active-duty applicants must submit certification of expected discharge or release under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date.
• Veterans' preference must be verified before appointment.
• For details, visit FedsHireVets.
• Individuals with Disabilities: Applicants using the Schedule A Hiring Authority must submit supporting documentation, such as a Schedule A letter.
• See the USAJOBS Help Center.
• Military Spouses: Submit proof of marriage to the service member (e.g., marriage certificate) and the applicable documentation: Active-duty spouse: Current military orders or statement of service supporting more than 180 consecutive days of active-duty service.
• Spouse of a 100% disabled service member: Service member's DD-214 and documentation confirming 100% service-connected disability (e.g., VA letter).
• Unremarried widow/widower: Documentation verifying the service member's death while on active duty (e.g., DD-1300).
• Peace Corps: Submit a description of service or other proof of noncompetitive eligibility.
• All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
• Additional Resume Information Your resume is essential to evaluating your qualifications and should clearly demonstrate your relevant skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Limit your resume to two pages.
• We encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder.
• If you use your own resume, ensure each position includes: Job title and employer name.
• Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year).
• Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated; part-time experience will be prorated.
• Concise, results-focused descriptions of duties, accomplishments, skills, and responsibilities, including supervisory/managerial duties and the number of staff supervised, if applicable.
• Federal series and grade, or equivalent, for federal positions.
• Do not include a photograph, video, or sensitive information (e.g., age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, or Social Security number) in your resume or cover letter.
• Applications containing prohibited information may be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration.
• We will not access external webpages linked in your resume or cover letter, including LinkedIn or other social media profiles, to evaluate your qualifications.
• Cover letters are optional.

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.

What to expect next

You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status." You will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. We will review your resume, question responses, and transcript(s) (if appropriate) to ensure you meet the qualification requirements.

We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and may interview the best-qualified applicants. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability and/or security background investigation.

Additional information

*** This announcement may be extended beyond the initial closing date if additional time is needed to identify a sufficient number of qualified candidates for consideration.*** This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency.

Selectees 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. The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.

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 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.