ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE (LEGAL)

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Account Program

Thrift Savings Plan (401k-like)

Paid vacation and sick leave

11 Federal holidays per year

Transit benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) invites applications for a presiding Administrative Judge in the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive litigation experience in administrative and environmental law and must render fair, timely decisions on complex regulatory matters. Candidates should demonstrate strong written and oral communication, and the ability to work collaboratively within a panel to resolve proceedings that involve technical

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of work experience, including substantial litigation experience relevant to ASLBP.
• Ideal candidate has experience in administrative law and environmental law with complex proceedings.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to render fair, timely decisions.
• Experience with adjudicatory process and litigation (e.g., as counsel for a party).
• Ability to work in a collegial, team-based panel.

Responsibilities

• Preside over hearings and issue decisions in ASLBP proceedings.
• Apply rules of evidence and witness examination; manage adjudicatory processes.
• Interpret substantive law and assimilate technical subject matter.
• Communicate clearly with parties; elicit facts and maintain impartial proceedings.
• Collaborate with panel members and staff to reach well-reasoned decisions.

Job description

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.

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.

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

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 must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.

PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.