Job Title: Administrative Judge (Technical)
Posted by: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Oct 05, 2023
Location:
Job Description:
Background
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked among the best places to work for compensation, work-life balance, and performance for mid-sized agencies in the Federal Government. We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry, and research.
Duties
These positions (few) are located with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, NRC Headquarters, Rockville, MD.
Serves as a member of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP), with primary responsibility for serving as a (Technical) member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings.
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 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.
Prehearing activities include examining pleadings and filings, researching highly technical subject matter, and preparing orders.
Hearing activities include such things as advising the Chairman 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.
Qualifications
Applications are being requested from outstanding candidates with expertise in engineering and scientific fields, especially nuclear engineering, environmental sciences/engineering, geology/hydrology/civil engineering, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, and radiological protection. Outstanding candidates in other disciplines related to the work of the ASLBP will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For this Administrative Judge (Technical) position, in addition to the required basic education for either the engineering (GS-801 series) or scientific (GS-1301 series) educational degree requirements, as described in the education section below, the following experience is required:
A minimally qualified applicant must have at least 10 years of work experience in a field related to the ASLBP's work. However, a preferred candidate would have a Ph.D./M.D. (or equivalent education/experience) with at least 10 years of recent specialized experience beyond the Ph.D. that demonstrates expert and comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific discipline that can be applied to the adjudicatory work of the ASLBP. This experience should be extensive and focused on the field for which the applicant believes they are qualified, and should be evidenced by publication, teaching, public speaking, research, and/or extensive industry experience indicating that the applicant is a recognized expert in that field.
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 in the Federal government, or equivalent level in the private sector. The preferred candidate would demonstrate the ability to work courteously with others in an adversarial or collegial setting; to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff; and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts.
Applicants must also possess the experience and professional stature required to perform successfully the important duties and activities of ASLBP Administrative Judges.
The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific field, including the ability to understand, interpret, and assimilate technical subject matter to evaluate evidence in a proceeding and provide a comprehensive written or oral analysis of that information.
2. Demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions in a timely, fair, and impartial manner. This includes the ability to work independently or as part of a project team with a focus on timely completion of deliverables.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable. Demonstrate the ability to listen attentively and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially with others in an adversarial or collegial setting. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant oral communication experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., as an expert witness/deponent).
4. Demonstrate the ability to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions or technical documents involving significant technical issues in a timely manner. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant writing experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., producing expert reviews/reports).
5. Demonstrate the ability to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff, and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts.
Education
Qualification for 0801 Series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. 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:
1. Professional registration or licensure
2. 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.
3. 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 above.
4. 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.
Qualification for 1301 series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: 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
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to 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.
How to Apply
Visit www.nrc.gov Review the NRC Opportunities page and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies, please visit USAJobs EXIT.” Find the Administrative Judge (Technical) Announcement Number ASLBP-2022-0001 and apply on-line by December 16, 2023. If you are viewing this opportunity after December 16, 2023, please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.
NOTE: This is an Open Until Filled Vacancy Announcement. It will be used to fill positions as vacancies occur. Over the course of the 12-month open period, applications will be reviewed and referred for positions as they become available.
NOTE: If you are interested in a part-time or intermittent appointment as an Administrative Judge (Technical) please see announcement number ASLBP-2023-0001. If selected, you will receive a one-year temporary appointments renewable annually with an intermittent work schedule and you may not work more than 130 days each service year.
NOTE: Your resume is key 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. 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.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked among the best places to work for compensation, work-life balance, and performance for mid-sized agencies in the Federal Government. We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry, and research.
Duties
These positions (few) are located with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board, NRC Headquarters, Rockville, MD.
Serves as a member of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP), with primary responsibility for serving as a (Technical) member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings.
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 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.
Prehearing activities include examining pleadings and filings, researching highly technical subject matter, and preparing orders.
Hearing activities include such things as advising the Chairman 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.
Qualifications
Applications are being requested from outstanding candidates with expertise in engineering and scientific fields, especially nuclear engineering, environmental sciences/engineering, geology/hydrology/civil engineering, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, and radiological protection. Outstanding candidates in other disciplines related to the work of the ASLBP will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For this Administrative Judge (Technical) position, in addition to the required basic education for either the engineering (GS-801 series) or scientific (GS-1301 series) educational degree requirements, as described in the education section below, the following experience is required:
A minimally qualified applicant must have at least 10 years of work experience in a field related to the ASLBP's work. However, a preferred candidate would have a Ph.D./M.D. (or equivalent education/experience) with at least 10 years of recent specialized experience beyond the Ph.D. that demonstrates expert and comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific discipline that can be applied to the adjudicatory work of the ASLBP. This experience should be extensive and focused on the field for which the applicant believes they are qualified, and should be evidenced by publication, teaching, public speaking, research, and/or extensive industry experience indicating that the applicant is a recognized expert in that field.
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 in the Federal government, or equivalent level in the private sector. The preferred candidate would demonstrate the ability to work courteously with others in an adversarial or collegial setting; to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff; and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts.
Applicants must also possess the experience and professional stature required to perform successfully the important duties and activities of ASLBP Administrative Judges.
The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and experience in an engineering or scientific field, including the ability to understand, interpret, and assimilate technical subject matter to evaluate evidence in a proceeding and provide a comprehensive written or oral analysis of that information.
2. Demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions in a timely, fair, and impartial manner. This includes the ability to work independently or as part of a project team with a focus on timely completion of deliverables.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally in a manner that is clear, concise, and understandable. Demonstrate the ability to listen attentively and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially with others in an adversarial or collegial setting. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant oral communication experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., as an expert witness/deponent).
4. Demonstrate the ability to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions or technical documents involving significant technical issues in a timely manner. In addition, candidates should describe any prior non-litigant writing experience with the adjudicatory process (e.g., producing expert reviews/reports).
5. Demonstrate the ability to establish effective work relationships with all levels of management, colleagues, and staff, and to achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues engaged in joint or parallel efforts.
Education
Qualification for 0801 Series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. 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:
1. Professional registration or licensure
2. 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.
3. 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 above.
4. 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.
Qualification for 1301 series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: 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
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to 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.
How to Apply
Visit www.nrc.gov Review the NRC Opportunities page and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies, please visit USAJobs EXIT.” Find the Administrative Judge (Technical) Announcement Number ASLBP-2022-0001 and apply on-line by December 16, 2023. If you are viewing this opportunity after December 16, 2023, please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.
NOTE: This is an Open Until Filled Vacancy Announcement. It will be used to fill positions as vacancies occur. Over the course of the 12-month open period, applications will be reviewed and referred for positions as they become available.
NOTE: If you are interested in a part-time or intermittent appointment as an Administrative Judge (Technical) please see announcement number ASLBP-2023-0001. If selected, you will receive a one-year temporary appointments renewable annually with an intermittent work schedule and you may not work more than 130 days each service year.
NOTE: Your resume is key 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. 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.
Education Level:
Bachelors degree or higher
Pay Rate:
Over $100,000
HR. Website URL:
https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/employment.html
Security Clearance:
None
Travel Requirements:
Light
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About U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an independent agency that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and began operations in 1975. NRC’s mission is to license and regulate the Nation’s civilian use of radioactive materials to provide reasonable assurance of adequate protection of public health and safety and to promote the common defense and security and to protect the environment. In carrying out its mission it exercises the following vision: Demonstrate the Principles of Good Regulation (independence, openness, efficiency, clarity, and reliability) in performing our mission. NRC’s scope of responsibility includes: the regulation of commercial nuclear power plants, research and test reactors, nuclear fuel cycle facilities, medical, academic, and industrial uses of radioactive materials; the decommissioning of these facilities and sites; and, the transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and wastes. NRC issues licenses for civilian uses of radioactive materials, oversees the licensees, and certifies standard nuclear reactor designs and spent fuel storage casks and transportation packages. It also licenses the import and export of radioactive materials; participates in international nuclear activities, including multilateral and bilateral safety and security activities; and works closely with its international counterparts to enhance nuclear safety and security worldwide. To accomplish its overall mission NRC has identified two Strategic Goals—To ensure the safe and secure use of radioactive materials. We need a wide variety of administrative and technical staff to accomplish our objectives. We hire engineers, scientists, security specialists, information technology professionals, financial analysts, and a range of other occupations. We’re constantly looking for outstanding individuals at all levels – recent grads, mid-career professionals, and senior leaders.
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