Job Title: Attorney
Posted by: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on May 23, 2023
Location:
Rockville , MD 20852Job 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 four (4) Attorney positions are in the Office of the General Counsel, in the Divisions of Reactor Programs (RP); Materials, Fuel Cycle, and Waste Programs (MFW); and Rulemaking, Agreement States, and Fee Policy (RASFP) NRC Headquarters, Rockville, MD.
The successful candidates will serve as attorneys under the Assistant General Counsel and Deputy Assistant General Counsel for RP, MFW, or RASFP in the Office of the General Counsel.
Selectees will be placed in one of these three divisions but may move to other OGC divisions as workload needs change over time. Depending upon placement, duties will include providing representation in agency adjudications or providing advice in non-adjudicatory contexts and advising and providing legal services related to:
• The licensing and regulation of nuclear power and non-power reactors, including issuance, renewal, and transfer of licenses, construction permits, early site permits, combined licenses, operating licenses, and manufacturing licenses; issuance of standard design approvals and design certification activities for new reactors; and reactor operator licensing.
• The licensing and regulation of nuclear materials, fuel cycle facilities, the disposal and storage of low-level and high-level waste, and other related activities.
• The preparation and review of NRC regulations and policy statements for the NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste, and disposal programs, fees, backfitting/issue finality, the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
When in a litigation role, responsible under the general direction of the Assistant General Counsel or Deputy Assistant General Counsel, or, on occasion, guidance of a senior attorney, for representing the NRC staff in hearings before Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission in proceedings related to the licensing and regulation of nuclear power or non-power reactors or nuclear materials, fuel cycle facilities, or the disposal and storage of low-level and high-level waste.
When in a rulemaking role, responsible under the general direction of Assistant General Counsel or Deputy Assistant General Counsel, or, on occasion, guidance of a senior attorney for reviewing and preparing effective NRC regulations and policy statements for NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste and disposal licensing programs, fees, backfitting/issue finality, and the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy; for preparing and reviewing NRC staff papers recommending actions for the Commission to take with respect to regulations and policy statements; and appearing before the Commission or NRC advisory committees to support proposed regulations, policy statements, or positions.
The following are performed with a high degree of independence:
Reviews technical documents to determine their legal sufficiency; performs difficult original legal research; develops solutions to novel and complex legal issues; provides legal opinions and advice; and identifies and addresses policy matters, including consideration of relevant risks.
When serving as lead attorney, provides leadership and guidance to assigned back-up attorneys. In this role, makes assignments to the back-up attorneys and provides comments and revisions to documents and other work products connected with assigned matters.
Depending upon assigned OGC division, provides advice and counsel in connection with the licensing and regulation of nuclear power and non-power reactor facilities, issuance of standard design approvals and design certification activities for new reactors; reactor operator licensing; or nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities; fuel cycle facilities; nuclear materials facilities; and nuclear materials users.
When in a litigation role, prepares and conducts difficult and complex cases before Atomic Safety and Licensing boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission. Prepares motions and briefs; obtains witnesses and develops their testimony; negotiates with petitioners, intervenors, licensees, applicants, attorneys, members of the public, and Federal and State and local agencies; conducts direct examination on highly technical-scientific subjects; and regularly makes persuasive arguments during oral hearings.
When in a rulemaking role, addresses difficult and complex regulatory and policy matters. Reviews rulemaking packages, Commission papers, and various policy documents. Participates in and supports NRC staff in meetings with representatives and officials of Federal, State, and Tribal governments, public interest, and industry groups. When working with NRC staff offices, makes recommendations to NRC staff as to the positions to be taken by NRC and renders legal opinions regarding proposed courses of action. Provides day-to-day advice to the NRC staff and Commission with respect to agency rulemaking activities, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant environmental statutes and policies, backfitting/issue finality, fees, the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
Selectee will be subject to Office of Government Ethics Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and the NRC’s Prohibited Securities rule.
Qualifications
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.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes experience that is defined as attorney or judicial work experience in a federal or state government legal office, federal or state judiciary, or the private practice of law, which provided the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work of these positions.
Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to:
Thorough knowledge and understanding of legal principles and laws such as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, or other statutes applicable to Federal or State regulatory agencies; legislative history and case law; and NRC or other regulatory agency rules, regulations, and policies.
Minimally qualified candidates will have multiple years of work experience, including substantial rulemaking and/or litigation experience, in fields related to the rulemaking and/or adjudicatory work of OGC at the NRC or analogous work at Federal or State regulatory agencies or in the private sector; however, a preferred candidate would have experience in administrative law and environmental law, and would possess extensive litigation or rulemaking 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 13 for 14 levels in the Federal government, or equivalent.
An applicant should also possess the experience, poise, temperament, judgment, collegiality, and professional stature required to successfully perform the important duties and responsibilities of an attorney providing legal advice to the General Counsel (and the Deputy General Counsels and Associate General Counsel, if applicable), the Commission, and the NRC staff.
An applicant's resume should describe any prior experience with the adjudicatory process and litigation and/or rulemaking.
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.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
1. Ability to interpret and analyze Federal laws, statutes, regulations, and cases as they relate to Federal rulemaking and agency adjudicatory processes.
2. Ability to effectively identify, analyze, prepare detailed legal opinions, and resolve complex legal issues in various areas of law.
3. Ability to provide legal advice and support to the General Counsel, the Commission, and the Commission staff on all aspects of:
1. reactor licensing and regulation for operating reactors, new reactors, advanced reactors, reactor license transfers, license renewal, design certification, reactor decommissioning, and research and test reactors;
2. licensing and regulation for materials, fuel cycle, spent fuel storage and disposal, fuel packaging and transportation, and low- and high-level waste storage and disposal; and/or
3. regulations and policy statements for the NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste and disposal licensing programs, fees backfitting/issue finality, and the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in-writing in connection with providing advice on rulemaking activities and/or hearings on reactor and materials litigation before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission.
A description of how you possess the specialized experience and ideal candidate language should be addressed in your resume or in the space provided for your supplemental response. You must meet the qualifications for this position no later than 30 days after the date you submit your application and before placement in the position.
Education
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.
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 Attorney Job Announcement Number OGC-2023-0005 and apply on-line by May 30, 2023. We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position so that you correctly submit all necessary materials and documentation. If you are viewing this opportunity after May 30th please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.
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 four (4) Attorney positions are in the Office of the General Counsel, in the Divisions of Reactor Programs (RP); Materials, Fuel Cycle, and Waste Programs (MFW); and Rulemaking, Agreement States, and Fee Policy (RASFP) NRC Headquarters, Rockville, MD.
The successful candidates will serve as attorneys under the Assistant General Counsel and Deputy Assistant General Counsel for RP, MFW, or RASFP in the Office of the General Counsel.
Selectees will be placed in one of these three divisions but may move to other OGC divisions as workload needs change over time. Depending upon placement, duties will include providing representation in agency adjudications or providing advice in non-adjudicatory contexts and advising and providing legal services related to:
• The licensing and regulation of nuclear power and non-power reactors, including issuance, renewal, and transfer of licenses, construction permits, early site permits, combined licenses, operating licenses, and manufacturing licenses; issuance of standard design approvals and design certification activities for new reactors; and reactor operator licensing.
• The licensing and regulation of nuclear materials, fuel cycle facilities, the disposal and storage of low-level and high-level waste, and other related activities.
• The preparation and review of NRC regulations and policy statements for the NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste, and disposal programs, fees, backfitting/issue finality, the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
When in a litigation role, responsible under the general direction of the Assistant General Counsel or Deputy Assistant General Counsel, or, on occasion, guidance of a senior attorney, for representing the NRC staff in hearings before Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission in proceedings related to the licensing and regulation of nuclear power or non-power reactors or nuclear materials, fuel cycle facilities, or the disposal and storage of low-level and high-level waste.
When in a rulemaking role, responsible under the general direction of Assistant General Counsel or Deputy Assistant General Counsel, or, on occasion, guidance of a senior attorney for reviewing and preparing effective NRC regulations and policy statements for NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste and disposal licensing programs, fees, backfitting/issue finality, and the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy; for preparing and reviewing NRC staff papers recommending actions for the Commission to take with respect to regulations and policy statements; and appearing before the Commission or NRC advisory committees to support proposed regulations, policy statements, or positions.
The following are performed with a high degree of independence:
Reviews technical documents to determine their legal sufficiency; performs difficult original legal research; develops solutions to novel and complex legal issues; provides legal opinions and advice; and identifies and addresses policy matters, including consideration of relevant risks.
When serving as lead attorney, provides leadership and guidance to assigned back-up attorneys. In this role, makes assignments to the back-up attorneys and provides comments and revisions to documents and other work products connected with assigned matters.
Depending upon assigned OGC division, provides advice and counsel in connection with the licensing and regulation of nuclear power and non-power reactor facilities, issuance of standard design approvals and design certification activities for new reactors; reactor operator licensing; or nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities; fuel cycle facilities; nuclear materials facilities; and nuclear materials users.
When in a litigation role, prepares and conducts difficult and complex cases before Atomic Safety and Licensing boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission. Prepares motions and briefs; obtains witnesses and develops their testimony; negotiates with petitioners, intervenors, licensees, applicants, attorneys, members of the public, and Federal and State and local agencies; conducts direct examination on highly technical-scientific subjects; and regularly makes persuasive arguments during oral hearings.
When in a rulemaking role, addresses difficult and complex regulatory and policy matters. Reviews rulemaking packages, Commission papers, and various policy documents. Participates in and supports NRC staff in meetings with representatives and officials of Federal, State, and Tribal governments, public interest, and industry groups. When working with NRC staff offices, makes recommendations to NRC staff as to the positions to be taken by NRC and renders legal opinions regarding proposed courses of action. Provides day-to-day advice to the NRC staff and Commission with respect to agency rulemaking activities, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant environmental statutes and policies, backfitting/issue finality, fees, the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
Selectee will be subject to Office of Government Ethics Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and the NRC’s Prohibited Securities rule.
Qualifications
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.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes experience that is defined as attorney or judicial work experience in a federal or state government legal office, federal or state judiciary, or the private practice of law, which provided the candidate with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work of these positions.
Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to:
Thorough knowledge and understanding of legal principles and laws such as the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, or other statutes applicable to Federal or State regulatory agencies; legislative history and case law; and NRC or other regulatory agency rules, regulations, and policies.
Minimally qualified candidates will have multiple years of work experience, including substantial rulemaking and/or litigation experience, in fields related to the rulemaking and/or adjudicatory work of OGC at the NRC or analogous work at Federal or State regulatory agencies or in the private sector; however, a preferred candidate would have experience in administrative law and environmental law, and would possess extensive litigation or rulemaking 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 13 for 14 levels in the Federal government, or equivalent.
An applicant should also possess the experience, poise, temperament, judgment, collegiality, and professional stature required to successfully perform the important duties and responsibilities of an attorney providing legal advice to the General Counsel (and the Deputy General Counsels and Associate General Counsel, if applicable), the Commission, and the NRC staff.
An applicant's resume should describe any prior experience with the adjudicatory process and litigation and/or rulemaking.
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.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:
1. Ability to interpret and analyze Federal laws, statutes, regulations, and cases as they relate to Federal rulemaking and agency adjudicatory processes.
2. Ability to effectively identify, analyze, prepare detailed legal opinions, and resolve complex legal issues in various areas of law.
3. Ability to provide legal advice and support to the General Counsel, the Commission, and the Commission staff on all aspects of:
1. reactor licensing and regulation for operating reactors, new reactors, advanced reactors, reactor license transfers, license renewal, design certification, reactor decommissioning, and research and test reactors;
2. licensing and regulation for materials, fuel cycle, spent fuel storage and disposal, fuel packaging and transportation, and low- and high-level waste storage and disposal; and/or
3. regulations and policy statements for the NRC’s reactors, materials, and fuel cycle, waste and disposal licensing programs, fees backfitting/issue finality, and the NRC agreement state program, and Tribal policy.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in-writing in connection with providing advice on rulemaking activities and/or hearings on reactor and materials litigation before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Boards, Presiding Officers, and the Commission.
A description of how you possess the specialized experience and ideal candidate language should be addressed in your resume or in the space provided for your supplemental response. You must meet the qualifications for this position no later than 30 days after the date you submit your application and before placement in the position.
Education
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.
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 Attorney Job Announcement Number OGC-2023-0005 and apply on-line by May 30, 2023. We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position so that you correctly submit all necessary materials and documentation. If you are viewing this opportunity after May 30th please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.
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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