Administrative Judge (Technical)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission•Rockville, MD

10d

About The Position

This position is in the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP), where the Administrative Judge serves primarily as a technical member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings. The Panel conducts hearings and makes decisions concerning the granting, suspension, revocation, or amendment of licenses authorized by the Atomic Energy Act. Matters include nuclear power plants, enrichment and fabrication facilities, fuel-cycle facilities, spent-fuel storage, and facilities licensed to possess nuclear materials. Expected assignments include hearings involving new commercial nuclear power plants, advanced technology reactors, license renewals, and power uprates. The role includes prehearing work, participation in hearings, and decision-related work. Prehearing activities include reviewing pleadings and filings, researching highly technical matters, and preparing orders. During hearings, the judge advises the Board Chairperson on testimony and evidence, questions or examines witnesses, evaluates testimony, and helps ensure an accurate record. Decision-related work includes studying the record, considering proposed findings and conclusions, researching precedents, and preparing written orders and decisions. At the request of the Chief Administrative Judge, and consistent with primary adjudicatory responsibilities, the judge may also advise the Chief Administrative Judge and Panel on regulatory, administrative, and procedural matters relating to NRC licensing. The position reports to E. Roy Hawkens, Chief Administrative Judge. It is subject to public financial disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Situational telework may be available under agency policy. Candidates found well qualified may be appointed directly or placed on a register for future appointments.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Must meet the position qualifications within 30 calendar days after the announcement closing date and before placement.
Must be able to meet and maintain security and suitability requirements; a transferable security clearance or background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires, subject to the stated temporary waiver process.
Must undergo drug testing and meet the agency's drug-use requirements.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification that continued employment advances the public interest to remain employed after the trial period.
At least 15 years of work experience in a field related to the ASLBP's work.
Must possess the experience and professional stature required to perform the duties of an ASLBP Administrative Judge.
Must demonstrate comprehensive engineering or scientific expertise applicable to adjudicatory work, including the ability to understand and evaluate technical evidence and provide comprehensive written or oral analysis.
Must demonstrate the ability to make timely, fair, impartial, and independent decisions, working independently or as part of a team to complete deliverables.
Must communicate clearly and concisely, listen attentively, and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially with others in adversarial or collegial settings.
Must be able to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions or technical documents involving significant technical issues in a timely manner.
Must be able to establish effective work relationships and achieve cooperation and consensus among colleagues, management, and staff.
Applicants must describe their specialized experience and how they meet the ideal-candidate criteria in their resume; transcripts and applicable documentation of education must be submitted.
For the 0801 series, applicants must meet the stated engineering education or education-and-experience basic requirements, such as a qualifying engineering degree or an accepted combination involving engineering fundamentals and specified registration, examination, coursework, or related-curriculum qualifications.
For the 1301 series, applicants must meet the stated basic requirements: a Ph.D. in physical science, engineering, or mathematics including 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science; or a qualifying medical degree and undergraduate degree with the specified coursework and appropriate experience or additional education.
Education must be from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be documented as equivalent to U.S. education, with required credential evaluation evidence and English translations.

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D. or M.D. with at least 10 years of recent specialized experience beyond the degree demonstrating expert and comprehensive knowledge in an applicable engineering or scientific discipline.
Expertise in nuclear or radiological engineering, environmental sciences or engineering, geology or hydrology, civil engineering, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, or health physics; outstanding candidates in other disciplines related to ASLBP work may also be considered.
At least one year of experience comparable in complexity and responsibility to grade 15 Federal work or an equivalent private-sector level.
Recognition as an expert demonstrated through publications, teaching, public speaking, research, or extensive industry experience.
Prior non-litigant oral communication experience related to adjudicatory processes, such as serving as an expert witness or deponent.
Prior non-litigant writing experience related to adjudicatory processes, such as producing expert reviews or reports.
Ability to work courteously and effectively in adversarial or collegial settings and achieve cooperation and consensus.

Responsibilities

Serve as a technical member of three-member Licensing Boards in NRC adjudicatory proceedings.
Review pleadings and filings, research technical subject matter, and prepare prehearing orders.
Advise the Licensing Board Chairperson concerning testimony and evidence.
Question or examine witnesses, evaluate their testimony, and help assure an accurate hearing record.
Study the record, consider proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, research precedents, and prepare written orders and decisions.
When requested by the Chief Administrative Judge and consistent with primary adjudicatory duties, advise the Chief Administrative Judge and Panel on regulatory, administrative, and procedural matters relating to NRC licensing.