Administrative Judge (Legal)

Nuclear Regulatory Commission•Rockville, MD

10d

About The Position

This position is located in the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP) and serves as a member of the Panel. The ASLBP conducts hearings and makes decisions regarding the granting, suspension, revocation, or amendment of licenses authorized by the Atomic Energy Act, including licenses related to nuclear power plants, enrichment facilities, fuel-cycle facilities, spent-fuel storage, and the possession and use of nuclear materials. Hearings are usually conducted by a three-member Board, typically consisting of a Legal Administrative Judge serving as chair and two Technical Administrative Judges. This assignment is associated with expected hearings involving new commercial nuclear power plant licensing, renewal of existing plant licenses, and power uprates. The Panel’s judges are appointed by the Commission based on recognized experience and achievement in their fields. The role includes prehearing work, such as examining pleadings and filings and preparing orders; hearing work, such as coordinating and scheduling hearings, examining witnesses, evaluating testimony, and ensuring an accurate record; and decision-related work, such as studying the record, considering proposed findings and conclusions, researching precedent, and preparing written orders and decisions. At the Chief Administrative Judge’s request, the position may also perform other duties consistent with its primary adjudicatory responsibilities, including advising the Chief Administrative Judge and Panel on regulatory, administrative, and procedural matters relating to NRC licensing. The position is subject to public financial disclosure and security ownership restriction reporting requirements. It may be eligible for situational telework under agency policy. Employment is subject to U.S. citizenship, drug testing, security and suitability requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period. The appointee must be a graduate of an accredited law school with a J.D., LL.B., or equivalent degree and an active member in good standing of a U.S. state or territorial bar or the District of Columbia bar.

Requirements

At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
At least 10 years of work experience, including substantial litigation experience in fields directly applicable to ASLBP adjudicatory work.
Experience, poise, temperament, judgment, collegiality, and professional stature suited to presiding over ASLBP proceedings.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to make fair and impartial decisions in a timely manner based on the record.
Ability to work effectively and collegially as part of a team.
Graduate of an accredited law school with a J.D., LL.B., or equivalent degree.
Active membership in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory or the District of Columbia.
U.S. citizenship.
Ability to meet and maintain security and suitability requirements.
Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment dependent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
Must provide transcripts verifying education; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent to a conventional U.S. education program.
Ability to interpret and apply substantive law; assimilate technical subject matter; define issues; and analyze, synthesize, and evaluate evidence.
Ability to make independent decisions in a timely, fair, and impartial manner.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, examine expert and lay witnesses, listen attentively, and deal courteously, tactfully, firmly, and impartially in adversarial or similar settings.
Ability to write clear, concise, comprehensive, and convincing decisions involving complex legal and technical issues in a timely manner.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with management, peers, and staff, and achieve cooperation and consensus among parties.

Nice To Haves

Experience in administrative law and environmental law.
Extensive litigation experience.
Comprehensive knowledge and experience with trial and administrative hearing procedures and practices, including rules of evidence, witness examination, and alternative dispute resolution techniques.
Experience using computer and telecommunications technologies, including electronic filing, database management, and video conferencing, particularly in licensing and enforcement proceedings involving civilian nuclear facilities and required public hearings.
Prior experience with adjudicatory processes and litigation, such as serving as counsel for a party.
Experience comparable in complexity and responsibility to work normally assigned at grade 15 or higher in the Federal government, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Examine pleadings and filings and prepare prehearing orders.
Coordinate and schedule hearings.
Question or examine witnesses and evaluate their testimony.
Ensure an accurate hearing record.
Study the record and consider proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Research precedent and prepare written orders and decisions.
As requested by the Chief Administrative Judge, advise the Chief Administrative Judge and the Panel on regulatory, administrative, and procedural matters relating to NRC licensing.
Perform other assigned duties that do not conflict with primary adjudicatory responsibilities.