Administrative Judge (Technical)

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.

The NRC protects public health and safety and advances the nation’s common defense and security by enabling the safe and secure use and deployment of civilian nuclear energy technologies and radioactive materials through efficient and reliable licensing, oversight, and regulation for the benefit of society and the environment.

Duties

This Administrative Law Judge (Technical) position is with the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel, NRC duty location - Headquarters, Rockville, MD. 

The incumbent of this position 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.

As the Administrative Judge (Technical), 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

Experience

Applications are being requested from outstanding candidates with expertise in engineering and scientific fields, especially nuclear and radiological engineering, environmental sciences/engineering, geology/hydrology, civil engineering, nuclear materials, nuclear waste, and health physics. Outstanding candidates in other disciplines related to the work of the ASLBP will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A minimally qualified applicant must have at least 15 years of work experience in a field related to the ASLBP's work. However, a preferred candidate would have a Ph.D./M.D. with at least 10 years of recent specialized experience beyond the Ph.D./M.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:

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

Basic Requirements for Engineering:

1.      Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must lead to a Ph.D. degree in a school of engineering;
OR

2.      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.

OR:

Basic Requirements for Physical Science:

1.      Degree: Ph.D. degree in a 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

2.      Medical degree with an undergraduate degree in 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 Career Opportunities page, click on “Apply Now” then “Search for New Opportunities” and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies at USAJOBS.”  Or, click on the apply button/link on this site to be taken to NRC ‘s USAJOBS.gov employment page.  Find the Administrative Judge (Technical) Announcement Number DEST-13086500-27-TB and apply on-line by April 26, 2027.  If you are viewing this opportunity after April 26, 2027, please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.

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 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.

NOTE: It is essential for you to view the official Job Opportunity Announcement found on USAJOBS.  It will provide precise information about the qualification requirements and the exact documents to be submitted for you to be evaluated, which will include your resume (not to exceed two pages in length), your transcripts, your responses to all required vacancy questions and any documents related to application eligibilities you may be claiming.