Summary These positions are in the Office of the General Counsel, in the Divisions of Reactor Programs (RP), Rulemaking, Agreement States, and Fee Policy (RAF), and Security and Enforcement (SE). The supervisors are Assistant General Counsels Susan Vrahoretis (RP), Jessica Bielecki (RAF), and Patrick Moulding (SE). The positions are in the non-bargaining unit. Occasional travel is required. Responsibilities The successful candidates will serve as a Deputy Assistant General Counsel under the Assistant General Counsel for RP, RAF, or SE, in the Office of the General Counsel, providing support in the management of their assigned division, coordinating and providing legal services, and representing the staff in agency adjudications or in connection with rulemaking activities. Depending upon assigned division, duties will include: Supervision of attorneys, paralegal specialists, and support staff assigned to the division, assignment of work, performance evaluation of employees, preparation of the division’s proposed budget, travel and payroll approval, development of training plans for division employees, and other managerial responsibilities. Providing representation in agency hearings in connection with licensing, oversight of facilities, and associated matters. 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. (RP) Preparing and reviewing new or amended NRC regulations, guidance, 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. Advising and providing legal services related to Agreement State and Tribal matters, and fee disputes and fee waivers. (RAF) Providing legal advice concerning (1) nuclear security of reactors and materials; (2) enforcement of NRC requirements, including representation in associated administrative proceedings; and (3) “legal sufficiency” matters associated with processing complaints of discrimination in employment, consistent with 29 C.F.R. part 1614. (SE) The following are performed with a high degree of independence: In the absence of the Assistant General Counsel, is responsible (in collaboration with other deputy, if applicable), for the day-to-day operation of the division including supervision of attorneys and support staff. 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 principal lead attorney in an assigned hearing case, provides leadership and guidance to assigned back-up attorneys which include such facets as assignment and/or review of pleadings, testimony, correspondence related to assigned cases, preparation of witnesses, assignment and revision of other written work connected with assigned cases, etc. When in an advice and counseling role, provides leadership and guidance and serves as a resource for staff in the assigned division. 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 (RP); or new or amended NRC regulations, guidance, and policy statements pertinent to the licensing, construction, operation, and security of nuclear facilities (including nuclear power plants and fuel facilities) and nuclear materials, matters involving the Agreement State Program, State and Tribal governments, the annual fee rule, fee disputes, and fee waivers, backfitting and issue finality, and maintenance of the Backfitting Community of Practice (RAF); or security of nuclear reactors and materials, allegations of wrongdoing, investigations, and enforcement of agency requirements, and NRC’s processing of complaints of employment discrimination consistent with 29 C.F.R. part 1614 (SE). Requirements Conditions of Employment This is a Drug Testing position. This position is subject to prohibited security ownership restrictions. This position is subject to confidential financial disclosure reporting. You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. 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, as amended, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, 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 five years of broad experience in handling complex legal problems, preparing and litigating cases, advising on rulemaking, and/or enforcement activities, making statutory interpretations, preparing legal documents, reviewing documents for legal sufficiency, and developing sound legal decisions and recommendations in a field in which little legal precedent has been established. The incumbent must also be able to understand highly complex and technical subject matters outside the area of the incumbent’s legal expertise and present the client's position on these matters in an understandable fashion during hearings and arguments or as part of rulemaking or enforcement activities. 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 with rulemaking or enforcement procedures. 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: Demonstrated ability or clear evidence of potential to provide leadership and effectively use human resources. Demonstrated ability to conduct research, interpret and analyze federal laws, statutes, regulations, and case law associated with the most complex issues and problems. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, staff, and external government and private sector personnel. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in-writing. A description of how you possess and demonstrate these abilities, including specific examples of your performance, should be included in your application package. Please also specify the deputy position(s) to which you are applying. 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. Additional Information The duty location of this position is Rockville, Maryland. In general, employees are expected to be in the office (4 days per pay period). Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable. Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via [email protected]. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.