BE AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

KEY REQUIREMENTS



• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Background investigation will be required.
• Complete assessment questionnaire.

The primary function of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is to hear and initially decide unfair labor practice cases and other cases involving the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), as amended (29 USC Sec. 151).  Hearings are conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the applicable case law and rules and regulations of the NLRB.

The ALJ is expected to preside at hearings and issue decisions in cases that are often complex and sensitive and involve hotly contested and controversial issues. All hearings are adversarial, with parties represented by counsel. Among the duties and responsibilities of the ALJ are: Conducting pre-trial conferences to simplify the issues in a case, including helping the parties to achieve settlement without a trial and ruling on petitions to revoke subpoenas; ruling on other motions both before and during the hearing; conducting hearings involving contested issues, regulating the course of hearings, governing the conduct of attorneys and witnesses, and controlling the questioning of witnesses; receiving and ruling on admissibility of evidence, and, as necessary, examining witnesses; determining when the record is complete and requiring the production of additional evidence as necessary to establish an adequate record; analyzing and evaluating the evidence, determining the credibility of witnesses, and resolving disputed issues of fact and conflicts in testimony; considering all arguments and briefs and rendering a written decision that defines the issues, resolves conflicts and makes findings of fact and conclusions of law, applying the relevant legal principles under the NLRA and decisions of the NLRB.

Considerable travel is required to sites throughout the Eastern, Southern and Mid-Western United States, but also, other sections of the United States and its territories. The ALJ may be required to remain in travel status for a week at a time. On occasion, particularly at the beginning of their tenure, an ALJ may be required to travel for several consecutive weeks.  In addition, the ALJ is required to write his or her own decisions, without the assistance of a full-time lawyer law clerk, and is expected to issue timely decisions and to achieve a reasonable number of dispositions, including both settlements and decisions issued.

Mandatory Qualifications: Applicants must currently hold a Federal Administrative Law Judge position at the AL-3 grade level or higher or be eligible for reinstatement based on prior experience as a Federal Administrative Law Judge.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge of the substantive law, rules, regulations and procedures of the NLRA, as well as general litigation and administrative law principles. In the absence of such experience and knowledge, experience and knowledge in related fields, particularly those involving labor and employment law. Recent experience in litigated adversarial cases is preferred.
• Ability, as evidenced by relevant recent experience, to preside over and control an adversary hearing in which all parties are represented by counsel.
• Ability, as evidenced by relevant recent experience, to analyze applicable facts and law, and write a timely, clear and complete, but concise, decision.
• Ability, as evidenced by revelant experience, to settle or mediate disputes involving adversarial parties, and to maintain the proper judicial temperament and demeanor, to communicate and cooperate with counsel, witnesses, chief judges responsible for assigning cases, administrative support staff, court reporters, interpreters, as well as other agency and government officials.
• Ability, as evidenced by relevant recent experience, to proficiently use a computer to communicate, write decisions, and perform research through electronic means, such as Westlaw.   

NOTE: Any questions regarding the above requirements may be discussed on a confidential and individual basis with the Human Resources Specialist listed below at (202) 273-0044.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

All applicants will be evaluated on the Mandatory Qualification requirements and the Desirable Qualifications for the position. Suitability for the position will be determined from review of application, applicant's writing samples, supporting documentation and based upon the responses you provide during the interview (if any). A Subject Matter Expert (SME) will evaluate the candidates.

Benefits: The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at http://www.usajobs.gov/EI/benefits.asp  .

OTHER INFORMATION:

The Judges Division is committed to diversity in its complement of administrative law judges and encourages minorities and women to apply for this position.

Veterans' preference was adjudicated during the ALJ Exam process.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov  ).

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents: 
- SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service)

-Two writing samples. The writing samples must be either decisions in cases where adversarial parties were represented by counsel, or briefs in such cases in which the applicant participated as counsel before a judge or court.

-The names, titles, addresses, including email addresses, of three references, who are able to vouch for your relevant abilities and experience. 

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the bottom of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application you may use the following link: https://applicationmanager.gov/.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload, complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID 626480. Fax your documents to 1-478-757-3144.

If you cannot apply online:
1. Click the following link to view and print the assessment questionnaire  View Occupational Questionnaire , and
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the assessment questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf and
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to 1-478-757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Your complete Application Package (containing the above required documents) must be received no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time on Monday, April 16, 2012.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If you are determined to be qualified and eligible you may be referred to the hiring official. If your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly by that office for a possible interview.

You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).