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Each year, the NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the Office of the General Counsel's (OGC's) Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry-level attorneys at the NRC. As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consisting of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.
Learn more about this agency07/07/2022 to 07/28/2022
$97,430 - $116,788 per year
GG 11 - 12
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - There is occasional travel associated with OGC attorney positions. The amount of travel depends on the type of work you are performing. Attorneys involved with litigation and hearings typically need to travel more often.
No
Permanent
Full-time - Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy (Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable) and the Honor Law Graduate Program policy.
Excepted
14
No
Yes
OGC-2022-0002
664052200
Applications accepted from US citizens. NRC employees are encouraged to apply.
The Honor Law Graduate Program allows you to collaborate with seasoned attorneys and work independently on a variety of assignments, such as the following:
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.
In order to qualify for the Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the following qualification criteria:
You must apply for only ONE grade, either GG-11 OR GG-12. Please read below to determine the grade at which you would qualify based on your education and experience:
GG-11:
1. a third-year law student (3L) at an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn a J.D. degree no later than June of the academic year of application; or
- a graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the academic year of application; and
2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. NOTE: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school’s grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.
Specialized experience, including educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.
GG-12:
1. a J.D. degree; or
- an LL.M. degree; and
- a current judicial law clerk with a minimum of one year of judicial law clerk experience within 30 calendar days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement; and
2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. NOTE: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school’s grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.
Specialized experience, including educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.
Admission to the Bar is not a prerequisite to applying and being considered for the Honor Law Graduate Program, but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. Recent law school graduates who join the NRC before bar examination results are available will provide evidence of Bar admission as soon as possible after admission. Selectees who are not admitted to the Bar will not be promoted to the GG-12 level. Those not admitted to the Bar within two years may be separated from the NRC.
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The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.
- Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis orally and in writing (evidenced by relevant employment experience or internships, academic achievement, or extracurricular law school activities).
- Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis in writing as evidence by an unedited writing sample.
You must possess a professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association no later than June of the academic year of application.
The duty location of this position is Rockville, MD. 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.
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the NRC will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. The NRC will request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
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 Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.
Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/
Selectee's will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires. To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver. To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment. If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance.
The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the program requirements. Your application will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and supplemental information. If you are among the best qualified for this position, your application will be referred to the selecting official. Please keep in mind your resume is of key importance 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.
Your complete application must be submitted during the open period (dates listed at the top of this page) and reflect how you meet the qualification and ideal candidate criteria listed under the "Qualifications Required" section.
If you are a federal employee you are required to submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available.
List of supplemental material that may be applicable:
If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
Since you are applying for a position that requires a college degree, you must submit your College Transcripts. Transcripts can be unofficial but must include the applicant's current academic standing and GPA. All transcripts pertaining to the grade level for which you are applying are required for verification purposes. Please do not have your school send your official transcript separately from your application—an official transcript will be requested if you are selected. If you received your degree from a foreign educational institution, it is your responsibility to submit verification of accreditation. PLEASE NOTE: Your supplemental information MUST be received electronically and uploaded online through USAjobs.com. If you fail to submit the required documentation, you will not receive consideration for this position.
All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:
1. Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
2. use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc; or
3. use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax it, along with your supplemental documents to 1-571-258-4052.
A complete application must include the following materials:
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Requirements for the position: Initially, your position may not be covered by Prohibited Securities rule as a legal intern. However, you will be subject to the prohibited securities restriction after you pass the bar and are formally converted to an attorney position. Your position will be covered by the Financial Disclosure Requirements when your position is at the GG-14 grade level.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application (resume and required documents) for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, including required documents, you will not be considered for this position. Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions will not be granted. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist BEFORE the closing date to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission. You will be rated based on your application materials and information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered as provided in your resume and required documentation.
The NRC requires that applicants submit resumes built using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool. The Resume Builder tool is activated upon selecting "Build New Resume" under the "Resumes" section of your USAJOBS account.
SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION: If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility. If you are a Veteran claiming 5-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility. If you are a Veteran claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof required by that form. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. ALL supplemental material must be included with your application at the time that you submit it. See required documents below.
A complete application must include the following materials:
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJobs and selecting "Application Status."
Typically, interviews take place in the fall, and final selections occur in October and November. Selectees begin work around Labor Day of the following year, pending their successful completion of the security clearance process.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/664052200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
If you are curious, inspired, or interested in bringing your energy to a committed team in a dynamic science, engineering, technical, or administrative career, consider the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). We are professionals dedicated to protecting people and the environment by safeguarding the use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry, and research.
NRC is an independent agency established to protect public health and safety as nuclear energy fuels electrical power and a variety of industrial, medical, and research applications. We come from diverse educational and experiential backgrounds—the military, industry, and academia.
The NRC prides itself on creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership, training, teamwork and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the NRC where you can be a part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry and research. To find out more about the NRC, we invite you to visit us on the web at www.nrc.gov.
