Law Clerk

Summary

This position is located in Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel.

The supervisor is Alana Bell, ASLBP Chief Counsel .

This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

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Duties

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The successful NRC Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel (ASLBP) Judicial Law Clerk candidate will perform the full range of duties. Such duties include but are not limited to:

• Drafting judicial decisions and orders, conducting legal research, preparing legal memoranda, and providing assistance to Licensing Boards during evidentiary hearings.
• Evaluating and developing cases from their earliest stages, including drafting rulings on standing and contention admissibility, discovery disputes and, ultimately, helping with the conduct of an evidentiary hearing and drafting merits decisions on those evidentiary presentations.

The two-year clerkship term generally runs from September to September. Selectees from this announcement will generally be expected to start employment in September of 2027.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

All information in your resume must be true and accurate.

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position
• Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  
  
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, applicants must have education and/or experience as outlined below

GS-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 2026-2027 academic year; OR

- a graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year

AND

1. Demonstrate a ranking in the top third (33%) of your law school class; OR

-have an overall law school grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0

GS-12:

1. A current judicial law clerk with a J.D. degree whose clerkship ends no later than September 2027

AND

1. Demonstrate a ranking in the top third (33%) of your law school class; OR

-have an overall law school grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge of the law as demonstrated by an exceptional record of academic achievement, particularly at law school.
2. Demonstrated ability to research and analyze complex legal issues and to share the results both orally and in writing. Excellence in legal writing, research, and analysis may be demonstrated in an applicant's writing sample and resume (e.g., law review, journal, or moot court experience).
3. Demonstrated interest in Administrative, Regulatory, and Environmental law, the three work areas of greatest focus of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel.

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.

PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Education

A professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year.

You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy.

Using federal grade and salary levels, ASLBP judicial law clerks will typically start at grade GG-11, step 10. After one year of satisfactory job performance, and assuming admission to the Bar of any state or the District of Columbia, an ASLBP law clerk is eligible for a promotion to grade GG-12, step 6. The full performance level for judicial law clerks is GG-12. Candidates who have at least 1 year of experience serving as a judicial law clerk may be eligible to start work at the GG-12 level.

ASLBP Law Clerks can potentially be non-competitively converted to a permanent appointment, not to exceed FPL.

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE: A recruitment incentive of 15% of your starting salary may be available to eligible selectees. To receive the incentive payment, you will be required to furnish official transcripts, and sign a service agreement, obligating you to remain with the NRC for a minimum of 18 months. Generally, current Federal employees are not eligible for a recruitment incentive.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency.

Selectees 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.

The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.

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 waiver 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits. This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.