Administrative Law Judge

Summary

This position is in the Office of Administrative Law Judges (ALJ), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington, DC. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

• The Office of Administrative Law Judges serves as the Commission’s independent adjudicatory component responsible for conducting formal evidentiary hearings and issuing Initial Decisions in matters designated for hearing by the Commission under applicable provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended; the Administrative Procedure Act (APA); Commission rules; and other applicable statutes and authorities.
• The incumbent serves as an Administrative Law Judge exercising independent quasi-judicial authority in the conduct of formal administrative proceedings involving complex legal, regulatory, constitutional, policy, technical, licensing, enforcement, spectrum, media, competition, and public interest matters arising under the jurisdiction of the Commission.
• The Administrative Law Judge performs judicial functions requiring complete impartiality and independence from investigative, prosecutorial, licensing, enforcement, and policy-making functions of the agency.

Requirements

• Please note your resume must thoroughly support your responses to the vacancy questions.
• Your resume is an integral part of the process for determining if you meet the basic qualifications of the position and determining if you are to be among the best qualified.
• SF-50 Required: ALL FCC EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
• To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ALJs must be held to a high standard of conduct to maintain the integrity and independence of the administrative judiciary.
• As a condition of employment, all ALJs must meet the licensure requirement stated in Part II Qualification Requirements.
• Incumbent ALJs must continue to meet this condition throughout the duration of their employment.
• This requirement also applies to former ALJs who are reinstated or reemployed as Senior ALJs.
• Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining “active” status to practice law.
• Being in “good standing” is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States where the licensing authority considers “good standing” as having a current license to practice law.

Education

Refer to Educational requirements outlined within the “Qualifications” section.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Optional Four Essay Questions At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions. 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?

Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?

Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position. Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question. All candidates will be considered without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical or mental handicap, age, or any other non-merit factor.

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who do not submit a supporting resume will be rated ineligible. The following parts of the hiring process affect the evaluation of your application including: 1.

Supplemental documentation (e.g., SF-50, transcripts, bar membership); and 2. your resume. You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Benefits

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including: Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting

Required Documents

• Merit Hiring Plan
• Resume Requirements In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length.
• The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.
• Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below: Contact Information Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
• Relevant Work Experience Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions) Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022) The number of hours you worked per week Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications.
• Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
• Resumes must be formatted as outlined above.
• If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
• The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page
• Resume Limit USAjobs-How to Write a Federal
• Resume Your application MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement.
• You must submit a resume at the time of application.
• Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy.
• Current Federal employees must also submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the applicant will be rated as ineligible.
• This position may require the submission of supplemental documents before selection.
• Law academic transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) Proof of current, active bar membership Professional references Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload supporting application documentation.
• If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
• Supplemental Documents Required: Current Federal employees should submit a copy of an SF-50 documenting one year of time in grade.
• If an SF-50 is not submitted to verify time in grade, the application will be rated as ineligible.
• Transcripts Bar Membership If transcripts and proof of bar membership are not provided at the time of application, this documentation must be provided at the time of selection.
• Veterans must submit a legible Member 4 copy of the DD-214 which reflects the manner of discharge.
• Please refer to OPM’s VetGuide for further information about veterans’ preference via the following link: VetGuide