Summary The FAA seeks a candidate to serve as a “Dispute Resolution Officer and Administrative Judge” (AJ) in its Office of Adjudication, which includes the Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA). AJs preside over bid protests, contract disputes, and informal aviation enforcement cases. They advise the FAA Administrator or delegee in administrative enforcement appeals. AJs serve as neutrals in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings. Responsibilities The Office of Adjudication conducts administrative proceedings under 14 CFR Parts 13, 14, and 17. Matters before the office involve the enforcement of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) under Part 13 and acquisition matters under Part 17. Part 14, the FAA’s regulation implementing the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), applies to both areas of practice. (Potential applicants are encouraged to review the stated regulations and the office website (www.faa.gov/go/adjudication) for a complete understanding of its mission.) AJs preside over administrative adjudications in bid protests, contract disputes, informal aviation enforcement hearings, and EAJA matters. They conduct hearings, administer oaths, receive evidence, rule on motions, and issue initial decisions. They develop the administrative record, and ensure due process is provided under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). AJs administer agency-level appeals under Part 13, subparts D and G, and provide advice to the FAA decisionmaker (typically the FAA Administrator) in these matters. They write decisions, orders, letters, memoranda, and other documents in an organized, clear, and persuasive manner capable of withstanding review in a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. AJs serve as ADR neutrals in matters within the Office of Adjudication’s jurisdiction. Additionally, AJs write or update regulations, standing orders, guides, and other materials affecting the work of the Office of Adjudication. They often engage with the public and other government offices as an invited speaker to promote an understanding of the law and mission of the Office of Adjudication. AJs are expected to identify and learn emerging issues, principles, and practices relevant to the docket. Administrative Judges also perform other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet all of the following criteria: (1) Have a JD or equivalent degree from an accredited law school; (2) Be admitted and authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any U.S. territorial court; (3) Be an active or judicial member of that bar in good standing (or its equivalent); and (4) Demonstrate at least seven (7) years of experience as a licensed attorney preparing for, participating in, or conducting formal hearings or trials involving litigation and/or administrative law at the federal, state, or local level. Experience in the adjudicatory process and litigation (e.g., as counsel for a party) must be clearly evident in the application package. Qualifying experience must include at least one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to the next lower grade/pay band (FG/GS-14/FV-J) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience adjudicating or representing parties in judicial proceedings, formal administrative hearings, or ADR for such proceedings or hearings. (Note: Formal hearings are defined as proceedings conducted on the record under procedures at least as formal as those prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. Sections 553 through 559.) How You Will Be Evaluated: Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or Selective Placement Factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) (if applicable) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, a screening committee will further evaluate all minimally qualified candidates and provide selection recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation for final decision. In determining the degree to which candidates possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, the screening committee will consider the breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; education and training; professional stature; awards and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities. Your resume is key in the entire evaluation and selection process. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a complete and thorough resume package that clearly demonstrates your experience that directly relates to this position. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Proof of bar membership and status must be dated within one year of the closing date of this announcement. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification. Advice to Applicants: Your resume and other supporting documents must fully demonstrate the qualifications as described above. Your full application package will be used to assess your qualifications and eligibility and during the review/interview process, you must demonstrate the following: The experience, poise, temperament, judgment, collegiality, and professional stature required to perform successfully the important duties and responsibilities of a presiding Administrative Judge in proceedings that come before the Office of Adjudication. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to make fair and impartial decisions in a timely manner based on the record. Applicants may be asked to verify information on their application for employment with the FAA. **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.** Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide such evidence at the time of application. For additional information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Applicants who are not currently in the 905 occupational series (Attorney) in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 905 occupational series (Attorney), you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it. Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee. NOTES: 1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate. 2) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm. 3) Some, all, or none of the referred applicants may be interviewed. 4) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained. This is not a bargaining unit position. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA