Chief Administrative Law Judge

Minimum Qualifications and Licensure Requirement

*Former or Current ALJ applicants must currently hold or have held an Administrative Law Judge position at the AL-3 level or higher in the Federal Service to be eligible.

*ALJs must be held to a high standard of conduct to maintain the integrity and independence of the administrative judiciary.

*Applicants must meet the minimum qualification and licensure requirement specified in section 3(a)(ii) of the E.O. (5 CFR 6.3(b)). This means the minimum qualification and licensure requirement for an ALJ position is the possession of a professional license to practice law and being authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution at the time of selection and any new appointment (other than an incumbent ALJ). Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of ''active'' status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining ''active'' status to practice law, and being in ''good standing'' also is acceptable in lieu of ''active'' status in States where the licensing authority considers ''good standing'' as having a current license to practice law. In addition, the head of an agency may establish any additional requirements he or she deems necessary.

Current Administrative Law Judges are not subject to the minimum qualification and licensure requirements.

For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/specialty-areas/administrative-law-judge-positions/

Desirable Qualifications: Applicants are required to submit a narrative response addressing your specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrate your possession of these qualifications. Be sure to provide specific examples of what you've done that demonstrates your possession of each desirable qualification. Please limit your written responses to no more than 1 page in length.

1. Knowledge and experience in presiding at formal adjudicatory hearing; ability to conduct hearings in a dignified, orderly and impartial manner; ability to make and effectuate practical solutions to problems; and, at all times, ability to exercise courteous and tactful dealings with all personalities, not infrequently under trying conditions.
2. Demonstrated capacity to manage courtroom proceedings effectively and apply appropriate judicial temperament in dealing with proceedings brought before the National Transportation Safety Board.
3. Demonstrated experience rendering clear and precise oral and written initial decisions, which include findings and conclusions upon all material issues of fact, credibility of witnesses, and law and discretion, presented on the record together with a statement of the reasons, therefore.
4. Demonstrated experience leading and providing strategic direction for Attorneys and/or Administrative Law Judges.

NOTE: In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.