Summary

The Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals (OMHA) administers the third level of Medicare appeals and is committed to fair, timely, and impartial adjudication. The Chief Administrative Law Judge (CALJ) leads OMHA's nationwide operations, providing executive leadership, strategic direction, and judicial oversight while ensuring Medicare appeals are adjudicated in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Departmental policies.

Duties

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The Chief Administrative Law Judge (CALJ) leads OMHA's nationwide Medicare appeals program and is responsible for the overall management and direction of the organization. The CALJ provides executive leadership for headquarters and field operations, oversees Medicare appeals adjudication activities, and ensures Administrative Law Judges conduct fair and impartial hearings and issue decisions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The CALJ also establishes organizational priorities, performance goals, and operational strategies to support OMHA's mission.

The CALJ oversees workforce planning, budget and resource management, and modernization initiatives to improve the efficiency, quality, timeliness, and consistency of Medicare appeals adjudication. In addition, the CALJ serves as the principal advisor to Department leadership on Medicare hearings and appeals matters, represents OMHA and HHS before Federal and external stakeholders, and may personally hear and decide particularly complex, significant, or sensitive cases.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Must successfully complete all pre-employment requirements.
• Subject to a suitability or fitness determination based on a background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Must complete and maintain Executive Branch public financial disclosure requirements.
• Selective Service registration requirements apply, where applicable.
• Employment is subject to all Federal ethics requirements and restrictions.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.

Qualifications

Mandatory Requirements

Applicants must:

1. Currently hold a Federal Administrative Law Judge position.
2. Possess and maintain a valid license to practice law and be 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. Judicial status is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in jurisdictions that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining active bar membership. Being in "good standing" is acceptable in lieu of "active" status in jurisdictions where the licensing authority considers good standing to constitute authorization to practice law.
3. Have served at the AL-2 level or higher for at least one year by the closing date of the announcement.
4. Continue to satisfy all applicable Administrative Law Judge qualification and licensure requirements throughout employment.

Executive and Technical Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate:

1. Extensive knowledge of administrative law, adjudication, and the Medicare program.
2. Experience leading large, geographically dispersed organizations.
3. Ability to lead organizational transformation and strategic change.
4. Experience managing human capital, budgets, technology, and operational resources.
5. Demonstrated ability to make legally sound, timely, and defensible decisions.
6. Experience building partnerships and collaborating with senior Federal officials and external stakeholders.
7. Commitment to judicial independence, fairness, integrity, and public service.
8. Recent, significant leadership experience addressing substantial backlogs of complex adjudicatory matters while maintaining timely, high-quality service delivery amid fluctuating case volumes, changing priorities, and resource constraints.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

Probationary Period:

An administrative law judge receives a career appointment and is exempt from the probationary period requirements under 5 CFR Part 930 Subpart B.

Preferred Experience:

Highly qualified candidates typically possess experience leading complex adjudicatory organizations and driving organizational transformation, operational excellence, and workforce engagement.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure

HHS inspires public confidence by maintaining high ethical principles, and all Federal Government employees are subject to the conflict-of-interest statutes and regulations, including the Standards of Ethical Conduct, that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521 also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the position, annually thereafter, and upon termination of employment.

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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.

Benefits

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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.

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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.