Duties

The successful candidate will serve as a Nuclear Systems Engineer or Nuclear Systems Scientist in the Division of Preparedness and Response (DPR), Operations Branch (OB). Provides expert advice and technical evaluation to Incident Response Operations (IRO) and regional office staffs involving issues associated with the activities of NRC licensees and their facilities.

Is assigned, as management determines based on Operations Officer staffing levels, time as the cognizant NRC technical representative in the continuously staffed NRC Operations Center. In this capacity, directly receives, assesses, and responds to notifications of emergencies or reportable events occurring at NRC licensed facilities, radiological transportation accidents and other radiological events.

The response includes notifications to appropriate NRC personnel and other government offices in accordance with established procedures; and timely safety assessment of the event after immediate response actions are completed.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position.
• Background investigation for a "Q" clearance is required for new hires
• SHIFT WORK IS REQUIRED WHEN FULFILLING OPERATIONS CENTER DUTIES.

To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the NRC will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. The NRC will request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.

''IMPORTANT NOTE" Selected candidates will be required to successfully complete training duties under instruction, formal classroom training, required NRC training and obtain certification as a Headquarters Operations Officer (HOO) and as a Headquarters Emergency Response Officer (HERO).

All HOOs and HEROs must:

--Successfully complete required HOO and HERO certification training program and required NRC training;

--Successfully complete HERO/HOO training duties under instruction;

--Successfully pass the HOO/HERO qualification board;

Candidates hired at Grade 13 will be eligible for a non-competitive promotion to Grade 14 upon successful completion of the HOO/HERO certification program and meeting other qualifications /eligibility requirements.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for these positions, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Demonstrate knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices in the general field of engineering or physical science with specific knowledge of nuclear reactor, fuel cycle, or materials facilities

Demonstrate knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of health physics and/or systems engineering and their application to emergency preparedness and response.

Demonstrate knowledge of NRC policies, plans, and practices in response to accidents at nuclear power plants, fuel cycle, or materials facilities.

Demonstrate ability to work under stressful situations.

Demonstrate ability to present technical information both orally and in writing.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: experience which demonstrates detailed knowledge of the operation and equipment related to nuclear power reactors including safety features, accident mitigation, and emergency response. Experience with direct responsibility for emergency communications involving complex technical issues and multiple organizations.

You must meet the qualifications for these positions by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate should be addressed in your resume and additional space provided for supplemental response.

Education

Basic requirement for General Engineer, GG-801: A professional engineering degree is required. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR a combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

Basic requirement for General Physical Science Series, GG-1301: A degree in Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics. OR a combination of education and experience. Education equivalent to one of the majors shown above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Additional information

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.

Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/

Selectee's 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.

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 wavier 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.

The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.