Duties

Reactor Systems Engineers at the NRC have responsibilities that include 1) serving as reviewers or researchers in the area of nuclear power plant reactor systems, which includes primary systems, containment systems, reactor core or fuel design, analytical codes and numerical methods used to evaluate reactor systems, evaluations of operational performance, evaluations of source term and severe accident analyses, evaluation of design basis event analyses, and research related to these areas; 2) performing analyses or evaluating analytical results or the results of regulatory research related to performance, design and operation of operating reactors, research reactors, new lightwater or non-lightwater reactors, non-power production and utilization facilities and nuclear fuel designs; supporting more senior engineers or project leaders in the resolution of technical issues, research and licensing problems; 3) providing technical assistance and advice relating to the reactor safety aspects of nuclear power plants.

Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to the grade level of the position.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires
• These are Drug Testing positions

DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: These positions are being filled using Direct-Hire Authority.

All positions, dependent upon grade levels being filled, require some level of related experience or education. (Job family series included for this vacancy are listed below)

To qualify for GG-11: Doctorate degree (PhD) in or related to an Engineering discipline OR Masters Degree and one year of post degree work experience OR Bachelors degree and two years of post degree work experience in or related to Engineering.

GG-12 and above: Requires 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.

Candidates may qualify based on a combination of Education and Experience: Candidates may meet the basic qualification requirements for engineer by having at least a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate professional engineering c field prior to appointment and, dependent on the grade level of the position, one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, or equivalent, in an occupation listed or a closely related occupation performing similar duties.

You must meet the qualifications for this position no later than 30 days after the date you submit your application and before placement in the position.

JOB FAMILY SERIES INCLUDED IN THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT:

801 Professional Engineering Occupational Requirements

Qualifications

The NRC will accept applications for this vacancy for ONLY the following occupational series: General Engineering- 0801.

The ideal candidate for these positions must demonstrate:

1) Demonstrated capacity to apply the theories, principles, and practices in the field of reactor systems, operation and nuclear fuel sufficient to technically and analytically review, research or evaluate design, operation, and performance for a variety of operating reactors, research reactors, new lightwater or non-lightwater reactors, and non-power production and utilization facilities and nuclear fuel designs;

2) Demonstrated ability in formulating sound technical judgements, making technical, policy or research recommendations, and finding solutions to unique first of a kind challenges regarding issues pertaining to event evaluation, operating experience and numerical modeling in the areas of core physics, fuel behavior, reactivity control systems, containment systems and core thermal-hydraulic performance;

3)Ability to plan, direct, coordinate, and manage complex, highly technical projects;

4) Ability to present technical information both orally and in writing; and

5) Ability to develop and implement successful approaches to problem solving and conflict resolution.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as experience technically and analytically reviewing, researching or evaluating design, operation, and performance of reactor systems and nuclear fuel designs for nuclear reactors. One year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, or equivalent, in an occupation listed or a closely related occupation performing similar duties is required.

Please indicate in your resume and/or optional cover letter how you meet the qualifications for this position.

Education

You must meet basic education and professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering positions for the grade levels to which you are applying. This knowledge is met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering discipline from a school of engineering with at least one engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) (or by documenting how you meet the minimum OPM qualification standards for the 801 Occupational Series ) in addition to the specialized experience.

Note: Engineering technology degrees are not generally qualifying unless supplemented by other evidence of the individual's professional knowledge (e.g., current P.E. license or EIT examination results, as discussed above). More detailed information about these alternatives for meeting the knowledge requirements for Federal professional engineering jobs is described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards.

Note: It is your responsibility to furnish documentation that verifies you meet the basic education and professional knowledge requirements; in the absence of such documentation, you would be rated not qualified.

Additional information

In general, employees are expected to be in the office 4 days per pay period. Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable.

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.

The NRC is a zero tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use. Individuals selected for these positions will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing.

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 287-0745 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Applications MAY BE periodically referred to Selecting Officials both during the open period and for up to 90 days after the closing date of this vacancy. You MAY BE referred to selecting officials based on your UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS and NRC's NEEDS.

Selectees 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 need favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks. If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication are 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.