Duties

Summary

These positions are located in the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response (NSIR), Division of Preparedness and Response (DPR), Operations Branch (OB). The supervisor for these positions is Silas Kennedy, Branch Chief, Operations Branch. These positions are in the Bargaining Unit, and shift work is required .

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Responsibilities

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.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - These positions may require occasional travel, approximately 10% or less of duty time.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

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

''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.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience should be addressed in your resume and your answer to the vacancy questions.

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Q Access Authorization

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

List of supplemental material that may be applicable:

If you are a NRC employee you are required to submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available. You may do so either electronically, following the instructions below (preferred method), or by sending one copy by e-mail to Dariele.Taswell@nrc.gov

If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.

If you are a Veteran claiming 5-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof of eligibility. If you are a Veteran claiming 10-point Veterans' Preference, you must submit a SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof required by that form. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at https://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

If you are applying under the Schedule A Hiring Authority and wish to be considered you must supply supporting documentation. Documentation of disability is required, i.e., Schedule A Letter. Such documentation is used to verify that the individual being hired is indeed a person with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. This documentation must be provided to the hiring agency at the time of application, before an individual can be hired. Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. You may refer to the following link to view Proof of Disability Documentation (https://www.opm.gov/faqs/QA.aspx?fid=de14aff4-4f77-4e17-afaa-fa109430fc7b&pid=a79f6a77-248f-47bc-80e6-ce9bd40607a2)

If you are applying for a position that requires a college degree, you must submit your College Transcripts.

All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement. You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:

1. Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or

2. use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer. The following types of documents can be uploaded: .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc; or

3. use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax it, along with your supplemental documents to 1-571-258-4052.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.