Duties

As Senior Engineer (Technical Advisor), you will provide expert engineering and technical analysis, advice, and assistance on investigations, special evaluations, event inquiries, audits, and other Office of the Inspector General (OIG) work to determine if NRC is effectively accomplishing its regulatory responsibilities in protecting public health and safety in the civilian use of nuclear materials.

You will plan, initiate, conduct, and report on evaluations of programmatic audits, evaluations, or investigations of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) programs and functional areas that typically include a variety of engineering work processes carried out in diverse organizations and geographic locations. During each assignment, works in close coordination with the Assistant Inspector Generals, other OIG staff, appropriate NRC and DNFSB personnel, and other stakeholders.

Such duties include but are not limited to:

Serves as an expert for Audits and/or Investigations on engineering and technical matters, assists in the assessment and evaluation of NRC and DNFSB programs and operations that are intended to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities and reduce or eliminate risks to the health of the public.

Plans and conducts reviews of specific agency programs or systemic problem areas. On own initiative, identifies and proposes possible areas of concern that may warrant further study by OIG.

Regularly briefs OIG management to update them on the progress of assignments, identify potential problems and present viable solutions, and, as appropriate, recommend possible further actions.

Serves as a spokesperson on technical issues for the Office of Inspector General, as assigned.

Works effectively as a technical advisor and OIG technical expert team member by sharing information and accepting and providing constructive feedback.

Evaluates responses from NRC and DNFSB to determine compliance with OIG recommendations and prepares correspondence on recommended appropriate action by OIG on each NRC and DNFSB response.

Keeps abreast of current NRC and DNFSB technology and practices. Maintains continual awareness of changing policies, procedures or situations related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Participates in counterpart meetings with senior staff within the OIG and ensures that all work and work products are accomplished in a manner consistent with the policies, standards, and guidelines established by the Inspector General.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• The ability to pass a background investigation for a Q clearance.
• This is a drug tested position.
• The position is subject to NRC's security ownership restrictions.
• Subject to initial and annual confidential financial disclosure reporting.

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

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, 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:

Advanced knowledge of the engineering theories, principles, and practices related to the safe construction, operation, and shutdown of nuclear facilities, boiling water reactors (BWR) and pressurized water reactors (PWR), and the licensing and regulation of nuclear materials and related facilities.

Ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate potential nuclear safety hazards; identify and evaluate relevant equipment testing, radiological control, engineering, security, emergency preparedness, maintenance, and operational activities; and assess facility management quality assurance and administrative control programs.

Knowledge of the principles, theories, techniques, and practices of program management and program evaluation as applied in a complex technical environment.

Ability to prepare clear, accurate, concise, and logical, written reports that portray the facts, emphasize the significant details and substantiate all recommendations made. In addition to orally presenting information and technical materials in an effective, clear, and coherent manner to a wide range of audiences.

Demonstrated skill in effective interpersonal and leadership, mentoring less experienced personnel, and interacting with peers, management, and industry representatives to develop and/or recommend corrective actions to management for current and/or future audits and investigations.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Expert knowledge of the engineering theories, principles, and practices related to the safe construction, operation, and shutdown of nuclear facilities and the licensing and regulation of nuclear materials and related facilities.

Education

• Education requirements for all professional engineering positions
• All education must be accredited by an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation here: www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred.
• Special instructions for candidates with foreign education: Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in U.S. education programs. You must submit all necessary documents to a private U.S. credential evaluation service to interpret equivalency of your education against courses given in U.S. accredited colleges and universities. For further information visit: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

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.