Operations Engineer

Summary This position is located in the Division of Operating Reactor Safety, Operations Branch, in Region II, Atlanta, GA. The supervisor is Matt Endress, Branch Chief. This position is in the Bargaining Unit with the National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 208.  This position requires up to 40% travel. This position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is not subject to the security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Learn more about this agency Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship Required Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires. This is a Drug Testing position. 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. Selectees are required to serve a trial period to assess their overall fitness and qualifications for continued employment. The trial period for new employees is two years. New employees who are preference eligible veterans serve a one-year trial period. Qualifications In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level, GG-12, in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Generally, to meet this level of experience, you would need 3-5 years of post-degree specialized experience. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as work experience applying any of a variety of relevant professional engineering disciplines (e.g., nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical) in the industry of commercial or military nuclear power.  Qualification as a licensed operator, experience in naval nuclear operations, or shipyard operations is preferred.  Such experience must have provided you with the full range of knowledge, skills and abilities identified for what is considered an “Ideal Candidate” for this 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.  The NRC encourages applicants to provide extensive job experience details in your resume.  Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of reactor engineering.  (Describe specific education, training and experience in a position; i.e., licensed operations, certified operator, licensed operator trainer, which has provided you with knowledge and understanding of the principles, theories and practices in reactor engineering.  Describe how you have applied this knowledge and for what purposes.  Recency of experience will be considered for this rating factor.) Knowledge of nuclear power plant systems, procedures and integrated facility operations based on reactor operation or inspection experience at operating reactor facilities.  (Describe specific education, training and experience which has provided you with the knowledge and understanding of the areas listed above.  Describe how you have applied this knowledge and for what purposes.  Recency of experience will be considered for this rating factor.) Demonstrated ability to apply regulations, regulatory guides and industry standards, reactor and operator licensing guidelines and procedures, and reactor operation, inspection and assessment techniques.  (Describe specific experience, education, training, and accomplishments demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities in reactor facility and licensed operator regulations.  Examples could include specific training and/or experience as a senior reactor operator; licensed operator instructor; NRC senior resident inspector, resident inspector or operator examiner, etc.) Demonstrated ability to present technical information both orally and in writing.  (Describe the kinds of presentations you have made, to whom and for what purpose.  Describe the type of original writing you routinely perform, and the most difficult writing assignments you have had.  Describe the various levels of individuals with whom you interact, and for what purposes.  What techniques do you use to develop effective working relationships and to negotiate?) Education To qualify for these positions, you must meet BOTH basic education/professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering positions at all grade levels AND the specialized experience requirements outlined above no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.   Candidates for Federal Government professional engineering positions must meet certain basic professional knowledge requirements. Generally these knowledge requirements are met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering discipline (e.g., mechanical, metallurgical, materials, nuclear, structural, chemical, electrical) from a school of engineering with at least one professional engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). However, if you do not possess such a professional engineering degree, you may still satisfy the professional knowledge requirements if you have current Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in one of the relevant disciplines from any U.S. State or Territory; or if you successfully passed an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) written examination administered by a State Board of Engineering Examiners; or if you have either a related professional degree or at least 60 semester hours of specified engineering-related college courses COMBINED WITH at least a year of professional engineering work experience performed under professional engineer supervision and guidance. 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 are described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Operating Manual which may be accessed at the following website:  https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf Note: It is your responsibility to furnish documentation that you meet the basic education and professional knowledge requirements; in the absence of such documentation, you will be rated not qualified. (See the Application Procedures section several paragraphs below for further information.) Additional information The duty location of this position is Atlanta, GA. 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. 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 [email protected]. 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. Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement. Read more Benefits 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 window Learn more about federal benefits. As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including: comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Long Term Care Insurance; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k)  (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits.  This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees.  https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits Review our benefits 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.