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The NRC utilizes Direct Hire Authority to fill vacancies in a variety of engineering & physical science occupations. This vacancy is a REPOSITORY of applications. Applications MAY BE periodically referred to hiring managers both during the open period and after the closing date. Because of the large number of applications anticipated, applicants' status will not be updated.
These positions may be Bargaining or Non-Bargaining Unit with the National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 208.
Learn more about this agency10/11/2024 to 12/07/2024
$82,764 - $191,900 per year
GG 11 - 15
Few vacancies in the following location:
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Travel varies by position.
Yes—Travel expenses associated with interview and/or relocation expenses associated with job offer may be paid to the extent allowed by Federal Travel Regulations.
Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
Excepted
Contigent - Promotion potential will be based on the position to which appointed. Salaries reflected on this vacancy announcement are based on the Washington, DC duty station.
No
Yes
ALL OFC-2025-0009
813885300
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
Current excepted service federal employees.
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.
Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration. You are applying to a resume database. Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained and may be used at any time during or after the open period of this Public Notice. U.S. Citizenship is REQUIRED. DHA is not permitted for internal NRC promotion actions.
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.
These positions may be subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and/or security ownership restriction reporting requirements.
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
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. Please indicate in your resume and/or optional cover letter how you meet the qualifications for this position.
Qualification for All Professional Engineering 0800 Series:
Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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
B. 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 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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
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 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.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a highly competitive vacancy with a limited number of openings available. When a need exists, applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Applications will be rated based on the information provided in the resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine 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.
If selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly by a hiring manager via the contact information you provided in your application. Applicants should not expect to receive additional status updates.
YOU WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THESE POSITIONS IF YOU LEAVE ANY OF THE VACANCY QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.
List of supplemental material that may be applicable:
Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
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 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.
You must provide a copy of your UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT with your application by the closing date of the announcement. If you fail to submit transcripts with your application by the closing date you will be considered ineligible and will no longer be considered for this vacancy.
*** If all applicable required supplemental information is not included with your application you will be disqualified and will not receive further consideration.
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.
We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application for this position.
Please read the entire announcement. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.
The NRC requires that applicants submit resumes built using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool. The Resume Builder tool is activated upon selecting "Build New Resume" under the "Resumes" section of your USAJOBS account.
Resumes uploaded to your USAJOBS jobseeker account that have not been built using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool WILL NOT be accepted and you WILL NOT be allowed to further advance through the NRC application process.
To ensure you are using the correct resume type when applying to our vacancies, please make sure that the resume you are using during the application process is listed with a format type of "USAJOBS Resume" and a source type of "Built with USAJOBS Resume Builder. Verifying this information on your USAJOBS resume before applying will ensure the successful submission of your application to the NRC job vacancy.
Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.
You must answer any job specific vacancy questions. You will be rated based on your responses to any vacancy questions and especially the information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses to the vacancy questions, such as “significant experience” or “see resume” do not provide enough information and should not be used. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the vacancy questions unanswered.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
Applications will be reviewed only as needed and eligible candidates will be referred to the hiring managers for further consideration.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a highly competitive vacancy with a limited number of positions available. Applicants can expect to receive an email notification that their application was received and a second notification when all the positions have been filled.
IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW, you will be contacted directly by a hiring manager via the contact information you provided in your application.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, martial status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/813885300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked as one of the BEST Places to Work in the Federal Government. We've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance. Help guide our nation into the next generation of nuclear safety! Begin a challenging career with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission where you can be part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry and research. To find out more about the NRC, we invite you to visit us on the web at www.nrc.gov.
When a position is requested to be filled under the Direct Hire Authority, a list of applicants may be provided to management for review and possible selection.
You will not receive any notifications and your resume will not be reviewed for qualifications until a position is requested to be filled.
This Public Notice may be used to fill positions in other equivalent pay systems.
This public notice may be used to fill one or more vacancies at any time without notification.
Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to the grade level.
