Project Engineer (RIDP) - Direct Hire Notice for Regions I, II, III & IV Job

Vacancy No. ALL OFC-2024-0160 Department Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Salary $84,298.00 to $150,075.00 Grade 11 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/7/2024 Close Date 6/5/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Atlanta, GALisle, ILKing of Prussia, PAArlington, TX


Summary

These positions are being filled via Direct Hire Authority.

Positions located in the Divisions of Operating Reactor Safety in the following offices:
Region I - King of Prussia, PA,
Region II - Atlanta, GA,
Region III - Lisle, Illinois, and
Region IV - Arlington, TX

These positions are in the Bargaining Unit with National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 208.
This position is not subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements or Confidential Financial Disclosure.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform the full range of Project Engineer (Resident Inspector Development Program (RIDP)) duties.  Such duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Participating in formal classroom training and other developmental activities to gain full certification as an NRC Inspector. 
  • Participating in the assessment of licensee performance at nuclear facilities; you will perform direct inspections of licensee activities during operation phases. 
  • Planning, preparing, and performing in-depth inspections at assigned plant(s) during start-up, operation and decommissioning to ensure compliance with design specifications, and conditions of the operating license. 
  • Ensuring inspection program completion in accordance with schedules specified in the Inspection Manual or other official documents. 
  • Preparing and presenting inspection reports describing findings and conclusions regarding the licensee’s safety performance and conformance with NRC requirements, provisions of operating licenses, and applicable industry codes and standards.
  • Assisting the Branch Chief or Senior Project Engineer in the handling of allegations and tracking the status of allegations.

Selectees will be assigned to work in the Region I Office in King of Prussia, PA, the Region II Office in Atlanta, GA, the Region III Office in Lisle, IL or the Region IV Office in Arlington, TX based upon geographic preference indicated in their application. The selectees must become qualified through the NRC Inspection Manual Chapter (IMC) 1245 process within two years. Upon completion of training, developmental assignments, and Inspection Manual Chapter 1245 qualification process, selectees will be expected to seek reassignment from their regional office to a Resident Inspector position at one of the Resident Inspector Offices in their assigned Region. A list of the resident inspector offices in each region is included below.  To learn more about our locations, visit the NRC website at NRC Locations.

For additional information regarding the NRC Resident Inspector Program please view this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8G9teoMqz8

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • This is a Drug Testing position.
  • Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
  • This position requires signing a Mobility Agreement.
  • Qualification as an NRC inspector is expected within two years.
  • Security Clearance Level Required is "LH."

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.

Geographic mobility is a condition of employment for selection under this announcement and selectee must sign a Mobility Agreement. The Mobility Agreement will be furnished to selectee at the point of job offer and must be signed at the time the offer is accepted.

NOTE THAT THE TOUR LENGTH FOR A RESIDENT INSPECTOR AT A SINGLE SITE IS LIMITED TO SEVEN (7) YEARS BY COMMISSION POLICY.

Resident Office Locations Relocation Incentives: Provided the employee meets all relocation incentive eligibility requirements, at the time of a subsequent qualifying move to/between/from Resident Inspector positions, the employee may be eligible for a relocation incentive.  The relocation incentive is a one-time payment in the amount of the employee's total pay, including special salary rate and applicable locality adjustment for the grade and step held at the time of the qualifying assignment, multiplied by 15%, 20% or 30%, dependent upon the location of the resident site.

For a complete list of NRC resident office locations at the power reactor units regulated by the NRC, and their regional designation, please refer to this link:  Operating Power Reactor Units

Retention Incentives: Resident/senior resident inspectors may be eligible for the Resident Inspector Program Group Retention Incentive as approved on December 1, 2023. The amount of the retention incentive is 15 percent of adjusted basic pay, including any locality or special rate, to be paid annually and subject to annual review and approval. Payment will be initiated as a lump sum after completion of a service obligation period of 26 pay periods.

Qualifications

In addition to meeting the basic education requirements for professional engineering positions, as described above in the Education section, to qualify for this position at the advertised grade levels, you must meet the following:

For GG-11: Generally, two to three years of post bachelor's degree specialized experience, at least, one of which is equivalent to the GG-9 level OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D degree OR a Ph.D OR equivalent doctoral degree in the degree fields as described.  Combinations of education and experience may be acceptable.

For GG-12: Generally, four years of post bachelor's degree specialized experience or at least 2 years of post master's degree professional engineering experience, one year of which is equivalent to the GG-11 level, where you have applied relevant professional engineering disciplines; e.g. nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical.

For GG-13:  Generally, five+ years of post bachelor's degree specialized experience or at least 3+ years of post master's degree professional engineering experience, one year of which is equivalent to the GG-12 level, where you applied relevant professional engineering disciplines as identified above.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as experience that demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the principles, theories, and practices in the field of engineering. You must also have recent experience associated with applying any of a variety of relevant professional engineering disciplines (e.g., nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical).  Recent experience in the industry of commercial, government or military nuclear power is preferred.  You must also be familiar with nuclear industry standards, rules and regulations and be able to apply them.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

(1) Knowledge of the design features and operating characteristics of nuclear facilities by describing professional experience with reactor facilities, commercial, government, or military.  This experience may have been as a power plant operator, in a staff position in operations, or associated with plant operations.

(2) Demonstrated ability to evaluate activities and events, develop inspection findings, and evaluate adequacy of corrective actions.

(3) Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful approaches to problem solving and conflict resolution.

(4) Demonstrated ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing.

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.

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.  Regardless of the grade level of the vacancy, 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., nuclear, electrical, mechanical, metallurgical, structural, chemical) from a school of engineering with at least one professional engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). 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. licensure 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: 800 Professional Engineering Occupational Requirements

You must include an unofficial copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. 

Additional information

The duty locations of these positions are King of Prussia, PA, Atlanta, GA, Lisle, IL or Arlington, TX.  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.

Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

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:  FedsHireVets

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 windowLearn 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

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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Applications will be evaluated in the order in which they are received based upon the information provided in your resume and your responses to the vacancy questions to determine your qualification for these positions.  Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager(s) for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office.  Please keep in mind your resume is of key importance 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.  You must respond to all required vacancy questions.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

List of supplemental material that may be applicable:

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. This SF-50 should not be an award SF-50.

You must include an unofficial copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application.  If you fail to submit transcripts with your application you will be considered ineligible and will not receive further consideration.

All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement.  You have two 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

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.

How to Apply

We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position.

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.

NOTE: Your complete application includes your resume, your responses to any vacancy questions, and if necessary, documents which prove your eligibility to apply. 

To ensure all of the essential information is in your resume, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS online Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all of the required information and you organize it so we can associate the following information for each experience/position. If you fail to provide the required information and your college transcripts, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

  1. Job title
  2. Name of employer
  3. Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
  4. Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will prorate part-time employment in crediting experience.
  5. Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
  6. Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).

These positions have a positive education requirement. Therefore, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts indicating type of degree and major field of study.  Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications. 

You will be rated based on 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. 

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.

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, one of the Human Resources Specialists listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the one of the Human Resources Specialists during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.

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.

Agency contact information

Keisa D. Lankford

Phone

817-200-1551

TDD

240-428-3217

Fax

000-000-0000

Email

Keisa.Lankford@nrc.gov

Website

https://www.nrc.gov

Address

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Please Complete
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status."

Region I - Human Resources contact - Joanne Challman

Region II - Human Resources contact - Cindy Jackson

Region III - Human Resources contact -Dawn Jonsson

Region IV - Human Resources contact - Keisa Lankford


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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