Senior Project Manager (Non-Power) Job in Rockville, MD

Vacancy No. NRR/DANU-2025-0006 Department Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Salary $167,603.00 to $195,200.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/30/2024 Close Date 1/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Rockville, MD


Summary

This position is located in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Division of Advanced Reactors and NPUF (DANU), Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing (UNPL). The supervisor is Holly Cruz.

These positions are Bargaining Unit with the National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 208. These positions are subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

The successful candidate will serve as a Senior Project Manager and will provide leadership and expertise in support of licensing NRC-licensed Non-Power Production or Utilizations Facilities (NPUFs)

Additional duties include but are not limited to:

  • Serves as project manager for one or multiple projects or liaison relationships involving applicants, licensees, one or more industry groups, owner groups, or vendors, as well as agency stakeholder. Independently manages and resolves unusual or highly complex policy issues, technical problems and regulatory/licensing related issues that may include complicated and precedent-setting tasks.
  • Serves as a divisional expert on NRR licensing procedures, protocol, and policy. Provides assistance and guidance to other project managers in the division or branch on resolution of complex policy and technical issues and process improvements. Serves as a mentor and coach to the staff.  Interacts with multiple audiences, especially junior and less experienced staff, to transfer professional experience and knowledge of the organization's mission.
  • Independently manages, coordinates, and performs safety reviews of licensing actions. Determines requirements for additional information, studies, reviews and documentation. Recommends agency action for licensing actions consistent with NRC policies and regulations, precedents, safety evaluations, environmental reports, and other documentation. Independently manages resolution of unique, first-of-a-kind policy and technical issues identified in the review.
  • Independently identifies significant policy issues, develops resolutions, and provides regulatorily accurate and technically sound recommendations to senior management for resolution.
  • Prepares work requests and integrates technical inputs into a single safety evaluation. Ensures that actions are completed within prescribed time periods in accordance with office goals and objectives. Assists in the resolution of inconsistencies and differences of opinion among NRR staff, applicants, licensees, or vendors.
  • Prepares safety evaluations, public notices, routine correspondence, etc., for final processing by administrative staff. In response to requests from licensees, industry groups, owner's groups, or vendors, manages, coordinates, and routinely performs safety reviews of applications for review and endorsement of Topical Reports, Task Interface Agreements, licenses, permits, and changes to the technical specifications.
  • Maintains liaison, and controls the flow of information, between applicants, licensees, industry groups, owner's groups, or vendors representatives and staff technical organizations. Schedules, participates in, and chairs meetings with licensees, industry groups, owner's groups, or vendors, the NRC staff, representatives of other government offices, and agency stakeholders.

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.

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:

1. Knowledge of NRC requirements, policies, practices, and programs applicable to commercial light-water nuclear power reactors, advanced reactors, non-power reactors, or other similar regulated entities. (Describe your experience and accomplishments regarding the depth and breadth of your knowledge of NRC requirements, policies, practices, and programs applicable to commercial nuclear power reactors.  These examples should include experience in areas such as licensing, inspection, enforcement, technical review, etc.  Include multiple examples of where you led or had a key role in applying your NRC knowledge in significant, complex situations.)

2. Ability to prioritize, plan, schedule, manage, and complete the review of technical and policy issues affecting licensing and related activities of commercial light-water nuclear power reactors, advanced reactors, non-power reactors, or other similar regulated entities. (Describe your experience managing significant, unique, controversial, or complex projects related to the licensing and policy issues of commercial nuclear reactors, advanced reactors, non-power reactors, or other similar regulated entities. Discuss examples of where you led significant, complex licensing, rulemaking or guidance development projects.  For each example, discuss the challenge of the project, context, your specific role and the actions you took, and the results, including the outcome and the impact on the design, licensing, operation, and/or regulation of these types of facilities.)

3. Ability to lead risk-informed decision-making and/or innovation and transformation related to the licensing, oversight, or policy issues related to commercial light-water nuclear power reactors, advanced reactors, non-power reactors, or other similar regulated entities. (Describe your experience and accomplishments to leading change related to risk-informed decision-making and/or innovation and transformation.  Discuss examples of where you led or had a lead role in significant, complex projects.  For each example, discuss the challenge, context, the actions you took, and the results, including the outcome and the impact on the organization.)

4. Ability to communicate technical and policy issues, both orally and in writing. (Describe specific experience, training, and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to effectively communicate technical and policy issues. Describe your ability to prepare written documents such as licensing actions, inspection reports, technical information proposals, significant briefings, and public communications. Provide at least three specific examples for both written and oral communication with particular focus on coordinating integrated team reviews, risk-informed decision making, leading change, and conducting meetings with diverse stakeholders and management. Be sure to describe the audience, the nature and complexity of the communication, and the outcome of such communication. Be sure to specify with whom you communicated.)

5. Ability to negotiate technical positions and resolve differing technical views to reach consensus and to establish effective working relationships with various audiences. (Describe specific experience that demonstrates your ability to resolve technical differences to reach consensus on technical issues. Discuss examples of where you led or had a lead role in resolving differences to reach consensus in significant, complex situations.  Describe your experience in establishing effective working relationships with executives as various levels, supervisors, subordinates, peers, vendors, professional associations, the public, and government and industry officials.  Describe challenges you encountered in working relationships and how you utilized your interpersonal skills to resolved them.  For each example, discuss the challenge, context, the actions you took, and the results, including the outcome and the impact on the organization.)

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as experience in the application of the principles, theories, and practices of engineering or science, with thorough knowledge of nuclear engineering concepts, radiation protection, reactor physics, and/or reactor systems analysis. General knowledge of the principal features of nuclear facilities that may affect the sites environment and the nature of the effects. Expertise in project management, as evidenced by completion of the project manager qualification program or prior experience managing complex projects or activities. 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.

Education

Qualification for 0801 series:

Basic Requirements:

  1. 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

  1. 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:
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.)

More detailed information about these alternatives 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/general-engineering-series-0801.

GG-1301, (General Physical Science Series):

Basic requirements:

  • Degree: 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

  • Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A 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 duty location of this position is Rockville, Maryland. In general, employees are expected to be in the office at a minimum of 4 days per pay period.  Telework schedules, including full-time telework, 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.

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; 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.

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.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

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 and a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action).

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.  

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/.

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.

How to Apply

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.

Agency contact information

Erica M Mosley-Ferebee
Phone
301-415-1577
TDD
240-428-3217
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
erica.mosley-ferebee@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."


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


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