Senior Materials Engineer

Summary

These positions are located in the Office of Advanced Reactors, Division of Advanced Reactor Engineering, Advanced Reactor Engineering Branch 1, 3, and 4.

The supervisors are Alissa Neuhausen, Alec Neller and Travis Tate.

This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements.

This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

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Duties

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The successful candidate reviews highly complex and/or precedent setting materials engineering-related issues to evaluate applicant or licensee implementation of NRC regulations and requirements and to evaluate changes in existing licenses. Utilizes technical expertise in the area of materials engineering to perform operating experience reviews, support inspection and enforcement activities, and develop regulations and regulatory guidance. Utilizes leadership skills to train and organize, direct, and review the activities of junior staff. Provides specialized technical assistance and advice to NRC management and staff and communicates regarding highly complex and/or precedent setting materials engineering-related issues with internal and external stakeholders Such duties include but are not limited to:

• Reviews applicant or licensee submittals relative to regulatory requirements and guidance applying risk-informed decision making and performance-based principles where applicable.
• Reviews and prepares safety evaluation reports regarding design certification applications (Part 52), combined license applications (Part 52), construction permit applications (Part 50), operating license applications (Part 50) and risk-informed, technology-inclusive review approaches (Part 53).
• Reviews and prepares safety evaluation reports regarding highly complex and/or precedent setting license amendments, requests for relief, and exemptions from the regulations
• Reviews and prepares safety evaluation reports on highly complex and/or precedent setting industry topical reports to support generic licensing actions.
• Reviews safety evaluation reports and licensing documents prepared by other parts of OAR for technical adequacy.
• Prepares responses to 2.206 petitions, letters of inquiry from the public; state, federal and congressional representatives and other correspondence from outside the agency.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

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.

All information in your resume must be true and accurate.

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• This is a Drug Testing position
• Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  
  
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience that demonstrates a knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and/or evaluation of nuclear plant materials, components, structures, and/or facilities.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of the design, construction, operation, inspection, and evaluation of nuclear plant components, structures, and facilities to understand the value and impact of the requirements of proposed standards.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of NRC's regulations, principles and procedures, regulatory guides, and industry codes and standards applicable to the integrity of components and structures used in nuclear power plants and/or spent fuel storage facilities.
3. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and control complex engineering research projects.
4. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad range of audiences on technical issues, challenges, and resolutions.

A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria.

PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Education

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 Web site:

OPM Qualification Standards for 0800 Professional Engineering Positions

You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with agency policy.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within the agency.

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.

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 waiver 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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.

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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.