Direct Hire Public Notice - Project Engineer (RIDP)

Summary

Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is a hiring authority granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to address critical hiring needs or severe candidate shortages. Please read this Public Notice carefully before applying. Your application goes to a resume database and may be used during the notice period. U.S. citizenship is required. Direct hiring authority for the 0801 series is being used to fill this position.

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; the selectee/s 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 R1 office in King of Prussia, PA, the R2 office in Atlanta, GA, the R3 office in Naperville, IL or the R4 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 the offices listed above to a Resident Inspector position at one of the Resident Inspector Offices. 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. NOTE THAT THE TOUR LENGTH FOR A RESIDENT INSPECTOR AT A SINGLE SITE IS LIMITED TO TEN (10) 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 calculated as a percentage of the employee's total pay at the time of the qualifying assignment. Dependent upon the location of the resident site, the percentage may be 15%-25% or 30%-50%. 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.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this public notice and before placement in the position. 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. 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 Security clearance level required is "LH". This position requires signing a Mobility Agreement. Qualification as an NRC inspector is expected within two years. Position is not subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure or Security Ownership restriction reporting. 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 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: 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 concise 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 CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Evaluations

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 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 concise resume. Applicants MAY BE periodically referred to Selecting Officials during the open period, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office.

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.

How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 02/01/2027. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093859. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. 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) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Other 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 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 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) 415-5888 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 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.