Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proud to be ranked among the best places to work for compensation, work-life balance, and performance for mid-sized agencies 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.

The NRC is accepting resumes NOW through October 30, 2023 (APPLY EARLY) from entry-level engineers and scientists who will be graduating between April 2024 - June 2024 to become part of the 2024 Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) cohort. Non-selectees may be referred to hiring officials at NRC Headquarters and Regional Offices for consideration for entry-level engineering and science opportunities.

The Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) is an 18-month entry-level agency program designed to develop regulators who have a broad understanding of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) mission by focusing on skill development in various program areas across the agency. The cohort will commence in late June 2024.

Duties:

NRC employees have responsibilities that include: protecting public health and safety; protecting the environment; protecting and safeguarding nuclear materials and plants in the interest of national security; and assuring conformity with antitrust laws. Agency employees perform these functions through: standards-setting and rulemaking, technical reviews and studies; conducting public hearings; issuance of authorizations, permits, and licenses; inspection, investigation, and enforcement; evaluation of operating experience; and confirmatory research.

The NRAN program is comprised of two phases. Phase I focuses on regulatory, technical, and organizational fundamentals, followed by Phase II, the apprenticeship phase. Each apprenticeship is designed towards gaining a variety of skills, competencies, and position experience. At the end of the program, cohort members are reassigned into positions in the program offices and regions that have been identified to meet the skill needs of the agency.

Phase I is a foundational knowledge phase. The programming is executed to the members together as one cohort. This phase focuses on agency and program orientation, cohort development, and training on regulatory fundamentals, technical fundamentals, organization knowledge, and NRC values and culture. The length may vary, but it is generally 10 – 15 weeks in duration. During Phase I, the cohort may have opportunities to travel to the regions, site visits, and training at the NRC's Technical Training Center in Chattanooga, TN, as arranged through the program.

Phase II is the apprenticeship phase. In this phase, NRAN members typically engage in (3) 5-month apprenticeships where they gain hands-on experience in regulatory decision-making positions. It is generally expected that one of the apprenticeships be based in a regional office. The expected activities and accomplishments for each apprenticeship are discussed in advance among the NRAN member, apprenticeship supervisor from the receiving office or region, and NRAN Branch Chief and documented in a signed apprenticeship agreement. Changes in the agreement must be mutually agreed-upon by the three signing parties. This phase may include designated technical training. The NRAN member will provide a close-out memorandum to the apprenticeship supervisor(s) and NRAN Branch Chief accounting for activities completed or basis for non-completion.

Qualifications:

You must meet basic education and professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering and sciences positions for the grade levels to which you are applying (See grade levels below). This knowledge is met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering/science discipline from a school of engineering with at least one engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) prior to appointment.

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 and sciences jobs is described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards.

Education

The position has an education requirement.

GG-07 Grade Level
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.

GG-09 Grade Level
Master's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.

GG-11 Grade Level
Doctoral degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.

How to Apply

Access NRC employment opportunities at USAJOBS the Federal Government’s official employment site at: USAJOB.gov where this position will be posted. Find the Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN), GG-0801 & 1301- 7/9/11 FPL 13 (ALL OFC-2023-0222) announcement. Follow the instructions for establishing a USAJOBS account, creating a resume and uploading any required documents.

Apply online by October 30, 2023.

ALL applicants must submit:

1. Current Resume

2. Responses to the vacancy assessment online questions

3. College Transcript You must provide a copy of your "Unofficial" transcript for the degree that will be conferred between April 2024 - June 2024 by the closing date of the vacancy announcement that notes the school you are attending, your major, and contains course titles, date of completion, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and courses currently in progress. If you fail to submit transcripts with your application by the closing date, you will be considered ineligible and will no longer be considered. "Official" transcripts will be requested before the effective date of initial appointment.

If you are viewing this opportunity after October 30th please visit NRC’s website and discover additional opportunities for which you might be interested.