Direct Hire Public Notice - Project Engineer (RIDP)

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.

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.

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.