Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all current Department of Energy employees on a career or career-conditional competitive service appointment. DOE employees participating in either the OPM or DOE Deferred Resignation Program (DRP) are not eligible to apply for this announcement. DRP participants are not considered active DOE employees because they have agreed to separate from the agency.

As a Nuclear Engineer, you will:

• Be responsible for providing technical expertise and oversight of operating contractor activities involving research, development, testing, and deployment of improved reactor cores, materials, and components, planning and execution of equipment upgrade projects.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in the development, procurement, and fabrication of nuclear fuel including oversight of the nuclear fuel vendor, review, evaluation, and appraisal of nuclear critically safety programs.
• Provide engineering advice, guidance, and assistance to program offices or site managers on the interpretation and application of technical requirements and policies.
• Participate in a technical advisory capacity and represent the interests and position of the office in meetings, panels, and conference with other federal agencies, state agencies, national laboratories, contractors, and/or other stakeholders to present briefings/speeches, evaluate and assess technical research and development reports and plans, and present issues, problems, impacts, and solutions.
• Provide oversight and supervise a small staff.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. See www.sss.gov.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final DOE Q level security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment may be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or pass the test. You will be subject to random testing.
• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• A one year probationary period may be required. Employees serving on probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time.
• Reinstated employees who returned to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probation will be required to complete a new probationary period.
• Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
• First time supervisors will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period. New supervisors are required to attend 80 hours of supervisory training, of which 40 hours must be completed during your first year as a supervisor.
• Your answers to the essay questions will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified in this announcement. Situational telework may be approved.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Qualifications

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS13 or NN-03 grade level or equivalent in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of advanced engineering concepts, practices, and principles of nuclear propulsion engineering sufficient to provide expert consultative technical and administrative requirements for the design, development, construction, operation, manufacturing and maintenance of nuclear reactor plant systems, components, and design.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear propulsion engineering aspects with ability to audit sophisticated and complex prime contractor reactor plant Instrumentation and Control system testing, validation, and verification programs for conformance to program functional design requirements.
3. Demonstrated detailed knowledge of, and ability to apply, engineering disciplines and quality assurance principles sufficient to oversee and evaluate contractor work programs and identify technical problems.
4. Ability to present briefings/speeches, influence other related federal agency plans and activities.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Your full resume will be made available to the hiring manager if you are referred.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF
AND IOR: All Professional Engineering Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment..

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: IOR: Professional and Scientific Positions:

• Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
• Employer's name and address
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Start and end dates including month, day and year (e.g. June 18 2007 to April 05 2008)
• Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The competencies for the Nuclear Engineer are:

• Nuclear Engineering
• Oral Communication
• Technical Competence
• Written Communication

All qualified Non-competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion and VEOA applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (08/26/2025) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12786616.