The Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) is an 18-month entry-level developmental program for outstanding individuals in engineering and physical science designed to provide a broad understanding of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) mission by focusing on skill development in various program areas across the agency. We are recruiting for the next cohort, which will commence in July 2026.
Summary
The Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) is an 18-month entry-level developmental program for outstanding individuals in engineering and physical science designed to provide a broad understanding of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) mission by focusing on skill development in various program areas across the agency. We are recruiting for the next cohort, which will commence in July 2026.
Yes—The positions advertised in this vacancy announcement are not approved for full-time remote or fixed telework. If selected, telework eligibility will be determined in accordance with Agency policy.
Travel Required
50% or less - Cohort members will travel to the NRC regions, to NRC facilities for site visits, and for training at the Technical Training Center in Tennessee during the NRAN Program.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—Travel expenses associated with interview and/or relocation expenses associated with job offer may be paid to the extent allowed by Federal Travel Regulation.
The NRC is accepting resumes from Recent Graduates of engineering and physical science to become part of the 2026 Nuclear Regulator Apprenticeship Network (NRAN) cohort. Recent Graduate is defined as an individual who obtained a qualifying associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctorate degree from a qualifying educational institution within the previous 2 years.
Actual duties will vary depending on placement in the engineering or scientific training and development track. The NRAN program is comprised of two phases. The initial training phase focuses on regulatory, technical, and organizational fundamentals, followed by the apprenticeship phase in the regions and headquarters program offices. 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 trainings. 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.
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.
Background investigation for a clearance is required for new hires.
This is a Drug Testing position.
Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.95
This announcement is intended for students majoring in engineering or physical science who are Recent Graduates to create the NRAN cohort which will commence in July 2026. A degree in engineering or physical science must be obtained between May 2024 and May 2026. A veteran who, due to military service, was precluded from applying within the 2-year eligibility period will have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon his/her release or (honorable) discharge from active duty, up to a maximum of 6 years from the date the individual completed the academic requirements.
It is your responsibility to furnish documentation that verifies you meet the basic education and professional knowledge requirements. In the absence of such documentation, you will be rated not qualified.
Selectees may be required to serve a trial period to assess their overall fitness and qualifications for continued employment. The trial period for new employees is two years. New employees who are preference eligible veterans serve a one-year trial period.
All information in your resume must be true and accurate.
Qualifications
You must meet basic education and professional knowledge requirements that apply to Federal engineering and physical sciences positions for the grade levels to which you are applying. This knowledge is met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering/physical science discipline from a school of engineering with at least one engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or by documenting how you meet the minimum OPM qualification standards for the 800 Occupational Series or 1301 Occupational Series
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.
Candidates must meet the qualifications for this position before placement in the position.
Education
The position has an education requirement.
GG-07
Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.
GG-09
Master's degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.
GG-11
Doctoral degree in an Engineering or Physical Science discipline, with at least a 2.95 overall GPA.
Transcripts
You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Transcript must include the Student Name, School Name, course titles, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average, courses currently in progress (if applicable), and 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 are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of credibility of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.
Applicants who do not submit acceptable transcripts by the closing date will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further. "Official" transcripts will be requested before the effective date of initial appointment. If official transcripts are not provided OR if official transcripts do not meet program eligibility requirements it may result in removal from the position.
Additional information
The duty location of this position is Rockville, MD. This position may be eligible for situational telework in accordance with the agency policy.
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 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) 287-0745 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Suitability and Investigation: Selectee's 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 waiver 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.
Drug Testing: 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.
Reasonable Accommodation: 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) 287-0739 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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.
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. https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/pay and https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The responses to any vacancy questions and information provided in the resume will be used to determine level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. Please ensure that your resume includes this information. Applications will be rated against criteria including:
When the application process is complete, you will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated in the order in which they are received based upon the information provided in your resume and your responses to the vacancy questions to determine your qualification for these positions. Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager(s) for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office. Please keep in mind your resume is of key importance for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. 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 thorough resume that directly relates to this position. You must also respond to all required vacancy questions.
PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE or EDUCATION.
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. https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/pay and https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits
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.
1. Current Resume:Please limit your resume to 2 pages. See below for *Additional Resume Information.
2. Responses to the vacancy assessment questions
3. College Transcript that includes the school name, major, and contains course titles, date of completion, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and courses currently in progress (if applicable). Diplomas do not provide the information needed for determining qualifications and will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. If you fail to submit a transcript with your application by the closing date, you will be considered ineligible and will not be considered. An unofficial transcript is acceptable at time of application, however an "official" transcript will be required prior to the start date to confirm eligibility.
In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim the following eligibilities:
NRC Employees: You must submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available.
Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility. This SF-50 should not be an award SF-50.
Veteran Preference Eligibles: You must submit DD-214 showing type of discharge/character of service (e.g. DD-214 Member 4 Copy); SF-15 Form; and related documentation such as a VA letter showing disability percentage. If currently on active duty, you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
Individuals with Disabilities: If you are applying under the Schedule A Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documentation (i.e., Schedule A Letter). You may refer to the following link for additional information. USAJOBS Help Center - Individuals with disabilities
All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
You will not be considered for the position if any supporting documentation is not received by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
*Additional Resume Information:
Your resume is crucial in our evaluation of your qualifications. Resumes should clearly demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities. Please limit your résumé to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, your resume will still be accepted, however only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine if the minimum qualifications for the position have been met. To ensure your resume contains all required information, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all the required information, and you organize it so we can associate the following information with each experience/position:
Job title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will pro-rate part-time employment in crediting experience.
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) or other inappropriate material on your resume or cover letter. If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application may be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter, links to social media such as LinkedIn, to determine your qualifications. Cover letters are optional.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application for this position.
Please read the entire announcement. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.
Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.
You must answer any job specific vacancy questions. You will be rated based on your responses to any vacancy questions and especially the information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses to the vacancy questions, such as “significant experience” or “see resume” do not provide enough information and should not be used. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the vacancy questions unanswered.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)). We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Attn: OCHCO/NRAN
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States
Next steps
Applications will be rated against criteria including:
The information provided in the resume and responses to any vacancy questions will be used to determine level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements.
Your application will be referred to the NRAN hiring managers if you are determined to be in the grouping of top candidates for the positions.
If selected for an interview for the NRAN cohort, you will be contacted directly via the contact information you provided in your application. Applicants who are not selected for the NRAN cohort may be referred to other hiring managers to fill entry-level positions in the offices/regions. All applicants will be notified when the vacancy selection period has expired.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status."
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
1. Current Resume:Please limit your resume to 2 pages. See below for *Additional Resume Information.
2. Responses to the vacancy assessment questions
3. College Transcript that includes the school name, major, and contains course titles, date of completion, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and courses currently in progress (if applicable). Diplomas do not provide the information needed for determining qualifications and will not be accepted in lieu of transcripts. If you fail to submit a transcript with your application by the closing date, you will be considered ineligible and will not be considered. An unofficial transcript is acceptable at time of application, however an "official" transcript will be required prior to the start date to confirm eligibility.
In addition to the above, you must submit the documents below if you claim the following eligibilities:
NRC Employees: You must submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available.
Current Federal Employees/Reinstatement Eligibles: You must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility. This SF-50 should not be an award SF-50.
Veteran Preference Eligibles: You must submit DD-214 showing type of discharge/character of service (e.g. DD-214 Member 4 Copy); SF-15 Form; and related documentation such as a VA letter showing disability percentage. If currently on active duty, you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.
Individuals with Disabilities: If you are applying under the Schedule A Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documentation (i.e., Schedule A Letter). You may refer to the following link for additional information. USAJOBS Help Center - Individuals with disabilities
All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English.
You will not be considered for the position if any supporting documentation is not received by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
*Additional Resume Information:
Your resume is crucial in our evaluation of your qualifications. Resumes should clearly demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and abilities. Please limit your résumé to 2 pages. If more than 2 pages are submitted, your resume will still be accepted, however only the first 2 pages will be reviewed to determine if the minimum qualifications for the position have been met. To ensure your resume contains all required information, we encourage you to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. If you choose to use your own resume, please ensure it contains all the required information, and you organize it so we can associate the following information with each experience/position:
Job title
Name of employer
Beginning and ending dates of employment (month/year) format
Hours worked per week. We will assume full-time unless otherwise stated. We will pro-rate part-time employment in crediting experience.
Detailed description of job duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities to include any supervisory/managerial responsibilities and number of staff supervised (if applicable).
Series and grade or equivalent (if a federal position).
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) or other inappropriate material on your resume or cover letter. If your resume contains prohibited information as listed above, your application may be determined ineligible, and you will not receive consideration for this position. We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter, links to social media such as LinkedIn, to determine your qualifications. Cover letters are optional.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application for this position.
Please read the entire announcement. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.
Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.
You must answer any job specific vacancy questions. You will be rated based on your responses to any vacancy questions and especially the information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses to the vacancy questions, such as “significant experience” or “see resume” do not provide enough information and should not be used. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the vacancy questions unanswered.
To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov.
Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position and substantiates your responses to the occupational questionnaire.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)). We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system. You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system. Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Attn: OCHCO/NRAN
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States
Next steps
Applications will be rated against criteria including:
The information provided in the resume and responses to any vacancy questions will be used to determine level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements.
Your application will be referred to the NRAN hiring managers if you are determined to be in the grouping of top candidates for the positions.
If selected for an interview for the NRAN cohort, you will be contacted directly via the contact information you provided in your application. Applicants who are not selected for the NRAN cohort may be referred to other hiring managers to fill entry-level positions in the offices/regions. All applicants will be notified when the vacancy selection period has expired.
You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJOBs and selecting "Application Status."
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
