Clarification from the agency

All NRC Employees are encouraged to apply. Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

As a Senior Reliability and Risk Analyst, the successful candidate will serve as a leading technical authority and senior-level professional staff member in charge of the most complex assignments associated with probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) related issues for new and operating reactors including development of policy and guidance, evaluations of applications for new designs and licensing actions, and analysis of plant operating performance using PRA techniques to evaluate safety risk. Such duties include but are not limited to:

1. Lead complex technical reviews and safety evaluations Serves as the technical lead for evaluating licensing applications and amendments using both deterministic and risk-informed approaches. Reviews radiological consequence analyses and PRA methodologies to ensure compliance with NRC regulations and safety standards. Prepares detailed safety evaluation reports in support of applications for reactors and licensing actions.
2. Conduct independent PRA and engineering analyses Conducts independent risk assessments and calculations to verify applicant or licensee submissions. Applies PRA techniques to evaluate safety risk and provides technical insights to inform licensing and policy decisions.
3. Evaluate accident mitigation systems and environmental impacts Assesses the performance of engineered safety features designed to prevent or mitigate radiological consequences. Evaluates the environmental impact of design basis and severe accidents to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
4. Develop and revise regulatory guidance and policy Develops and revises regulations, standard review plans, and regulatory guides. Prepares supporting documentation such as backfit analyses and statements of consideration to ensure alignment with NRC policy and risk-informed principles.
5. Provide expert consultation and mentorship Serves as a subject matter expert to NRC staff across multiple offices, providing authoritative advice on PRA. Mentors junior staff, contributes to knowledge management initiatives, and supports technical reviewers in their evaluations.
6. Represent NRC in public and interagency forums Presents technical positions at public meetings, hearings, and to advisory committees such as the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards and the Commission. Prepares responses to inquiries from Congress, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and the public.
7. Engage in national and international collaboration Participates in industry codes and standards activities to represent NRC perspectives and promote effective regulatory practices. Attends international meetings to gather and share information that enhances the safety of domestic facilities.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
• This is a Drug Testing position.

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level (GG-14) in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as well as meet the basic requirement listed in the Education section.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as: Experience which demonstrates comprehensive, expert, and detailed knowledge to perform independent reviews and analyses of the design and functional capability of the reactor systems and components, and the analytical methods proposed by reactor licensees or applicants to assure compliance with NRC regulations and other safety criteria derived from these regulations.  Experience with direct responsibility for performing radiological consequence analysis, and reliability and risk analysis involving complex technical issues and multiple organizations.  Experience with communicating the results of the analyses performed both orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

1. (Double Weighted) Demonstrated skill in applying the principles, theories, and practices of probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) in the assessment of complex nuclear facilities (e.g., operating commercial nuclear power reactors, new reactor designs, fuel cycle, etc.).

(EXAMPLE: Describe experience, education, and training which demonstrates your knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of engineering or physical science as it relates to the application of reliability and risk analysis, and/or severe accident analysis in nuclear power facility design, fabrication, construction, analysis, testing, maintenance and/or operations. Provide examples demonstrating your experience in the application of probabilistic risk analysis for nuclear power plants, other complex facilities (e.g., spent fuel analysis, dry case storage, small modular reactors, etc.), or PRA related voluntary consensus standards. Describe your accomplishments in areas such as Levels 1, 2, and 3 risk analyses; severe accident progression; low-power and shut down operations; fire safety; human reliability analysis; common cause failure; and external events including seismic, flooding and high winds.)

2. Ability to analyze complex regulatory or technical issues and to develop sound recommendations based on risk insights and new or first-of-a-kind solutions with a clear demonstration of knowledge of nuclear reactor structures, systems, component design, and general operating characteristics. 

 (EXAMPLE: Describe your experience and training with analyzing complex nuclear regulatory or technical issues and developing recommendations for resolution.  Examples should demonstrate your nuclear power plant experience related to the following: (1) engineering and analysis or inspection experience involving design, maintenance, or operation of nuclear power plant systems; (2) plant transient and accident analysis typical of or similar to SAR Chapter 15. Describe how you applied risk insights and risk informed performance-based philosophy to conduct analyses.  Describe examples of new or first-of-a-kind recommendations you have made and the outcomes.  Provide examples of your work as it relates to risk informed decision making. Describe your specific role and provide examples that reflect your technical ability and contribution). 

3. Ability to communicate information, ideas, and advice in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing, with colleagues, subordinates, executive management, ACRS, the Commission, members of the public, representatives of professional groups, or other Federal or State agencies.

(EXAMPLE: Describe specific experience, training and accomplishments which demonstrate your communication skills, both orally and in writing. Describe your ability to lead complex technical discussions and consolidate complex and diverse opinions into concise presentations, memoranda, letters, reports. Describe your ability to formulate balanced and well-founded recommendations. Describe oral and written presentations you have performed within your organization, including published technical documents you have authored. Describe presentations you have made to outside groups including professional organizations, advisory groups, the public, and/or Congress.)

4. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with management and staff, colleagues, and representatives of external organizations. Ability to build and sustain coalitions across organizations.

(EXAMPLES: Describe your specific experience, accomplishments, or training, which demonstrate your interpersonal skills.  Describe how you established effective work-relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and other government and industry officials and coordinated and led meetings.  Describe situations where it was necessary for you to use tact, diplomacy, and negotiation skills to achieve cooperation or consensus when interacting with staff, management, or external stakeholders.  Detail experience and your role in successful team work, team building, coalition building, or small group dynamics. Describe how your interpersonal skills have played a role in the understanding or resolution of issues.  Provide examples of leading, mentoring, or training, others. Describe successful interactions with internal and external stakeholders, industry contacts, international contacts, or internal agency contacts at various levels.  Include several examples demonstrating the above.)

How you will be evaluated

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

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements.  You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your 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 resume that directly relates to this position.