HomeAbout NRCCareer OpportunitiesOpportunitiesCareer PathsExplore Careers at NRC

# Senior Reactor Analyst

        - All their activities are based upon risk insights and a risk-informed performance-based philosophy.
        - Reactor Analysts look for weaknesses in nuclear facility licensee performance related to risk significance.
        - They evaluate and analyze licensee events, any abnormal conditions and day-to-day practices of licensees to understand risk probability.
        - Their reports of issues contribute to the prioritization of inspection efforts.
        - They conduct on-site reviews of nuclear plant safety systems, determine whether safety systems and modifications to these systems are performing as designed.
        - Their participation in meetings and discussions about industry codes and standards contribute to changes in regulations that include NRC perspectives.

#### Skill set consistently found in this position

                      - ​Incumbents are skilled analysts and technical evaluators.
                      - They have extensive knowledge of probabilistic risk assessment as it relates to reliability and risk analysis in nuclear facilities regarding their design, fabrication, construction, maintenance and operation.
                      - They have a knowledge of the principles, theories and practices found in the fields of engineering or physical science gained through education or experience or some combination of both.
                      - Incumbents are knowledgeable of all aspects of the NRC inspection program, which enables them to evaluate and assess whether the program is accomplishing its goals.
                      - Incumbents are skilled in dealing with controversial situations involving licensee’s compliance that must be handled with tact and diplomacy.
                      - Incumbents have the ability to identify when additional information of a technical or regulatory nature is needed to make the recommendations necessary to mitigate complex safety concerns.
                      - They are effective communicators with superb verbal and written delivery skills, especially when presenting complex information in an understandable manner to NRC leadership and outside stakeholders.
                      - Because they are often required to assume leadership roles, they are skilled planners, are well organized and have the ability to direct projects and manage people, often serving as mentors to junior staff members.

#### Career level of this position

#### Major duties and responsibilities

                      - ​Functions as the senior-level professional authority for risk and probabilistic risk assessment related issues involving inspections and safety management within nuclear reactor facilities
                      - Oversees projects and participates in inspections at facilities acting in a project leadership or consulting role
                      - Trains technical staff and guides their efforts during inspections or as they are included in technical reviews of inspection reports
                      - Contributes advice and guidance as an expert to risk management items across the agency and with external industry or other public organizations
                      - Uses quantitative analysis of technical data and reviews regulations and laws to grasp issues, draw conclusions and make recommendations to solve problems or present alternative strategies for management action
                      - Often consults with experts having different technical knowledges to best represent the NRC’s position during meetings, hearings, in written reports and in written and oral responses to stakeholders and to representatives of other federal, state and local agencies
                      - Plans, coordinates and leads team efforts to evaluate technical findings and reach conclusions so that actions can be taken by management to resolve issues involving safety of operations and overall risk significance
                      - Advises agency management at both headquarters and regional office levels
                      - Performs evaluations of events assessing risk-related issues with potential negative safety impact on people and the environment
                      - Supports assessments of vendor and reactor inspections to assure compliance and safe operation of nuclear facilities
                      - Prepares studies and reports
                      - Presents problem-solving alternatives to risk of safe operating environments
                      - Functions as team lead or project manager, developing work schedules and monitoring progress
                      - Provides guidance to technical staff
                      - Serves as agency SME and technical representative interacting with officials of organizations in areas related to probabilistic risk assessment
                      - Represents the agency at public hearings where risk assessment topics are to be discussed
                      - Participates as a technical expert in conferences and seminars
                      - Conducts on-site inspections to assess technical issues that negatively impact the safety systems of nuclear plants
                      - Assists in the resolution of allegations, including conducting investigations, interviewing key personnel and offering recommendations, alternatives and conclusions concerning the safe operation of facilities

#### Locations

                      - ​Headquarters—Offices/Divisions, Rockville, MD
                      - Regions—King of Prussia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Lisle, IL; Arlington, TX

#### Qualities contributing to success in the role

                      - ​Intellectual curiosity
                      - Planning ability
                      - Research ability
                      - Analytical and evaluative abilities
                      - Strong organizational skills
                      - Attention to detail
                      - Ability to self-manage
                      - Ability to manage the work of other technical staff
                      - Ability to lead project teams and manage and mentor junior staff
                      - Effective listening ability
                      - Oral and written communication skills to present complex technical informational   
                      - Interpersonal skill at all levels
                      - Knowledge of theory, principles and practices associated with probabilistic risk assessment matters, including those associated with nuclear facility design, fabrication, construction, maintenance and operation
                      - Knowledge of the general educational field of engineering or physical science,      including the practical knowledge of the same
                      - Knowledge of the NRC inspection program for operating power reactors
                      - Knowledge of agency policies, rules and regulations relative to safe operation of facilities

#### Route to or from this position

                      - Resident Inspector
                      - Senior Resident Inspector
                      - Engineer
                      - Physical Scientist

Current NRC Vacancies

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, March 14, 2022

Section Navigation

#### Navigation

          - Administrative Assistant
          - Budget Analyst
          - Contract Specialist
          - Emergency Preparedness Specialist
          - Enforcement Specialist
          - Environmental Scientist
          - Government Information Specialist
          - Health Physicist
          - Reliability and Risk Analyst
          - Senior Reactor Analyst

#### Spotlight

#### Choose a Section

                - The Commission
                - License Renewal Generic Environmental Review
                - Job Openings
                - Palisades Restart
                - Environmental Justice 
                - Pilgrim Water Releases
                - Monticello Tritium Issue
                - International Strategy 2021-2025
                - Tribal Liaison Program
                - MAP-X
                - Transformation at the NRC - Updated
                - OIG Hotline
                - Rulemaking Activity
                - Commission Documents
                - Advanced Reactors
                - Nuclear Security
                - Strategic Plan

Page Last Reviewed/Updated Monday, March 14, 2022