U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Region I

Entry Level Inspector

Qualification Program

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he U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The mission of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is to

ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety, to promote the

common defense and security, and to protect the environment in the use

of nuclear materials in the United States. The Commission has five

members, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, one of

whom is designated by the President to serve as Chairman.

The NRC is responsible for licensing and regulating nuclear facilities and

materials and for conducting research to support the licensing and regulatory process, as mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended,

the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, and the Nuclear

Nonproliferation Act of 1978, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and other applicable statutes.

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REGION IV REGION III

REGION I

REGION II

Regional Office

Technical Training Center

Headquarters

Note: Alaska and Hawaii are

included in Region IV.
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The NRC is also responsible for protecting and safeguarding materials and

plants in the interest of national security and assuring conformity with

antitrust laws.

The agency sets standards and makes rules; does technical reviews and

studies; holds public hearings; issues authorizations, permits, and licenses;

inspects and investigates NRC-licensed nuclear facilities and enforces

sanctions for violations; evaluates the operating experience of nuclear

facilities; and conducts confirmatory research. These responsibilities are

shared by NRC’s three principal offices (the so-called program offices):

the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Office of Nuclear Material

Safety and Safeguards, and the Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.

The Executive Director of Operations, reporting to the Commission,

directs the program offices.

The NRC Headquarters is located in Rockville, Md., in the metropolitan

Washington, D.C., area. NRC Regional Offices, in Pennsylvania, Georgia,

Illinois, and Texas also perform licensing and regulatory oversight activities.

he Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

The Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) is responsible for

ensuring the public health and safety by licensing, regulating and inspecting all nuclear power reactor facilities in the United States. NRR also

oversees the licensing and inspection of manufacturing, production, and

utilization facilities (except facilities reprocessing fuel and performing

isotopic fuel enrichment), and verifies the receipt, possession, and ownership of source, byproduct and special nuclear material used or produced at

facilities licensed under Part 50 of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR Part 50). NRR develops policy and inspection guidance

for programs assigned to the Regional Offices and assesses the effectiveness

and uniformity of the Regions’ implementation of the programs.

he Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards

The Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) is responsible

for ensuring the public health and safety by doing licensing, inspection,

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and environmental reviews

of all activities regulated by

the Nuclear Regulatory

Commission (except the

activities of operating

power and non-power

reactors), NMSS does the

safeguards technical review

of all licensing activities,

including export/import

licenses for special nuclear

material (excluding reactor

fuel). NMSS develops and

implements NRC policy

on regulating activities involving radioactive materials, such as uranium

recovery activities; fuel fabrication and development; medical, industrial,

academic, and commercial uses of radioactive materials; safeguards activities; transportation of nuclear materials, and the certification of transport

containers and reactor spent fuel storage containers and facilities; the safe

management and disposal of low-level and high-level radioactive waste;

and management of decommissioning activities.

egion I egion I

Region I of the NRC, located in King of Prussia, Pa., is managed by a

Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator. The mission of the Region is to execute NRC policies and programs relating to

inspection, licensing, incident response, governmental liaison, resource

management, and human resources.

The Region has four divisions. The Division of Reactor Projects (DRP)

is responsible for overseeing the implementation of inspection policies and

directing the inspection and assessment programs for power reactors. DRP

activities include inspection program management, plant performance reviews

(PPRs), resident inspection, and allegation follow up.

The Division of Reactor Safety (DRS) is responsible for operator licensing,

radiation safety, security, emergency preparedness, and the assessment of

licensees’ overall engineering capabilities and their ability to take effective,

comprehensive corrective actions in areas critical to safe plant operations.
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The Division of Nuclear Materials Safety (DNMS) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of materials policies, directing the materials safety

licensing and inspection programs, and doing Agreement State reviews,

managing reactor decommissioning activities and regional site decommissioning plan (SDMP) activities.

The Division of Resource Management (DRM) is responsible for the administrative functions of human resource management, contract administration,

budget and fiscal management, automated data processing, space and property

management, telecommunications and general administrative services (including licensee fee management and processing of Freedom of Information Act

(FOIA) requests.

ntry-Level Inspector Qualification Program Information

The Region I Entry-Level Inspector Qualification Program combines

a series of individually tailored developmental rotational assignments,

with extensive formal

training in a nuclear

reactor technology or

a nuclear materials

technology. Some of

the courses are

required and some

are optional. The 2-

year program is

designed to give new

employees

maximum exposure

to the NRC’s work

and a broad perspective on the NRC’s

regulatory process.

The training and the developmental assignments in this program follow

the guidelines of an inspector qualification manual

designed to prepare an employee to become a qualified NRC inspector.

Entry-level inspectors normally complete two 3-to-6 month developmental

rotational assignments. They may qualify as inspectors before completing

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rotational assignments. The timing and duration of these assignments

depend on the needs of both the organization and the individual. Reactor

inspectors are assigned to a plant site and are attached to a branch of NRR

at Headquarters. Nuclear materials license reviewers and inspectors are

normally assigned to various branches of NMSS at Headquarters.

ormal Training

All entry-level inspectors are expected to complete the courses listed in

Appendix A as a part of their developmental program and the inspector

qualification process. Nuclear materials inspectors and license reviewers

must complete the courses listed in Appendix B. Between courses there will

be interludes of hands-on experience (accompanying a qualified inspector on

an inspection, assignment to an inspection team, a rotational assignment,

attendance at management and licensee meetings). The objective is to give

the entry-level inspector a diverse mix of education and experience.

An entry-level reactor inspector is assigned a Region I power plant

(e.g., Limerick Power Plant) as a reference site. The inspector will take

the reactor technology series courses for the assigned site (e.g., the GE

BWR/4 Technology series or the Westinghouse Technology series), and

use the reference site in completing on-the-job training assignments. The

site visits and site rotational assignments are normally to the reference site,

but the inspector may visit other sites as well.

otational Assignments

The rotational assignments are intended to maximize the new employee’s

exposure to NRR or NMSS and to Regional activities. As such, they are

an integral part of the entry-level inspector’s development. These assignments are tailored to each inspector’s background, career goals and program schedule. The employee’s supervisor suggests potential rotational

assignments and, with input from the employee, determines which assignments will be scheduled and when. The supervisor then prepares a

schedule and revises it as necessary.

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Individual Development Plan

With the guidance of his or her supervisor and mentor, each entry-level

inspector will prepare an Individual Development Plan (IDP) specifying

an appropriate mix of reading, orientation, visits, developmental assignments, and informal and formal training.

The employee and his or her supervisor review the IDP periodically to

ensure that it remains consistent with the employee’s performance and

experience.

entors

 A key element of the Entry-Level Inspector Qualification Program is the

mentor. A mentor is a sponsor, a teacher and a counselor, and is typically

independent from the individual’s supervisor. The mentor is a senior staff

member (usually a Branch Chief or above) assigned to guide each new

employee through the program. Great care is taken to match an appropriate mentor to each entry-level inspector. Mentors are selected on the basis

of their willingness to be mentors, their commitment to and skill in an

individual advisory role, the breadth of their management perspective, and

how much time they can devote to mentoring.

 Mentors are encouraged to be open, candid and willing to share concerns

and give constructive feedback. The mentor should be available to discuss

long term career development with the employee, advise and encourage

the employee throughout the 2-year program, and advise the employee on

optional approaches for successfully overcoming any problems related to

the program. Entry-level inspectors are encouraged to meet with their

mentors regularly.

eer Sponsor eer Sponsor

Newly hired employees are assigned a Peer Sponsor to help them through

the initial transition. The Peer Sponsor is a fellow inspector who can

share experiences and guide the new employee. The Peer Sponsor greets

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the new employee upon arrival, shows him or her around the Region I

office, and helps the supervisor introduce the new employee to the other

members of the Region.

erformance Plan

Uniform performance plans (elements and standards) have been developed for the Entry-Level Inspector Qualification Program. Elements and

standards for entrylevel inspectors

emphasize participation in the program

and are not gradespecific.

The appraisal period

coincides with the

schedule established

for all non-SES NRC

employees, from

October 1 through

September 30 of each

year, with midyear

performance reviews conducted in April. At the end of each rotational

assignment, the rotational supervisor prepares an appraisal of the

employee’s performance. The entry-level inspector’s annual appraisal of

record is a composite of the rotational supervisors’ ratings.

rial Period Appraisals

Most employees new to Federal service are on probation during their first

2 years of employment. During this trial period, the supervisor reviews

the employee’s performance and conduct, and determines the employee’s

suitability for continued Federal employment.

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romotions

As mentioned above, this is an entry-level program. Individuals hired into

this program are usually hired at the Grade 5 or Grade 7 level. The full

performance level for these positions is Grade 13. Entry-level inspectors

are annually eligible for noncompetitive promotion up to Grade 13.

ral Qualification Board

The employee’s supervisor determines when the employee has completed all

necessary training, tasks, and assignments, and is ready to sit for the Oral

Qualification Board. This is usually towards the end of the 2-year program.

The Oral Qualification Board consists of three or more qualified personnel, usually Senior Inspector level and above. The Board asks the employee about his or her knowledge of NRC policies on the operation of

nuclear power plants or the implementation of the nuclear materials

inspection and licensing program. The Board members assess the qualification of the employee to conduct the NRC inspection or licensing

program and recommend to the Regional Administrator to certify the

employee as a qualified inspector and/or license reviewer.

At the recommendation of the Board, the Regional Administrator certifies

the employee as a qualified independent inspector and/or license reviewer.

raduation

The Human Resources Office arranges graduation activities for all

entry-level inspectors at the completion of the program. At that time, a

Certificate of Completion is presented to each graduate.

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ntry-Level Reactor Inspector ntry-Level Reactor Inspector

Below is the list of the formal training courses for the Entry-Level Reactor

Inspector Qualification Program. These courses provide an excellent

overview of nuclear plant technology, and teach a wide array of skills.

The courses teach new inspectors about the NRC’s role and mission, about

the responsibilities and legal authority of an inspector, about proven inspection techniques and procedures and how to develop inspection skills and

techniques. The courses also give a good understanding of reactor technology

and some familiarity with the NRC’s regulatory processes.

Inspection Skills Training Courses

Site Access Training

Fundamentals of Inspection or Reactor Inspection and

Oversight Program Training

Inspecting for Performance

Effective Communications for NRC Inspectors (OP)

Technical Training Courses

Power Plant Engineering (E-110) (self-study)

GE BWR/4 or Westinghouse Technology Series

Root Cause/Incident Investigation Workshop (G-205)

PRA Technology and Regulatory Perspectives (P-111)

General Information Courses

NRC: What It Is and What It Does

The Regulatory Process

NRC & Its Environment

Courses alternate with mentored self-study and participation in nuclear

safety inspections.

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Assigned to parent branch

Begin qualification journal

and on-the-job training

Begin formal training

Assignments at reference site

Complete reactor technology series

Participate in inspections

First Year

Site assignment (3-4 months)

Rotational assignment to

a Headquarters office

Participate in inspections

Complete formal training

Second Year

Graduate from program

Typical Entry Level Reactor Inspector

Milestone Chart

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ntry-Level Nuclear Materials License Reviewer/Inspector

Below is the list of formal training courses for the Entry-Level Materials

Inspector Qualification Program. These courses provide an excellent overview

of nuclear plant technology, and teach a wide array of skills. The courses

teach new inspectors about the NRC’s role and mission, about the responsibilities and legal authority of an inspector, about proven inspection techniques and procedures and how to develop their own inspection skills and

techniques. The courses also give them a good understanding of the relevant

technologies, and some familiarity with the NRC’s regulatory processes.

LICENSE REVIEW/INSPECTION SKILLS TRAINING COURSES

Fundamentals of Inspection (G-101) or Inspection Procedures (G-108)

Inspecting for Performance - Materials Version (G-304)

Licensing Practices and Procedures (G-109)

Effective Communications for NRC Inspectors (OP)

NMSS Radiation Worker Training (H-102) or Site Access Training (H-100)

TECHNICAL TRAINING COURSES

Health Physics Technology (H-201)

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine (H-304)

Safety Aspects of Industrial Radiography (H-305)

Teletherapy and Brachytherapy (H-313)

Transportation of Radioactive Materials (H-308)

OSHA Indoctrination (G-111)

Root Cause/Incident Investigation Workshop (G-205)

GENERAL INFORMATION COURSES

NRC: What It Is and What It Does

The Regulatory Process

Reactor Concepts

NRC & Its Environment

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Assigned to parent branch

Begin qualification journal

and on-the-job training

Begin formal training

Participate in inspections

First Year

Perform license reviews/

participate in inspections

Complete formal training

Second Year

Graduate from program

Typical Entry Level Nuclear Materials

License Reviewer/Inspector Milestone Chart

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Rotational assignment to

a Headquarters office

Inspector accompaniments/

begin basic licensing actions

Initial License Reviewer Certification/

Interim Inspector Qualifications
NOTES
NUREG/BR-0283

March 2001