# Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

- Contact Us Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board625 Indiana Ave NW Suite 700Washington, DC 20004(202) 694-7000(800) 788-4016              Your Name *   Your e-mail address *   Subject * - Select -Questions about the Board’s mission and operations  Message *
- Home The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is an independent organization within the executive branch of the United States Government, chartered with the responsibility of providing recommendations and advice to the President and the Secretary of Energy regarding public health and safety issues at Department of Energy defense nuclear facilities.                                                                          Recent Board Activity                                                                   Date                                        Title                                        Document Type                                        Document                                                                        March 28, 2024                                        LANL Recommendation 2023-1 Response to S-1 Request for 45-day Extension                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                                March 26, 2024                                        DOE Response to SRS SRTE Annual Reporting Requirement letter of October 4, 2023 (Received by the Board 03.27.24)                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                                March 25, 2024                                        DOE Response to DOE Order 251.1 letter dated January 4, 2024 (Received by the Board 03.28.24)                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                                March 21, 2024                                        DOE letter requesting a 45-day extension to respond to Recommendation 2023-1 (Received by the Board 03.22.24)                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                                March 18, 2024                                        34th Annual Report to Congress                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                                February 20, 2024                                        DOE Order 425.1 Extension Request                                                                    Letter                                                    PDF                                                    View More                                                                                                                                                                     March 8, 2024                                                    Hanford Week Ending March 8 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 1, 2024                                                    Hanford Week Ending March 1 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 23, 2024                                                    Hanford Week Ending February 23 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 16, 2024                                                    Hanford Week Ending February 16 2024                                                                     Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 9, 2024                                                    Hanford Week Ending February 9 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more                                                                                                                                                                     August 30, 2013                                                    Lawrence Livermore Week Ending August 30, 2013                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            August 23, 2013                                                    Lawrence Livermore Week Ending August 23, 2013                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            August 16, 2013                                                    Lawrence Livermore Week Ending August 16, 2013                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            August 9, 2013                                                    Lawrence Livermore Week Ending August 9, 2013                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            August 2, 2013                                                    Lawrence Livermore Week Ending August 2, 2013                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more                                                                                                                                                                     March 22, 2024                                                    Los Alamos Week Ending March 22 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 15, 2024                                                    Los Alamos Week Ending March 15 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 8, 2024                                                    Los Alamos Week Ending March 8 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 1, 2024                                                    Los Alamos Week Ending March 1 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 23, 2024                                                    Los Alamos Week Ending February 23 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more                                                                                    Recommendations                                                                   Title                                                                        Recommendation 2023-1, Onsite Transportation Safety                                                                10 CFR 830, Nuclear Safety Requirements                                                                Safety of the Savannah River Tritium Facilities                                                                Pantex Uncontrolled Hazard Scenarios and 10 CFR 830 Implementation                                                                Savannah River Site Building 235-F Safety                                                    View More                                                                                                                                                                     March 15, 2024                                                    Pantex Week Ending March 15 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 8, 2024                                                    Pantex Week Ending March 8 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 1, 2024                                                    Pantex Week Ending March 1 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 23, 2024                                                    Pantex Week Ending February 23 2024                                                                     Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 16, 2024                                                    Pantex Week Ending February 16 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more                                                                                                                                                                     March 1, 2024                                                    Savannah River Week Ending March 1 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 23, 2024                                                    Savannah River Week Ending February 23 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 16, 2024                                                    Savannah River Week Ending February 16 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 9, 2024                                                    Savannah River Week Ending February 9 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 2, 2024                                                    Savannah River Week Ending February 2 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more                                                                                                                                                                     March 22, 2024                                                    Oak Ridge Week Ending March 22 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 15, 2024                                                    Oak Ridge Week Ending March 15 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 8, 2024                                                    Oak Ridge Week Ending March 8 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            March 1, 2024                                                    Oak Ridge Week Ending March 1 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                                                            February 23, 2024                                                    Oak Ridge Week Ending February 23 2024                                                                    Resident Inspector Weekly Report                                                    PDF                                                    more
- Board Calendar Board Calendar.pdf
- Organization Chart Organizational Chart for Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board 03.07.2024.pdf
- Careers Find out how you can make a difference KEEPING TOMORROW SAFE TODAY.Build a career that has a lasting impact and a career that you'll be proud of for the rest of your life.DNFSB is committed to helping their employees reach their fullest potential while maintaining a work environment which encourages innovation, celebrates diversity, and focuses on exceptional performance.Our vital safety mission requires us to recruit the best and brightest individuals from all disciplines. People just like you.Whether you specialize in engineering, chemistry, physics, program management, administration, or recruitment, the DNFSB could be the place for you to make a difference.The DNFSB provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requesting an accommodation should contact the Human Resources office at 1-800-788-4016 or 202-694-7000.AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER                            Professional Opportunities                                                            Technical                                    Positions directly responsible for the delivery of the DNFSB core safety mission, such as General Engineer, Cognizant Engineer, Resident Inspector, and similar positions. All Engineering and Scientific positions require the ability to obtain and maintain a Q level (top secret) security clearance.We are always looking for qualified candidates for technical positions! Interested candidates should send their resume to techjobs@dnfsb.gov to receive further consideration.                                                  Administrative                                    Positions with primary responsibility for providing operational and functional support to the persons who deliver the DNFSB core mission, including IT Specialist, Budget Analyst, HR Specialist, Contract Specialist, Attorney, and similar positions. &nbsp;Depending on the job responsibilities, business operation positions may require the ability to obtain and maintain a Q level (top secret) security clearance.&nbsp;Interested candidates should send their resume to&nbsp;jobs@dnfsb.gov to receive further consideration.                                                                                                                                  Technical Opportunities for Students                                        Start your Career while earning your Master&#039;s Degree                        Candidates selected for the Professional Development Program are given the opportunity to earn a Master’s Degree while gaining professional experience that include four years of individually tailored developmental assignments, formal academic schooling, and an extensive "hands-on" field assignment. In return, employees complete a three-year service commitment, applying the critical skills and the knowledge base they've gained.                              Internships for College Juniors and Seniors                        The Summer Scholars Program offers summer internships to highly motivated, academically successful college juniors and seniors as well as recent undergraduate students entering a graduate degree program. Students selected to participate in the Summer Scholars Program receive competitive salaries, a technical mentor, structured technical work assignments, and may earn vacation and sick leave. For students pursuing a degree in a technical or engineering field, the DNFSB offers excellent opportunities to get some out-of-the-classroom experience in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Earthquake Engineering (Civil Engineering), Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, and other related fields.
- Areas of Expertise The Board applies a wide range of expertise in science and engineering in carrying out its mission of safety oversight of the Department of Energy’s defense nuclear facilities. The Board has assembled a staff with education and experience in fields important to the design, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of defense nuclear facilities. The areas of expertise most important to the Board’s work, and the particular focus within each area, are summarized below:                            Chemical Engineering and Chemistry                  The Board’s chemical engineers and chemists review nuclear chemical processing, storage and treatment of radioactive wastes, and nuclear explosive operations. This involves expertise in process chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear chemical separations processes, mixing of complex fluids, flammable gas phenomena, detonation theory, high explosives, and computer modeling of chemical processes.                    Civil Engineering                  The Board’s civil engineers include structural engineers who specialize in reviewing the design of defense nuclear facilities and environmental engineers who specialize in reviewing nuclear waste treatment and disposal.  Civil-structural engineers apply their expertise in analyzing the structural adequacy of new and aging facilities, systems, and components for natural phenomena loads (seismic, wind, snow, volcanic ash, etc.) as well as soil-structure interaction and foundation design.  Civil-environmental engineers focus their expertise on the unit operations involved in processing radioactive wastes into forms suitable for disposal.                    Earthquake Engineering                  The Board’s geotechnical engineers evaluate the potential ground motions from seismic activity at the sites of the Department of Energy’s defense nuclear facilities.  The probability and severity of seismic activity are important factors in the structural design of defense nuclear facilities.                    Electrical Engineering                  The Board’s electrical engineers review the safety and reliability of power distribution and backup power systems in defense nuclear facilities; the reliability of instrumentation and control systems important to safety; the safety of electrical and electronic equipment that interfaces with nuclear explosives in assembly, disassembly, and surveillance operations; and associated software quality assurance measures. This involves expertise in electrical components and systems used in nuclear facilities, the design and operation of instrumentation and control systems and components such as programmable logic controllers, and computer modeling of power distribution systems. The Board’s electrical engineers also apply expertise in electromagnetic fields and static electrical phenomena to evaluate hazards posed by lightning and electrostatic discharge.                    Fire Protection Engineering                  The Board’s fire protection engineers review fire safety at defense nuclear facilities. Their expertise includes knowledge of the development and implementation of fire protection programs and strategies; the design, operation, and maintenance of fire protection systems and components including fire barriers, automatic suppression systems, fire water supplies and pumps, and fire detection and alarm systems; and computer modeling of fire scenarios.                    Mechanical Engineering                  The Board’s materials engineers review safety issues related to the performance and degradation of materials used in safety-related systems and components at defense nuclear facilities. This involves expertise in degradation mechanisms such as fatigue, wear, erosion, corrosion, and creep; radiation damage in metals, plastics, and other materials; nondestructive inspection methods used in surveillance of nuclear systems and components; failure analysis; and welding and other repair techniques.                    Nuclear Engineering                  The Board’s nuclear engineers review nuclear chemical processing, storage and treatment of radioactive wastes, nuclear criticality safety, strategies for performing work in nuclear facilities, and radiation dosimetry programs used to monitor worker exposure to radiation.  This involves expertise in radiation health physics, radiation shielding, nuclear criticality, radiochemistry, and nuclear chemical separations processes.
- About the DNFSB The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is an independent organization within the executive branch of the United States Government, chartered with the responsibility of providing recommendations and advice to the President and the Secretary of Energy regarding public health and safety issues at Department of Energy defense nuclear facilities.                            Who We Are                                                          Board Members                                                                                    The Board reviews and evaluates the content and implementation of the standards relating to the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of defense nuclear facilities of the Department of Energy (including all applicable Department of Energy orders, regulations, and requirements) at each Department of Energy defense nuclear facility.                                                        Board Member Bios                                                                                      Resident Inspectors                                                                                    Resident Inspectors produce a Weekly Report that summarizes the pertinent activities and events that occurred during that week at their Defense Nuclear Facility.                                                        Resident Inspectors                                                                                                            Technical                                                                                   Our technical staff supports the Board by providing expertise in the fields relating to the design, construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of defense nuclear facilities.                                                        Areas of Expertise                                                                                      Administrative                                                                                   Our administrative staff supports the Board by providing expertise in the fields of Human Resources, Acquisitions and Finance, Information Technology, and Security and Records Management.                                                        Job openings                                                                                      Legal                                                                                   Our legal staff supports the Board by providing expertise on all agency legal issues.                                                        Legal                                                                                          Organization Chart                                Our Culture                                                                                                                                                                           The Board encourages collaboration between different engineering &amp; science disciplines.                                                                                                               Ben Caleca                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I enjoy working in such a supportive work environment with other engineers and scientists.                                                                                                               Frances Sutherland                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Best part of my job is a diversified skilled staff and the challenge to assess DOE activities.                                                                                                               John Abrefah                                                                                                                               Our Workplace                    The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board operates the majority of its staff out of Headquarters in Washington, DC. In addition to the full time staff at headquarters, there are additional staff who serve as Resident Inspectors&nbsp;at designated Defense Nuclear Facilities. Our Headquarters provides a reading room for the public to be able to peruse hard copy documents released to the public and for accessing requested information through the Freedom of Information Act.                                              Career Opportunities
- John Abrefah Who you are and what your job title is – name, title, and any specialty area/s. John Abrefah, Ph.D. - Senior Engineer I am proficient in nuclear and engineering materials performance degradation and stabilization. I have expertise in the area of nuclear fuel cycle chemistry and the characterization of irradiated nuclear materials for scientific and engineering performance issues that support environmental remediation projects and/or advancement of nuclear technologies. I am an experimental scientist and have experience in variety of scientific analytical tools to interrogate materials for their environmental behaviors.Why you were interested in the agency – how did you choose the DNFSB? When I made the decision to leave the National Laboratory for my next career endeavor, I went through a thought process of what should be my next meaningful and career challenge. After careful evaluation I concluded that I should continue to work in the nuclear science and technology industry to be able to tap into my years of experience, but that my actual job responsibility should be different and at the same time relevant. Finally, I settled on the safety aspect of the industry and so I applied to the Board and NRC. When I applied to join the Board I also contacted some professional colleagues I know in Japan, and they offered me a sabbatical opportunity to join them for developing the nuclear fuel and testing matrix for the proposed actinide burner fast reactors. After careful examination and with input from my family, I settled on coming to the Board because of the important role of the Board in ensuring safety at the Department of the Energy Nuclear Facility Complex.Overview of work/education before joining the agency – where are you originally from in the country, where you went to school (if young in career), and what, if any job experience did you have before coming to the DNFSB.I am originally from Ghana in West Africa. I received my Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering in 1987 and an MS in Nuclear Engineering in 1982 from the University of California, Berkeley. I completed my undergraduate studies in 1981 at the University of Manchester, Manchester, England where I obtained a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Nuclear Engineering. Prior to joining the Board in 2008, I was a staff scientist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington for about 15 years. I started as Senior Research Engineer and became the Team Lead for the Radiomaterials Chemistry Group. Before joining PNNL I worked with Professor Don Olander at University of California, Berkeley, first as a Post-doctoral Researcher and later as Research Engineer on nuclear material degradation.What is the best work aspect of your job – what is a unique experience the agency offers you? With my research background and broad technical experience, the best part of my job is to assess the technical basis of DOE and its contractors’ analysis of technical information and standards that support the identification of barriers designed to protect the public. This sometimes offer the challenges of staying focus on what is important to explicitly assess the effectiveness of information provided to ensure that the barriers presented can protect the public, workers and environment.What is the best public service aspect of your job – what is important to you in terms of giving back?The most important public aspect of my job is the technical responsibility to ensure that the operations of DOE defense nuclear facilities do not increase the safety risk of the public.What is the best people aspect of your job – who do you get to work with? The best part of my job is the diversified skilled staff and the continuous challenge to intellectually assess the variety of DOE and its contractors’ operational activities. Who you think will enjoy working at the agency – what type of personality thrives – curious, flexible, self-starter, committed to excellence, continual learner, working in teams, etc. The person who has a broad base of intellectual scientific abilities and curiosity with practical experiences in research operations and engineering practices will enjoy working at the Board. Individuals with knowledge in nuclear science and engineering, human performance and investigative progression of scientific phenomenon processes will find the oversight role to be rewarding.
- Frances Sutherland Who you are and what your job title is – name, title, and any specialty area/s. Frances Sutherland, Engineer. My technical projects tend to focus on nuclear chemical engineering.Why you were interested in the agency – how did you choose the DNFSB?I saw the DNFSB booth at a career fair when I was a junior in college. I became a summer intern and chose to return to DNFSB after I graduated because of the fantastic professional development program.Overview of work/education before joining the agency – where are you originally from in the country, where you went to school (if young in career), and what, if any job experience did you have before coming to the DNFSB.I was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, but I spent most of my adolescence in rural western Maryland. I went to University of Maryland College Park and graduated with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. After entering the professional development program here, I went to MIT and earned my Master of Science degree in Nuclear Science and Engineering. My third year assignment was at Argonne National Laboratory right outside Chicago. There, I worked on the pyroprocessing project, which is an electrochemical process to purify uranium.What is the best work aspect of your job – what is a unique experience the agency offers you? I enjoy working in such a supportive work environment. Other engineers and scientists are always willing to help give background information and discuss technical concepts. Also, the ability to telework and earn credit hours help me maintain my work-life balance.What is the best public service aspect of your job – what is important to you in terms of giving back? I love that our job is look for opportunities to better protect the people that live and work around defense nuclear facilities.What is the best people aspect of your job – who do you get to work with? The people at DNFSB are extremely intelligent and committed to nuclear safety. Our staff includes many respected experts from the nuclear industry, knowledgeable PhDs, and highly-educated engineers. Working with such an excellent cohort stretches me to better myself and produce top-quality work. The DNFSB staff are also willing to share their knowledge and help other staffers so there is always someone to bounce ideas off of or talk through a tough problem with.Who you think will enjoy working at the agency – What type of personality thrives?I think people that are driven and curious will enjoy working at DNFSB. It is also important to enjoy working with other people because most of our work is done through review teams.
- Job Openings Current Engineering Opportunities                  Please check back on this page or on USAJOBS for the latest Engineering job openings.                     Current Administrative Opportunities                  Please check back on this page or on USAJOBS for the latest Administrative job openings.                    Current Senior Executive Service Openings                  Please check back on this page or on USAJOBS for the latest Senior Executive Service job openings.