Summary

Serves as member of Professional Staff (Nuclear Engineer). The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board offers unique opportunities to address complex environmental challenges of national and international importance while working on a team of professionals from a variety of scientific and technical disciplines.

Clarification from the agency

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will close on December 11, 2025, or until filled or cancelled. Qualified applicants will be referred to the selecting official after 36 days. The first referral will be sent on January 17, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until positions are filled. This announcement may close without prior notification.

Duties

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Nuclear Engineer will:

• Evaluate nuclear facility design, licensing, and construction plans to determine whether proposed facilities can be constructed and operated efficiently and meet the appropriate operational and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, radioactive waste packaging, storage, and transportation; and the design, licensing, construction and operation of nuclear structures, systems, and components that are integral to nuclear facilities.
• Provide the Board with detailed information on developments in both the private and public sectors that can affect the direction of DOE's integrated waste management system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, and analyze the technical, scientific, and regulatory effects of those developments.
• Provide authoritative technical advice and guidance to the Executive Director and to Board members on complex technical issues related to key decisions made by DOE. As requested by the Executive Director, the incumbent will draft correspondence and reports in response to inquiries from members of Congress and their staff, state and local governments, Federal agencies, Tribes, and interested public.
• Maintain a current knowledge of DOE efforts to implement its spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste program by attending DOE meetings, reviewing DOE documents, and interacting with DOE and contractor employees working in the program.
• Analyze DOE implementation plans and meets with appropriate DOE representatives to ascertain the status of DOE's implementation of approved Board recommendations.
• Interact with scientific groups and committees, other Federal agencies, Tribes or state and local governments to assist the Board in evaluating DOE activities and developing Board recommendations. When appropriate and as assigned by the Executive Director, represent the Board at technical meetings, in meetings with interested groups, and in interactions with members of Congress and their staff, and representatives of the Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability Office.
• Assist other professional staff members in executing their duties when assigned to do so.

Conditions of Employment

1. U.S. Citizenship Required.
2. May be required to complete background investigation and drug screening.
3. A one-year trial/probationary period may be required.
4. Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
5. Time-in-Grade: Current or former Federal employees applying under merit promotion considerations must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements for consideration.
6. Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males.
7. All qualification requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
8. This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Therefore, if selected you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment to this position. This information will be required annually.
9. Relocation expenses or relocation incentives as described in 5 U.S.C. 5753 may be authorized in accordance with applicable travel regulations, agency policy, and available funding.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in nuclear engineering or a closely related field and at least eight years of professional experience.
• A comprehensive knowledge of the mission, functions, responsibilities, and objectives of the Board.
• Superior communication, synthesis, and writing skills, including the ability to accurately summarize Board deliberations and prepare draft reports based on those deliberations in a timely manner.
• Ability to analyze information from multiple disciplines and communicate the results of the analyses clearly and effectively in written reports and presentations to Board members, Congress, and Department of Energy senior management, as appropriate.
• Familiarity with programs of other agencies and the legislation affecting them, including the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, and Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
• Ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, including Board members and staff, and to assist with reviews being performed by other staff members.
• The necessary skills to organize teams, manage meetings, and supervise the production of reports and other documents.
• Familiarity with the U.S. program, programs in other countries, and international organizations involved in managing and disposing of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
• Potential for effective participation in teams with respect to planning, coordinating, and executing projects.
• Relevant project experience may include participation on interdisciplinary teams, project management, and workshop coordination.

Education

• Should possess an advanced degree (preferably a doctorate) in Nuclear Engineering or a closely related field and at least eight years of professional experience.
• Foreign Education: In order to demonstrate that education completed in other countries meets the qualification requirements, applicants must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by an organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs, and that such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. program. Otherwise, proof must be provided to show that full credit has been given for the courses at an accredited U.S. college or university.

For further information, visit:
(https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/).

Required Documents

1. Résumé which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicating hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A written statement presenting the applicant's key qualifications, experience and skills and discussing how these relate to the required and desirable qualifications indicated above and the duties of the position.
3. Current/Former Federal employees: Most recent Performance Appraisal.
4. Current/Former Federal employees: Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) showing that you are/were in the competitive service, as well as the highest grade (or promotion potential) held, on a permanent basis and containing information which shows you meet time-in-grade (e.g., STEP increase, etc.) You must submit an SF-50(s) that shows permanent (career/career/conditional tenure) and competitive service eligibility to be considered. No award SF-50 will be accepted.
5. Phone and e-mail contact details for three individuals familiar with the applicant's professional skills and experience. The applicant should indicate when those individuals might be contacted to request a letter of reference and/or a telephone call.
6. Official Transcript
7. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

How to Apply

If you would like to be considered for this position, please submit your application by mail or email and reference announcement number in the email subject line and in your cover letter.

Applications by mail should be sent to:

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board
ATTN: Neysa M. Slater-Chandler
Director of Administration
2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 1300
Arlington, VA 22201-3367
703-235-4473