Reactor Operator
What you'd do
NIST is seeking a Reactor Operator to maintain, test, and operate the nuclear reactor at the NCNR, providing world-class neutron measurement capabilities to researchers from industry, academia, and government. The work of this role directly enables critical scientific breakthroughs advancing economic and technical excellence in the U.S. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.
Major duties
NIST's NCNR is a national user facility that advances economic and technical excellence in the U.S. by providing world-class neutron measurement capabilities to meet the needs of researchers from industry, academia, and government. Research being conducted at the NCNR provides massive economic returns to U.S. industries and advances scientific research globally in numerous complex fields, like quantum information science, energy storage, and bioscience. Reactor Operators at the NCNR are foundational to the facility's day-to-day scientific output as they conduct instrument maintenance and calibration, quality assurance, and equipment management. As a Reactor Operator at the ZT-III level, you will: Perform routine operations on a research reactor, Perform equipment maintenance on a research reactor, Perform specified routine procedures of a research reactor, and Attend routine continuous training on a research reactor. As a Reactor Operator at the ZT-IV level, you will: Direct and perform routine operations on a research reactor, Direct and perform equipment maintenance on a research reactor, Direct specified routine procedures of a research reactor, and Attend routine continuous training on a research reactor.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for the ZT-III, applicants must have one year (52 Weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-08 grade level (ZTII for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience assisting or providing technical support with regular routine procedures, operations, or maintenance of a nuclear facility. OR Two full years of graduate education OR A master's degree related to the position OR A combination of education and experience To qualify for the ZT-IV, applicants must have one year (52 Weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-10 grade level (ZT-III for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience performing routine operations or equipment maintenance on a nuclear facility with little supervision And Experience identifying abnormal conditions and performing complex or specialized maintenance activities Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.