Civil Engineer (Structural)

Summary

This position is located in Office of Advanced Reactors, Division of Advanced Reactor Engineering, Advanced Reactor Engineering Branch 4. The supervisor is Travis L. Tate. This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements. This position is subject to security ownership restriction reporting requirements.

Duties

• As a Civil Engineer, the successful candidate will perform evaluations of highly complex civil engineering related issues (e.g., design, qualification, operation, and testing of important safety structures, systems and components) to support applicant or licensee implementation of NRC regulations and requirements and to support pre-licensing and reviews and changes in existing licenses. Uses technical expertise in civil engineering to support operating or construction experience reviews, inspection and enforcement activities, and development of regulations and regulatory guidance. Such duties include but are not limited to: Evaluates requests for: Construction Permit, Operating License, Design Certification and License Amendments; and develops the technical basis that provides a reasonable assurance that the request maintains the level of safety that is compliant with regulatory requirements. Uses risk-informed decision-making and risk developed insights in establishing the depth and breadth of the technical evaluations of structures and components. Uses risk-informed decision-making and risk developed insights in establishing the depth and breadth of the technical evaluations of structures and components. Reviews linear and non-linear analysis performed by the applicant using complex computer codes. Develops technical evaluations that support a reasonable assurance of safety findings through compliance with the regulatory requirements. Participates in the response to and resolution of construction or operating experience issues. Maintains cognizance of industry codes and standards related to assigned areas of responsibility. Identifies the need for contractor support to complement existing resources and expertise necessary to accomplish objectives in assigned areas of responsibility.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as experience related to structural design, reinforced concrete and steel design. Experience in the principles, theories, and practices of structural engineering, and in explaining and interpreting regulatory safety requirements, policies, and procedures for reactor facilities in the area of structural engineering. Such experience should have provided you with the full range of knowledge, skills and abilities addressed in the rating factor questions that are associated with this vacancy announcement. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in applying the principles, theories, and practices in the field of structural engineering related to the licensing, inspection and other regulatory programs pertaining to power or non-power reactors. Demonstrated knowledge and experience related to nuclear power plant issues in the area of structural design, reinforced concrete and steel design, soil/structure interaction analysis, earthquake engineering, and structural and seismic analysis. (i.e., experience and familiarity with ASME Section III, Division 2, AISC Code and the ACI Code (318, 349 and 359), demonstrated familiarity in the use of computer codes for structural analysis). Substantial knowledge and experience with regulatory requirements, regulatory guides, ASME Code requirements, AISC Code requirements, ACI Code requirements (318, 349 and 359), and other related industry codes and standards and/or industry/NRC initiatives in the area of structural engineering. Demonstrated ability to work efficiently in handling multiple assignments with competing priorities, often under considerable pressure to meet deadlines. Demonstrated skills in communicating information, ideas and advice in a clear, concise, and logical manner, both orally and in writing. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Candidates for Federal Government professional engineering positions must meet certain basic professional knowledge requirements. Generally these knowledge requirements are met by having a bachelor's or higher degree in a relevant professional engineering discipline (e.g., mechanical, metallurgical, materials, nuclear, structural, chemical, electrical) from a school of engineering with at least one professional engineering curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). However, if you do not possess such a professional engineering degree, you may still satisfy the professional knowledge requirements if you have current Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in one of the relevant disciplines from any U.S. State or Territory; or if you successfully passed an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) written examination administered by a State Board of Engineering Examiners; or if you have either a related professional degree or at least 60 semester hours of specified engineering-related college courses COMBINED WITH at least a year of professional engineering work experience performed under professional engineer supervision and guidance. Note: Engineering technology degrees are not generally qualifying unless supplemented by other evidence of the individual's professional knowledge (e.g., current P.E. license or EIT examination results, as discussed above). More detailed information about these alternatives for meeting the knowledge requirements for Federal professional engineering jobs are described in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Operating Manual which may be accessed at the following Web site: OPM Qualification Standards for 0800 Professional Engineering Positions You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 09/30/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13059749. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply.