Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
TitlePower Systems Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear) (NY HELPS)
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
Salary RangeFrom $100761 to $124107 Annually
Minimum Qualifications General Public
Non-Competitive (NY HELPS)*
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering or engineering technology discipline AND three years of direct experience or regulatory oversight experience in nuclear power plant operations and/or nuclear safety programs in one or more of the following:
• Technical evaluation of nuclear generating facilities design, construction, licensing, operation, and decommissioning to determine whether they meet design objectives and Federal and State safety requirements; or
• Development and revision of criteria, standards, and procedures for evaluating nuclear power plant operations under normal and emergency conditions; or
• Evaluation of the effectiveness and reliability of nuclear power plant systems, as well as engineered safety features and other systems important to protecting the public and the environment from potential radiation exposure during normal operations and under emergency conditions; or
• Review and evaluate reports from the industry and the Federal government pertaining to safety or environmental impact of nuclear generating facilities; or
• Technical expertise on matters that may affect the operation of nuclear power plants in New York State as they may relate to potential health, radiological risks, economic, and environmental impacts; or
• Preparation and review of license amendments submitted by nuclear power plant licensees in New York State; perform research regarding amendments as it relates to plant safety, design, and engineering issues; or
• Evaluation of materials related to nuclear power plant operations and emergency planning, exercise, and response actions by evaluating the validity of certain assumptions made in estimating the effectiveness and reliability of nuclear system components to mitigate the consequences of various potential or actual system failures, or external impacts to safe plant operation.
Substitutions:
• A nuclear power plant operator’s license issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission may be substituted for the educational requirements.
• A master’s degree in engineering or engineering technology may be substituted for one year of experience.
• Naval nuclear experience, which includes operating a nuclear reactor or operating nuclear reactor safety systems, may be substituted for the above experience. Each year of Naval nuclear experience may be substituted for one year of the direct experience or regulatory experience in a nuclear power plant operations and/or nuclear safety programs listed above.
Transfer
Must be a current New York State Department of Public Service employee with one year or more of permanent, competitive service as a Power Systems Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear), Grade 27.
Civil Service List
Candidates on the Department of Public Service’s Power Systems Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear), Grade 27, list have been canvassed and do not need to apply to this posting.
Duties Description The Power Systems Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear), Grade 27, will work in the Office of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (OREP) and will perform duties that include, but are not limited to:
• Reviewing, analyzing, and commenting on nuclear generating facility license amendments for impact on nuclear plant design technical specifications and safety along with compliance with State and federal regulations.
• Maintaining awareness and understanding of current State and federal proceedings, rulemakings, and policies that may affect operating nuclear generating facilities, decommissioned nuclear generating facilities, spent fuel transfer, and long-term spent fuel storage solutions.
• Conducting site visits to perform inspections, interviews with nuclear plant supervision, and facility tours.
• Observing and monitoring the progress of new or ongoing capital and decommissioning projects.
• Evaluating operating and decommissioned nuclear plant issues for impact to public safety and environment and reporting findings to Department and State executive level staff. Tracking progress in real-time as follow-up actions, repair activities, and restart timeframes are developed.
• Reviewing and analyzing quarterly reports and documents submitted to the Department through Lightened Regulation Reporting from NYS nuclear plants.
• Serving as State representative for federal investigations of nuclear generating facilities and nuclear decommissioning sites to observe and assist in the technical evaluation of current plant issues.
• Providing technical support to Governor directed investigations.
• Leading a team of State technical specialists (under the direction of the NYS Department of Health) with the goal to assess and evaluate the health and stability of nuclear generating facilities during an emergency and effectively communicating this information to State decision makers.
• Participating as Department representative in biannual State nuclear stakeholder meetings.
• Participating in training and briefings on new issues and action items related to the radiological emergency preparedness of State nuclear generating facilities.
• Maintaining and strengthening partnerships with county, State, federal, and licensee radiological emergency response stakeholders.
Additional Comments *This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is satisfactorily performing in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Travel Requirements
Appointment to this position may require extensive travel within a designated area of assignment. Appointees to this position may be required to operate a motor vehicle or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. If the position requires that you operate a motor vehicle, you must possess a driver’s license valid in New York State at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
Physical/Medical Requirements
Your physical and medical condition will be evaluated to ensure that you are able to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. A complete statement of the physical and medical standards is available at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/ehs/forms.cfm. A medical examination will be required prior to appointment, and you are responsible for payment of the clinic laboratory test fee. Appointees to this position may be required to undergo periodic medical examinations to assess their ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
Background Investigation
Because of the nature of the position there is an investigative screening that may include a thorough character investigation. All convictions must be reported. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor or any falsified or omitted information may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of State and federal laws.
Access Authorization
The incumbent of this position will be required to make on-site inspections of nuclear power plant licensees in New York State. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires nuclear power plants in New York State to conduct regular reviews and screenings of each person granted unescorted access to NRC-licensed facilities which include reviews of the following: employment history; military history; criminal history; credit history; education history; interviews with references; drug screening; and psychological screening. Failure to meet access requirements at any time will bar appointment or will result in removal after appointment.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Public Service is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator which can be found under the Accessibility Link on the Department’s webpage at https://dps.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Name Human Resources Management - CG
Email Address recruiting@dps.ny.gov
Address
Notes on ApplyingPlease send a resume and cover letter to recruiting@dps.ny.gov or fax to Human Resources Management at (518)473-9990. Please reference “Power System Operations Specialist 4 (Nuclear), NY HELPS posting 00746” when applying.