What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nuclear Engineer. position at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)?
Duties
These positions are located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Rocky Mountain Region, U.S. Triga Reactor, duty stationed in Lakewood, CO.
At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Occasional recurring and strenuous physical exertion, such as climbing tall ladders and carrying leadshielding, is required. Lifting of shielding up to 100 pounds may be required. Movement of shields up to10,000 pounds with the use of appropriate mechanical handling equipment may also be required.
Work environment
The workplace contains safety risks associated with the routine exposure to all types of ionizing radiation.Radiation protective equipment and exposure monitoring equipment must be worn. Radiation surveysrequire exposure to the outdoors in all weather conditions and require some work on building roofs. TheUS Geological Survey has categorized the duties of this position as suitable for telework only during anemergency or natural disaster.
Random Drug Testing
You will be required to undergo random drug testing as a condition of employment.
Driver's License
You will be required to maintain a valid State issued Driver's License as a condition of employment.
Travel
You will be required to travel for training, meetings or site visits. You will also be required to trave one week a year for conference attendance and/or other facility visits.
License/Certification
You will be required to obtain and maintain a NRC Senior Reactor Operator License within one year of employment.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/06/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND/OR (2) Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying.
Nuclear Engineering Series, 0840:
Individual Occupational Requirements
Please Note: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met. This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.
To Qualify For The GS-11, You Must Possess At Least One Full Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To At Least The GS-09 Grade Level In The Federal Service, Or Comparable Experience Not Gained Through Federal Service. Specialized Experience Is Experience That Equipped The Applicant With The Particular Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities To Perform Successfully The Duties Of The Position, And That Is Typically In Or Related To The Work Of The Position To Be Filled. Specialized Experience Is Defined As Demonstrated Experience:
To Qualify For The GS-12, You Must Possess At Least One Full Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To At Least The GS-11 Grade Level In The Federal Service, Or Comparable Experience Not Gained Through Federal Service. Specialized Experience Is Experience That Equipped The Applicant With The Particular Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities To Perform Successfully The Duties Of The Position, And That Is Typically In Or Related To The Work Of The Position To Be Filled. Specialized Experience Is Defined As Demonstrated Experience:
Additional Information On The Qualification Requirements Is Outlined In The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Of General Schedule Positions And Is Available At OPM's Website:
Volunteer Experience: 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.
Education
This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
These positions are located within the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Rocky Mountain Region, U.S. Triga Reactor, duty stationed in Lakewood, CO.
At the full performance level (GS-12) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Operate a TRIGA reactor utilizing knowledge of instrumentation/controls/mechanical maintenance.
- Apply theory, new applications, or developments to plan and perform reactor experiments, maintenance, and repairs as required.
- Prepare and process samples for a TRIGA reactor and troubleshoot when an issue occurs.
- Ship hazardous radioactive materials including procurement, transportation properly and safely.
- Communicate the TRIGA reactor functions through providing tours of the facility and representing the USGS at interagency, national, and international meetings.
Occasional recurring and strenuous physical exertion, such as climbing tall ladders and carrying leadshielding, is required. Lifting of shielding up to 100 pounds may be required. Movement of shields up to10,000 pounds with the use of appropriate mechanical handling equipment may also be required.
Work environment
The workplace contains safety risks associated with the routine exposure to all types of ionizing radiation.Radiation protective equipment and exposure monitoring equipment must be worn. Radiation surveysrequire exposure to the outdoors in all weather conditions and require some work on building roofs. TheUS Geological Survey has categorized the duties of this position as suitable for telework only during anemergency or natural disaster.
Random Drug Testing
You will be required to undergo random drug testing as a condition of employment.
Driver's License
You will be required to maintain a valid State issued Driver's License as a condition of employment.
Travel
You will be required to travel for training, meetings or site visits. You will also be required to trave one week a year for conference attendance and/or other facility visits.
License/Certification
You will be required to obtain and maintain a NRC Senior Reactor Operator License within one year of employment.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
- Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Direct Deposit participation required.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit
- Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
- Must obtain within 1 year a NRC Senior Reactor Operator license or registration.
- Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
- A physical examination will be required, or a statement regarding physical ability will need to be completed. You must maintain physical fitness standards throughout employment.
- Additional Requirements located under qualifications*
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement 08/06/2026 unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To receive credit for experience, your resume MUST state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience. Failure to adequately provide information needed to determine number of hours worked in each position may result in that time not being credited when evaluating qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the full and/or part-time hours requirement as the service dates will be reflected.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position you must meet the (1) Basic Educational Requirements AND/OR (2) Specialized Experience for the series/grade to which you are applying.
Nuclear Engineering Series, 0840:
Individual Occupational Requirements
- Basic Educational Requirements:
- Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
- OR-
- Combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Professional registration or licensure
- Written Test
- Specified academic courses
- Related curriculum
Please Note: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met. This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.
- AND-
- Specialized Experience/Education
To Qualify For The GS-11, You Must Possess At Least One Full Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To At Least The GS-09 Grade Level In The Federal Service, Or Comparable Experience Not Gained Through Federal Service. Specialized Experience Is Experience That Equipped The Applicant With The Particular Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities To Perform Successfully The Duties Of The Position, And That Is Typically In Or Related To The Work Of The Position To Be Filled. Specialized Experience Is Defined As Demonstrated Experience:
- Supervising or direct operation and/or maintenance of research, commercial, or military nuclear reactor plants.
- Assisting in the development of criticality safety technical reviews.
- Assisting in technical oversight for engineering activities associated with Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) reactor nuclear systems/facilities or a similar reactor such as (e.g. PULSTAR, AGN-201 series, SLOWPOKE & MAPLE Reactors and/or Fast Burst Reactors).
- Identifying, planning, and coordinating efforts to ensure effective criticality safety is achieved and maintained.
- OR-
- Education: You may substitute graduate education for experience if you have achieved:
- 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
- Qualifying combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed graduate education (only successfully completed education beyond the second year (or 36 semester hours) is creditable towards meeting this requirement) and specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level that is related to the position and total 100% of the requirement for this grade level.
To Qualify For The GS-12, You Must Possess At Least One Full Year Of Specialized Experience Equivalent To At Least The GS-11 Grade Level In The Federal Service, Or Comparable Experience Not Gained Through Federal Service. Specialized Experience Is Experience That Equipped The Applicant With The Particular Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities To Perform Successfully The Duties Of The Position, And That Is Typically In Or Related To The Work Of The Position To Be Filled. Specialized Experience Is Defined As Demonstrated Experience:
- Supervising or direct operation and/or maintenance of research, commercial, or military nuclear reactor plants.
- Preparing and developing criticality safety technical reviews.
- Supervising the technical oversight for engineering activities associated with Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) reactor nuclear systems/facilities or a similar reactor such as (e.g. PULSTAR, AGN-201 series, SLOWPOKE & MAPLE Reactors and/or Fast Burst Reactors).
- Identifying, planning, and coordinating efforts to ensure effective criticality safety is achieved and maintained.
- Evaluating engineering instructions to resolve deficiencies and increase efficiencies for the overhaul and repair of nuclear reactor plant systems and components.
- Performing independent evaluation and analyses on contractor or licensee safety reports.
Additional Information On The Qualification Requirements Is Outlined In The OPM Qualification Standards Handbook Of General Schedule Positions And Is Available At OPM's Website:
Volunteer Experience: 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.
Education
This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are authorized with the exception of the Guaranteed Home Sale Provision or first-post-of-duty relocation expenses are authorized, as applicable. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), signed into law December 2017, suspends the moving expense deduction and the exclusion from income of qualified employer reimbursements of moving expenses that was allowed under previous tax laws. Employer reimbursements for moving costs are now generally taxed at the same rate as ordinary income.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here,
Current surplus and current or former displaced Federal individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. Well qualified means that the applicant meets the following: OPM qualification standards for the position; all selective placement factors, where applicable; special qualifying conditions that OPM has approved for the position, where applicable; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and is rated by the organization at least at the well qualified level.
The duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.