Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Job Description
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Trainee Job Profile and Description
Operating a power plant requires knowledge of electricity generating and ancillary equipment that takes energy from sour like turbine and boilers from conventional sources. With a nuclear power plant, the source is nuclear fission and the Nuclear Power Reactor Operator is part of the hand-on crew responsible in operating and monitoring the safe performance of nuclear reactors to drive electric generation. The trainee or apprentice work often involved operating auxiliary plant operations for starters until they gain the experience and the required licensing from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Trainee Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist the nuclear power reactor operators in monitoring the reactor’s performance, ensuring that all parameters are within specified limits for sage and optimum operation.
- Assist in ensuring strict compliance with safety requirements and service bulletins as issued by the plant lead safety engineer.
- Assist in the operation of power plant auxiliary electric generating equipment
- Perform plant control duties as may be directed by the plant operators
- Attend all seminars and workshops in the proper operation of the nuclear plant facility
- Pass all training programs mounted by plant management
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Trainee Skills and Specifications
- Must have high comprehension skills to go through manuals and engineering bulletins in the operation of the power plant
- Must have a good familiarity with basic electricity generation
- Must have an inquisitive predisposition to understand the technicals behind each parameter in nuclear reactor operations
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Trainee Education and Qualifications
- A 4-year BS degree in the sciences is basic and a degree in Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related engineering courses is an advantage
- While not a requirement for admission as a trainee, a promise to pass the NRC licensing requirement is a must to become a full-fledge nuclear plant operator
Nuclear Power Reactor Operator Trainee Salary
The median annual salary of nuclear power reactor operators as of 2008 stood at $73,300 with the middle 50% earning between $63,000 and $82,600. The lowest 10% earned less than $56,000 while the highest 10% earned more than $96,000. Expect an entry level apprentice position without the license to earn significantly less than the lowest 10%.