Shift Foreman/Senior Reactor Operator Positions

[richardm82]

Hello all,

I found a posting on PG&E's website announcing they will be hiring 11 Shift Foreman/Senior Reactor Operator's in March 2011. I am currently an E-6 nuke mechanic with 9 years in and about to get out of the Navy this October under honorable conditions. This job appears to be my ideal position, but since I am still in the Navy and have no idea of how the civilian nuclear system works I am not entirely sure.

My question for you all is what can I do to increase my chances of getting hired for this job? What are the hours like? Shift work etc. What is a typical day like? Any points of contact or information would be greatly appreciated.

Also I am Engineering Watch Supervisor/Engineering Duty Petty Officer qualified and am on track to finish my BSAT in Nuclear Engineering Technology in December.


Thanks in advance for any and all help,

Richard

[UncaBuffalo]

Hello all,

I found a posting on PG&E's website announcing they will be hiring 11 Shift Foreman/Senior Reactor Operator's in March 2011. I am currently an E-6 nuke mechanic with 9 years in and about to get out of the Navy this October under honorable conditions. This job appears to be my ideal position, but since I am still in the Navy and have no idea of how the civilian nuclear system works I am not entirely sure.

My question for you all is what can I do to increase my chances of getting hired for this job? What are the hours like? Shift work etc. What is a typical day like? Any points of contact or information would be greatly appreciated.

Also I am Engineering Watch Supervisor/Engineering Duty Petty Officer qualified and am on track to finish my BSAT in Nuclear Engineering Technology in December.


Thanks in advance for any and all help,

Richard

If you aren't familiar with the high cost-of-living in the area, it wouldn't hurt to spend some time on www.Zillow.com or www.Hotpads.com ...

[co60slr]

I found a posting on PG&E's website announcing they will be hiring 11 Shift Foreman/Senior Reactor Operator's in March 2011. I am currently an E-6 nuke mechanic with 9 years in and about to get out of the Navy this October under honorable conditions. This job appears to be my ideal position, but since I am still in the Navy and have no idea of how the civilian nuclear system works I am not entirely sure.

My question for you all is what can I do to increase my chances of getting hired for this job? What are the hours like? Shift work etc. What is a typical day like? Any points of contact or information would be greatly appreciated.

Also I am Engineering Watch Supervisor/Engineering Duty Petty Officer qualified and am on track to finish my BSAT in Nuclear Engineering Technology in December.

First, your job search seems to be behind schedule if you're leaving in four months, you're looking for a nuclear career, but not sure about Instant SRO.   Put in the overtime and get caught up!   

The prereqs that anyone is looking for is being qualified as EWS or EOOW for a few years.  The requirements lie in the NUREGS at nrc.gov.   Your degree will show academic achievement and initiative, but isn't necessary for Nuclear Ops.  (However, it will help you during a post Navy Nuclear career).

Many companies have this same ad running in various parts of the country.  The hard part is finding someone to start paying you when you need the paycheck after you separate.  For example, a SRO class starting in January 2011 has to have the students on site 6 months before that.  (Add 4 months before that for HR to do their thing).   Tick, Tock...

Whether you go AUO/NLO or try the Direct SRO route, you'll find that Utilities are hiring...maybe not in your geographical location, but you have to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Like they tell us in TAP:  Networking, Networking, Networking.  I know very few people that get their dream job but simply uploading an electronic resume and waiting.   Get aggressive, have fun, and explore many different locations, jobs, etc.   Simply showing some energy may break you out of your competition.

Good Luck,

Co60

[richardm82]

First -

Thank you for your service.   

Second -

Start with these links and dig deeper from there;

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/board,68.0.html

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10736.0.html

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,12206.0.html

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,10516.0.html

Third -

Good Luck,....

Thanks for all the great information, I have spent hours browsing these forums but have somehow missed most of these posts.

First, your job search seems to be behind schedule if you're leaving in four months, you're looking for a nuclear career, but not sure about Instant SRO.   Put in the overtime and get caught up!   

The prereqs that anyone is looking for is being qualified as EWS or EOOW for a few years.  The requirements lie in the NUREGS at nrc.gov.   Your degree will show academic achievement and initiative, but isn't necessary for Nuclear Ops.  (However, it will help you during a post Navy Nuclear career).

Many companies have this same ad running in various parts of the country.  The hard part is finding someone to start paying you when you need the paycheck after you separate.  For example, a SRO class starting in January 2011 has to have the students on site 6 months before that.  (Add 4 months before that for HR to do their thing).   Tick, Tock...

Whether you go AUO/NLO or try the Direct SRO route, you'll find that Utilities are hiring...maybe not in your geographical location, but you have to get your foot in the door somewhere.

Like they tell us in TAP:  Networking, Networking, Networking.  I know very few people that get their dream job but simply uploading an electronic resume and waiting.   Get aggressive, have fun, and explore many different locations, jobs, etc.   Simply showing some energy may break you out of your competition.

Good Luck,

Co60

Although I do get out this October I am hoping to take a few months off so my girlfriend and I can do some traveling, that is part of the reason why I find this job so desirable.

I was only qualified as EWS onboard my sub for a little over a year, and have been on shore duty for almost 3 years after that. Does this count as holding the qual for >2 years even if it wasn't being applied?

If you aren't familiar with the high cost-of-living in the area, it wouldn't hurt to spend some time on www.Zillow.com or www.Hotpads.com ...

I am originally from California and currently live in Hawaii so the cost of living in the SLO area is actually less than I'm used to. I have been looking at the Arroyo Grande area which seems to be fairly well priced for the area.

Another question: I typically like to commute to work on my bicycle so Arroyo Grande would be in the range for that but would the roads there support this and what about riding onsite, is that allowed?

[co60slr]

I was only qualified as EWS onboard my sub for a little over a year, and have been on shore duty for almost 3 years after that. Does this count as holding the qual for >2 years even if it wasn't being applied?

I am originally from California and currently live in Hawaii so the cost of living in the SLO area is actually less than I'm used to. I have been looking at the Arroyo Grande area which seems to be fairly well priced for the area.

EWS for about a year?  Depending on how your Utility reads the NUREG.  Your DD-214 will reflect the cumulative period.

Hawaii vs "Mainland".  Keep in mind you're losing your (huge, non-taxable) BAH allowance, in addition to paying state taxes.  The overall loss of the "military tax advantage" is not trivial and should be factored into your post-Navy budget.

Co60

[HydroDave63]

Although I do get out this October I am hoping to take a few months off so my girlfriend and I can do some traveling, that is part of the reason why I find this job so desirable.

When you factor in Co60Slr's excellent timeline plus your traveling (lucky guy! ) means you'll probably look at a 2012 opening, sooner would entail the NLO-at-first route IMHO

I was only qualified as EWS onboard my sub for a little over a year, and have been on shore duty for almost 3 years after that. Does this count as holding the qual for >2 years even if it wasn't being applied?

I took my first really hot swipe in 1989, it doesn't make me a 20+ year 3.1 rad tech. Getting caught in a confabulation/embellishment like that anywhere in the hiring process is a short trip to permanent roundfile.

I am originally from California and currently live in Hawaii so the cost of living in the SLO area is actually less than I'm used to. I have been looking at the Arroyo Grande area which seems to be fairly well priced for the area.

Another question: I typically like to commute to work on my bicycle so Arroyo Grande would be in the range for that but would the roads there support this and what about riding onsite, is that allowed?

Unless you were Lance Armstrong's pace trainer, that is an implausible and very sweaty bike commute ( looking at the map shows ~20 miles from Arroyo Grande ). I agree with SunDog that you would still be riding in a carbon-spewing vehicle either way.

[hamsamich]

There is one guy who rides his bike to the access road gate everyday a far distance.  Everyone talks about him like he is some sorta freak.  More power to ya if you can do it.  But I'm not sure how far he rides.  Some people live in los osos, there are some issues there though concerning sewage planning.  Quite a few people live up in Atascadero - Paso Robles area  due to cost of living issues.  Plan on spending mucho $$$ for a small house.  350K for a small shoebox.  That is why I wouldn't go there full time.  I was watching a buddy of mine who is full time there try to find a decent house for under 350.  It was hard, but I guess it depends on your def. of decent house and how far you are willing to drive.  Issues I decided not to deal with.  Good luck.