Getting in as a Nuclear Security Officer

[wannabeNSO]

Hello,

I hope this is the right place for this topic.

I found this forum/website by luck looking for nuclear security jobs on google.

I live in Southern California (though not opposed to relocating providing it pays enough)

I am currently in Law Enforcement (on duty status only. Armed.)

I do the job of a fully sworn peace officer on a security guard's wage.  I like my job, but due to economy, departments are letting go of officers and I am on that expendable list.  After speaking to a couple of people from PA who work in Nuclear Security, it seems like a solid job with good training, not to mention a lot of work hours and pay that is equal if not greater than what i currently make, unions (if applicable), and benefits/retirement.  Something to help support a future family on.

I am just trying to locate any info regarding companies such as Edison or PG&E or any company for that matter who has their own security team (not contracted through companies like Wackenhut) to shoot my resume too.

I have a lot of State/federal certified training in law enforcement and some college though none of it really pertains to the nuke field other than personal radiation devices.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[JustinHEMI05]

Does location matter? If not, then PM me and I will put you in touch with an Exelon recruiter in the NE. We are all in house.

[HydroDave63]

Due to changing NERC requirements, even non-nuclear utilities have armed contract officers at various locations. One of the better outfits that I have seen is http://www.whitestonegroup.us/advantage.htm

[wannabeNSO]

Thanks  for the replies so far. You're right about living in san Luis obispo or san clemente being very expensive and having a more comfortable life style in the Midwest.  I have never lived anywhere but southern California.

I am not opposed to relocating to far away from California.  If I can find a NSO job in any surrounding state, it might be a slight enhancement for extended family.

Do you know anything about Exelon as a company and their security department? Justin, I will send you a pm when I have access to a computer as I am typing this on a cell phone.

I would like to stick to a company who has their own security department as it seems it is more secure, however, if anyone can help clarify the pros and cons of both in-house vs. Contract.

Again, thanks in advance!

[wannabeNSO]

Do not hitch your dreams on making enough $$$ to raise a family by working as an entry level NSO at either SONGS or Diablo.  If you are dead set on that occupation take Justin up on his offer to hook you up with an Exelon recruiter.

$75K/year goes much further in Middletown than it does in San Clemente or San Luis Obispo.

I was aware they make very good money but did not know they  make 75k in "middletown" (midwest?)

I know it takes time to gain seniority and top tier pay the longer you stay with any job (ie. Staying 5 years on a job to get vested in retirement/final tier in pay scale.)

What I meant was EVENTUALLY making enough money and a having a  stable secure job to raise a future family so a future wife wouldn't have to work as much to help raise a family.

[JustinHEMI05]

Middletown is in PA (TMI). The guy I would put you in touch with covers Exelon's PA and NJ plants. You would start in the high teens while in training and get bumped to the mid 20's when you "gear up" and stand the watch. Exelon is all in house now, due to the "sleeping guard" fiasco at peach bottom a while back.

[jobsearch]

Justin,

I am interested in the NJ sites as well. What about Midwest (IL, MI, etc...)? PM me and I will give you my email address.

[Nukester]

I work at Diablo and make way more than than 75k, have a family and support them just on my income. Yes San Luis is expensive but you don't have to live there, most of our officers have about a 30minute commute which is not as bad as it may sound to some.

[Shooter34]

Hi all! I'm new here and am looking to get into the security field.
I saw and applied for the security trainee position at the braidwood/braceville Il facility. It seems like all of exelons training is done in house. Does anyone have any advice that could help me, or any details regarding the actual training they provide? Should I be seeking any specific certifications?

[Frank Cable]

Do you have your FOID card?

[Airborne50]

Shooter 34.  I recently just got out of the military and i applied for the security trainee position in braceville 2 days ago.  Did you get a call or email back from Exelon yet?  I am still waiting, I know it will take some time for them to look over the applications.

[jdl5068]

I also am looking to get in as nuclear security, I am a marine with six years and plenty to deal with security and have resume ready if anyone has any contacts or anything like that since it seems like that is the only way to get a job anymore. I am also current with unescorted access and have all nrc courses taken.

[NotImport]

There is only 1 site that Exelon has brought in-house and that is peach bottom. All other sites are union still. Middletown does not offer "75K" to their officers either. Maybe with a boat load of overtime. Maybe Shift supervisor, but not regular officers and probably not even their leads.

If you are interested in exelon just goto their website & they have a list of all their sites & you can search their jobs by department!
www.exeloncorp.com

[jdoug33]

hi everyone,

i was wondering if anyone can help get me in touch with a recruiter or something.  I was looking at the nuclear security side.  Im in the army reserve and just got back from Afghanistan a few months ago so i'm looking for jobs right now.  I'm living in PA but would travel as far down as to the carolinas.  Ive put in my profiles on Exelon and Duke energy sites.

[Nukette]

Try southern California Edison around jan-march. I was just hired as an NSO, maybe another hiring class in beginning of next year.  Edisonjobs.com. They posted it up for an NSO for a week but after three days 400 people applied and they had to pull the ad.  Good luck!

[infantyrman06]

Gentleman,

I am currently wondering if anyone has any information on how to get in as a Nuclear Security Officer. I have recently gotten out of the Army and have a active clearance with PSD, VIP ESCORT, VIP CONVOY OPERATIONS plus combat operations. I am also certified in numerous weapons and have some certificates and college under my belt. I am open for any information and willing to share information the same way I receive it.

Thank You,

Infantryman

[Higgs]

Some power plants use in house security (exelon), so you would just look for open security positions on their jobs sites, IE;

http://careers.exeloncorp.com/go/security-jobs/213459/


Others use contractors, like my company FENOC..., we use Securitas. You would look at the contractor website for openings at whatever nuclear facilities they work for, IE;

https://wfa.kronostm.com/index.jsp?locale=en_US&applicationName=SecuritasNonReqExt&SEQ=positionDetails&POSTING_ID=13907408442



I hope that helps get you started. Unfortunately, neither company is currently hiring armed security officers for their nuke plants. However, the link I provided for securitas will show you where else they're hiring armed security.

I do not know what the other nuclear utilities use for security, so hopefully someone else will chime in with that info.

Good luck!

Justin

[abazzi]

I am also a Law enforcement officer and i am serious in getting into nuclear security. Can you please help me?

[SleepyNuke]

I am also a Law enforcement officer and i am serious in getting into nuclear security. Can you please help me?

What area are you in? Northeast, West coast, Mid west.  I have been in Nuclear Security for almost 4 years now. It's definitely one of the easiest and best paying jobs as far as security/law enforcement stands. As long as you can deal with the boredom you'll fair well. I am in the northeast at one of the Exelon plants. If you want I can give you a heads up when one of the three in our area are hiring next.

[fourteener]

Fort Calhoun Station in Blair, Ne is always looking for the right talent.

[NDE89]

Hello everyone, I figured rather than start a new post I'd inquire here with my similar question. Is there a set time of year that nuclear facilities hire on security trainees or is it an "as needed" job? I understand each facility is required to have x amount of security, though a friend recently mentioned that I was wasting my time checking for position opening on the Exelon website as security is hired almost exclusively during the spring time. I check the site regardless just in case (i live 10 minutes away from NMP so either that location, Fitzpatrick or Ginna are reasonably close).

I also have had a pistol permit app in for 6 months now, is it worth mentioning before it is approved? I have a 100% spotless criminal background so I'm not concerned with a denial. Any input is exponentially appreciated.

[HeavyD]

I know you mentioned Ginna and Fitzpatrick, but for anyone in the south, we (VC Summer) are adding 2 new units.  As a result, we are almost tripling the physical footprint of the station.  Sometime in the next year or so, the station will be adding new NSOs to accommodate the increased area of the station.  Check the link occasionally to find any openings.

http://www.scana.com/en/careers/current-job-openings/

[blackb3lt]

I work security in Illinois for Exelon.  We don't make 75k, closer to 60.  The security departments don't hire annually like a lot of other departments seem to.  They hire year around whenever staffing gets too low.  Talking to a recruiter or even the security managers at the site if you can.  The HR department on site may also be able to help you but my experience with Exelon HR is that they don't really perform the same functions that you would normally expect out of human resources.
ExelonNuclearSecurity.com

[johnsmith0955]

As I casually browsed the whole forum thread, I found that getting into nuclear security showed similar responsibilities to the job where I am in today. https://privatesecurityplanotx.com/