Any questions regarding background clearances.

[Graphic]

Hi all. Fairly new to the site I've just signed up to actually be able to write on these forums. However, I have visited the forums many times and read many threads. That being said I figured I would be somewhat useful if possible. I currently am a background investigator for about 12 or more nuclear plant across the country. Obviously we aren't always hiring in tons of people but we usually have an outage or two going on most times.

I can pretty much answer any questions anyone has regarding gaining access to a nuclear plant. I will say that each site and utility is different. I wish it was the same across the board it just doesn't work that way. I've seen some people get denied for one thing and then get cleared for the exact same thing in other cases so I can't guarantee.

However, I am willing to help anyone with any questions they may have. If I can't answer the question for you I will find out the answer.

Goodluck folks!

[sovbob]

Welcome to Nukeworker!

Subject Matter Experts (SME) are always in high demand.

[JustinHEMI05]

Thank you and welcome!!!!

[Graphic]

Well I'll be here to help anyway I can! Just a new poster long time reader!

Have a good one.

[Irish_Wertzy]

Can you take a look at my post and provide any feedback?

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,26572.0.html

[SkyDriver]

I am a I&C engineer doing Cyber work and am usually required to be in the critical group

I have a doper sister who stole a couple of handguns from my elderly parents house.  Myself and a brother wouldn't let it go.

Now we are served with a bogus temporary restraining order by the sister stating we harassed the Mother.  We have Lawyer-ed up and the fantastical allegations will be dismissed.  There were no threats and minimal, courteous communication (all well documented).

I am going to a new plant before this will work it's way through the hearing process

Is this likely to affect my UA and Critical group clearance?

[retired nuke]

As always when dealing with security clearance issues:
Be forthright
Be honest
Have documentation
Have references that can back up your facts

In your case, if the issue isn't completely solved, have your lawyer's number handy (and sue the wee crackhead for your lost wages if necessary)

Good luck. It is hard having family members with addiction / mental health issues. Very hard to fix, very little compassion from others about it.

[germanjawcracker]

I had friends fired in the Duke system for a Per Diem scandal with DZ Atlantic. Now they are all banned from Duke for life. Will this keep them out of other nuclear plants in the US. I heard it was DZ keeping them out and then I have heard it WAS the NRC and then Duke. Who has the final say in this. There was a lawsuit against DZ Atlantic about this issue and was won by the workers but they still cannot gain access.

[GoNe_FiSsIoN]

If anyone is watching this thread, i have a question. In the PHQ, it stated to list all violations (excluding minor traffic violations). I have a ticket from two years ago that was a minor moving violation, HOV lane with one occupant, and did not list. Was I following the instructions on the sheet by not listing, or should I have put it on there anyway? Will this cause any concern for me getting access?

[GoNe_FiSsIoN]

I am going to answer my own question on here, just in case anyone has the same answer. I called Fleet Access with the same question and stated that minor moving violations were okay to leave off the questionnaire. They were more interested in things like Reckless Driving and DUI tickets.

[Rerun]

I know at the Utilities they will say anything over 200 dollars. But I list everything.

[DarkWingDuck]

If anyone is monitoring this I have a question. I finished filling out the paperwork for my clearance for dominion on 3/2. shortly after I got calls / text from the people I listed a references saying that they had been contacted. Then yesterday (3/7) I got a call from the investigator saying that they were finalizing my background check, and they just needed a little more information about something. Then at the end of the call he said that was all they needs and would be sending it off to dominion.

So my question is, since I've seen on other post how long these things sometimes take, should I be concerned with how short the check seemed to take. or are these things done in stages by more than one person.

[Rerun]

Nah I have seen it take a matter of days and a matter of a few weeks.

[DarkWingDuck]

thank you for the reply and calming my nerves a bit. I still haven't heard from dominion yet, should I expect them to call relatively soon if the investigator said he was essentially finished?

[Rerun]

LOL what security does and what HR does are two totally different worlds. But is it a nuclear site?

[DarkWingDuck]

yeah, millstone.

[Rerun]

Its weird they are doing the investigation prior to you actually starting the job. But shortly after getting Unescorted Access you should hear from them.

[DarkWingDuck]

just for clarification, I have received a contingent (based on the outcome of the background check) offer letter. So I have heard from HR about on-boarding we are, from my point of view, just waiting on the background check.

[Rerun]

I would expect a call as soon as the background check is complete.

[Ksheed]

If anyone is monitoring this I have a question. I finished filling out the paperwork for my clearance for dominion on 3/2. shortly after I got calls / text from the people I listed a references saying that they had been contacted. Then yesterday (3/7) I got a call from the investigator saying that they were finalizing my background check, and they just needed a little more information about something. Then at the end of the call he said that was all they needs and would be sending it off to dominion.

So my question is, since I've seen on other post how long these things sometimes take, should I be concerned with how short the check seemed to take. or are these things done in stages by more than one person.

The time it takes to complete your background check is directly affected by the amount of information that has to be verified. If you have not moved or changed employers often, that shortens it. If you have not been out of the US recently or had arrest records that shortens it as well. Providing references that will answer the phone call and/or return calls when messages are left will greatly reduce the time it takes.

If it was a quick denial you would know by now.

[GLW]

The time it takes to complete your background check is directly affected by the amount of information that has to be verified........

so you would think,...

[jaygee1911]

Hello Graphic, or anyone else monitoring, please chime in.  I currently work for a Contractor (Fluor) in Procurement.  I've been here for nearly five years, and am thinking about taking an offer to mobilize to Plant Vogle Westinghouse for what would be my first nuclear job. 

I've had a checkered criminal history (all more than five years ago-except one PI) which contains dui's, public intoxications, and a possession of marijuana.  Multiple arrests (about 9) - all alcohol related with the exception of the POM.  Upon my arrest in December 2011 for Public Intoxication, I enrolled in 30 day inpatient rehab, and have been sober since.  I am able to produce the certificate of completion for rehab, and have references as to my sobriety.  Do I have a snowball's chance of getting on the Westinghouse site?  Many thanks in advance for your time.

[Ksheed]

Hello Graphic, or anyone else monitoring, please chime in.  I currently work for a Contractor (Fluor) in Procurement.  I've been here for nearly five years, and am thinking about taking an offer to mobilize to Plant Vogle Westinghouse for what would be my first nuclear job. 

I've had a checkered criminal history (all more than five years ago-except one PI) which contains dui's, public intoxications, and a possession of marijuana.  Multiple arrests (about 9) - all alcohol related with the exception of the POM.  Upon my arrest in December 2011 for Public Intoxication, I enrolled in 30 day inpatient rehab, and have been sober since.  I am able to produce the certificate of completion for rehab, and have references as to my sobriety.  Do I have a snowball's chance of getting on the Westinghouse site?  Many thanks in advance for your time.

http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/access-authorization/faq.html

It won't be easy, but not impossible.

I have a DUI/felony/drug arrest or conviction on my record. Will this prevent me from getting access authorization from a nuclear power plant? What if the offense was five years or more ago?

The fact that you have a criminal conviction on your record does not alone prevent you from obtaining access authorization to a nuclear power plant. There are no specific criminal offenses that are disqualifying. However, licensees may not deny unescorted access solely on an arrest that is more than one year old and for which there is no information about the disposition of the case. Similarly, the final determination on access authorization cannot be based on an arrest that ended in a dismissal or an acquittal. But your criminal history information will be considered by the licensee along with all of the other information obtained during the criminal investigation when making a final determination about whether or not to grant you unescorted access to a nuclear power plant. The final determination of trustworthiness and reliability is based on reviewing and evaluating the background investigation, psychological assessment and drug and alcohol test.

Different plants, different rules/standards.

Can a plant have higher standards for access authorization than outlined in the NRC regulations?

Yes. A licensee may impose more stringent standards for access authorization as long as the licensee maintains its compliance with NRC regulations.

Hard to say for sure unless you speak to someone familiar with Sothern Company's Access Authorization Procedures.

Do all plants have the same access authorization standards?

All nuclear plants are required to be in compliance with the NRC regulations that apply to access authorization, but their procedures and standards may vary within the constraints of the NRC regulations.

If all you stated is true, the one thing you have on your side is time. Your employer already has people onsite and familiar with the specific requirements. Someone within your organization would be your best course of information on this topic. If you do decide to apply remember to provide all the info that is asked; no more, no less. Above all else be completely honest in all you provide. Deceit or the appearance of will get you denied in the blink of an eye.

[Fkoller59]

I have a question about questions they ask previous employers I was stonewalled on a issue and resigned my position with out notice to go back to construction never had a issue with any employer and this one blemish i received a letter that they accepted my resignation and still saying I was in violation of a policy I hope does not hurt me any help would help

[Cyberfind]

After a year and a half from previous job (and "Last Access") now looking at working Nuclear Sites once again. In that last job I had a misdemeanor charge, months before I left and not related to my reason for leaving. In the PHQ Update form it is clear I am only required to discuss legal issues "since" last access (I had a misdemeanor DUI with auto accident/leaving scene since). I will be listing the DUI but just worried about not discussing details on the earlier misdemeanor. Do I REALLY not need to document it on the PHQ Update?