AO/NLO vs. Instrument & Controls Tech

[wokrdan]

I've come across a few postings for instrument and control tech positions and was wondering if anyone could elaborate if it is a step up or down from an AO/NLO position. Anyone who has experience in these positions, could you tell me the pros and cons of each such as hours, pay, experience, etc between the two? I am a nuke ET w/ 10 years experience, and am looking for civilian positions.

[Smooth Operator]

Its not a step up or down in the purist sense. They are two completely different jobs each with their own distinct career path.

Do you want the career of an RO or Reactor Technician? Do you want to operate or calibrate?

[retired nuke]

I&C tech - Dayshift with plenty of OT available....

Operator - shift work, with limited OT available.

Operator can lead to upper management. But as the contest rules state - many will enter, but few will win....

I&C techs that I know are generally less stressed than their operator counterparts.... no license quals, less backshift to upset family routines. But the Operators I know are more ambitious, so you have that. I know some I&C that used to be operators (changed before license).

It's different jobs.. and career paths.... 

[IRLFAN]

I've been an instrument tech for over 26 years.  In that time we have had many operators transfer from NLO to tech, and only one the other way.

Our techs are paid more than NLO's for the simple reason that it is more difficult to find qualified techs than it is to find operators.  That is not intended as a slam against operators, it's just a fact.

[ski2313]

What's the starting pay and maxed out pay for a typical I&C tech at your plant? How about Ops?

[MacGyver]

I've been an instrument tech for over 26 years.  In that time we have had many operators transfer from NLO to tech, and only one the other way.

Our techs are paid more than NLO's for the simple reason that it is more difficult to find qualified techs than it is to find operators.  That is not intended as a slam against operators, it's just a fact.

None taken.

What's the starting pay and maxed out pay for a typical I&C tech at your plant? How about Ops?

Some plants pay the I&C more than the licensed RO plant operators.  In some cases much more.  (e.g. Southern Nuclear comes to mind.)

[Smooth Operator]

If your goal is to be a tech until retirement, by all means go I and C instead of NLO. I could not imagine desiring to get beat up as an NLO for 20 plus years.

[wokrdan]

If I were to go into an ops position, how hard would it be to transfer to a tech job at the same plant? Is it just waiting for a spot to open up and apply, or are there usually contractual obligations?

[HydroDave63]

If your goal is to be a tech until retirement, by all means go I and C instead of NLO. I could not imagine desiring to get beat up as an NLO for 20 plus years.

Unless that lucky tech causes one or more of those (Reactor) "Trip and Cals" incorrectly!