Getting into commercial outages as RP tech.

[Lip2303]

I have been attempting to get into commercial nuclear power as a tech, supervisor, or ALARA specialist for about a year now. I have my BSAST in nuclear engineering technology, NRRPT certification, former Navy ELT, two years DOE as SR tech, year and a half working with nuclear waste processing and disposal as a SR tech.

 I contacted Bartlett for the fall outages and could not get in. I have contacted Bartlett, DZAtlantic, and Shaw for spring outages. I am hearing back that plants aren't saying no to start, but are holding off because of no commercial experience. They are waiting to see if they can fill the spots with other techs that have commercial experience.

I have also interviewed with Exelon, PPL, Next Era, and First Energy for tech/supervisor/ALARA positions with no luck. Plenty of other applications out there too. I believe my biggest weakness is the lack of commercial experience.

Is there any way to make myself more desirable to commercial plants or ways of getting into the outages for experience?? Thanks!

[Protectologist]

Don't forget to contact DeNuke also. For that matter take a look at the list of employers on this site. And do not get discouraged. Persistence is what works. Keep calling the recruiters and reminding them you're available and interested. And don't limit yourself to outage work. There are all kinds of contracts out there.

[Rennhack]

Lip,

It sounds like you are very qualified.  Call Eric or Joey at Bartlett.  Ask THEM what they can do to get you in, and what THEY think you need to do to get into the outages.  THEY know what they need to do to get you employed.  (You know, they get paid to put you to work, so its in their best interest).

They may suggest a Jr RP job, or a 18.1 Sr job.  Some outage seasons are harder to staff than others.  Tell then you can handle the truth, and to tell you what you need to do to be employable, and what their best guess is for any job they can get you hired.

I started as a deconner and worked my way up.  I was NEVER without work, because I would take ANY job.  Call them, tell them you will take anything, and just to with it.

I promise, if you call them, and tell them you will go anywhere and do anything, you will have a paycheck in hand within 3 weeks.

[Lip2303]

Thanks for the response. I have been working with Joey for a few weeks now and he is working hard to get me in somewhere. I hope to get into at least one outage this spring and allow my work to speak for me after that. Hopefully Joey will come through for me. Thanks again!

[61nomad]

Don't take a Jr HP job , it will hurt you in the long run.  You are more than qualified to be a Sr HP at any commercial plant.  It may be a last minute thing but you will get in somewhere.   After your first plant it should be way easier especially if you have references. (hint)

[Content1]

I have been attempting to get into commercial nuclear power as a tech, supervisor, or ALARA specialist for about a year now. I have my BSAST in nuclear engineering technology, NRRPT certification, former Navy ELT, two years DOE as SR tech, year and a half working with nuclear waste processing and disposal as a SR tech.

 I contacted Bartlett for the fall outages and could not get in. I have contacted Bartlett, DZAtlantic, and Shaw for spring outages. I am hearing back that plants aren't saying no to start, but are holding off because of no commercial experience. They are waiting to see if they can fill the spots with other techs that have commercial experience.

I have also interviewed with Exelon, PPL, Next Era, and First Energy for tech/supervisor/ALARA positions with no luck. Plenty of other applications out there too. I believe my biggest weakness is the lack of commercial experience.

Is there any way to make myself more desirable to commercial plants or ways of getting into the outages for experience?? Thanks!

I had a college degree and it still took a year to get my first outage.  I took lower paying outages as a Sr. HP to get a new person in.   She has a 4 year radiation degree and it still took a year to get her first outage as a deconner.  I don't even know to date if she will get the 2nd outage this season.  We are told the same thing:  They are waiting for returnees first to lower their training costs.  You did mention you are and ex-ELT, the highest pecking order of the Navy.  Why have you not tried shipyards like at Newport News.  I had heard ex-navy ELT's are always wanted.  It is better than outages as you get 6 months of training and gain your time to be a senior faster.   Finally, I assume you are trying to be an HP because it is your dream.  They have a saying at the nuclear outages written on the walls:  "Abandon all hope, all ye who enter herein."

[Content1]

Follow up.  The fourth in my party, brand new, just got signed up for her second outage.  If you are having trouble doing it solo, try to get in with a group with someone in the field who knows you and can persoally vouch for you.  That is how she got in.  Her degree did not make much dfference by itself as she came in as a deconner.

[Eric_Bartlett]

I have been attempting to get into commercial nuclear power as a tech, supervisor, or ALARA specialist for about a year now. I have my BSAST in nuclear engineering technology, NRRPT certification, former Navy ELT, two years DOE as SR tech, year and a half working with nuclear waste processing and disposal as a SR tech.

 I contacted Bartlett for the fall outages and could not get in. I have contacted Bartlett, DZAtlantic, and Shaw for spring outages. I am hearing back that plants aren't saying no to start, but are holding off because of no commercial experience. They are waiting to see if they can fill the spots with other techs that have commercial experience.

I have also interviewed with Exelon, PPL, Next Era, and First Energy for tech/supervisor/ALARA positions with no luck. Plenty of other applications out there too. I believe my biggest weakness is the lack of commercial experience.

Is there any way to make myself more desirable to commercial plants or ways of getting into the outages for experience?? Thanks!

LIP2303 - give me  a call 800-225-0385 x1289

Eric

[UncaBuffalo]

I had a college degree and it still took a year to get my first outage.  I took lower paying outages as a Sr. HP to get a new person in.   She has a 4 year radiation degree and it still took a year to get her first outage as a deconner.  I don't even know to date if she will get the 2nd outage this season.  We are told the same thing:  They are waiting for returnees first to lower their training costs.  You did mention you are and ex-ELT, the highest pecking order of the Navy.  Why have you not tried shipyards like at Newport News.  I had heard ex-navy ELT's are always wanted.  It is better than outages as you get 6 months of training and gain your time to be a senior faster.   Finally, I assume you are trying to be an HP because it is your dream.  They have a saying at the nuclear outages written on the walls:  "Abandon all hope, all ye who enter herein."

One vote against on going to a shipyard. Pay is low and lots of BS involved...  Stick with commercial power and you'll get more job satisfaction...and make make more money in the long run. (There may be a few lean years while you are getting established.)

Good luck. 

[Content1]

Before you outright reject the shipyard route, look at the pro's:  You are ex-navy working on a navy ship.  Your training could not be more relevant.  It can take up to 8 years to get the commercial time in for a senior working 2 short outages sesaons per year.  You get paid to be trained as an RP, and you get the hours in a couple of years for a senior.  Most junior jobs are at control points and give you less usable experience for being a senior.  Your job has pay and benefits, especially important if you have a family.  A government job your navy time maybe can role in for seniority time for the government, and you can be home to raise a family rather then the divorce mill for young outage travelers face.  When your child starts walking, you are there seeing it verses watching a video of the events of your family's life.

[HydroDave63]

Before you outright reject the shipyard route, look at the pro's: 

Some of the other pro's include:

1. LtJg's with attitude talking down to you while covering jobs because they don't respect ex-blueshirts-turned-radcon tech

2. Having to shutdown shipyard work and debrief with the ShipSup after invoking the Ship-Shipyard agreement on radiological work authority, and having nub Jg order y'all out of the area while they perform a spill drill.

3. Walking wobbly rain-soaked planks on exterior scaffolding during inclement weather, only about 20' or so above the drydock bottom, to perform various surveys.

4. Taking time off for unpaid furlough days while Congress argues budgets.

5. Having the privilege of using instruments and equipment that were surplused off of a cruiser before you were born, and couldn't even be sold on eBay as a collectible.

[Lip2303]

Thanks everyone for the reply. After talking with Eric, I was educated on what really is going on with me. I am getting time for my ELT and BSAST degree, but commercial plants will only give me 6 months for my DOE experience. It still gets me to SR level, but most of the plants were hesitant. Eric told me once I get the first one, the rest should be much easier. The day after speaking with Eric, I received a call and am now lined up to work McGuire as a SR. I have to say Bartlett came through for me. I cannot thank them enough!

[stownsend]

Nice job Eric,good luck Lip,work hard.

[Rennhack]

Thanks everyone for the reply. After talking with Eric, I was educated on what really is going on with me. I am getting time for my ELT and BSAST degree, but commercial plants will only give me 6 months for my DOE experience. It still gets me to SR level, but most of the plants were hesitant. Eric told me once I get the first one, the rest should be much easier. The day after speaking with Eric, I received a call and am now lined up to work McGuire as a SR. I have to say Bartlett came through for me. I cannot thank them enough!

Eric has always come through for me too.  I'm glad to hear things are starting to come together for you.

[Laundry Man]

Congratulations.  Enjoy Duke Power.
LM