CGS: Getting in

[charly13243]

Hello all.  Nuke ET 6-and-out-er getting out in April 2014 stationed in GA looking for any information on what can be done to get in specifically at Columbia Generating Station. 

Trying to get the old "foot in door."  Beside my time in the navy, I have no relevant education or experience.  Were I single, the focus would be going to school and then getting into nuke-ops.

Seems like a large % of forum posters are acclimated to the SE or NE regions, making CGS kind of the odd plant out.
The last post that had any info on CGS was about a year ago, in the facility info thread.  Since I had little luck there,
I decided to try and revive the subject here.  Even sent PM's to some users who knew about CGS, as evidenced by their very old posts and nothing.
I have read many instances in this forum where someone did some research, made a post and got some answers he needed from some very experienced guys who are here to help.  Hoping that will be the case here.  THANK YOU in advance.

EO is preferred but willing to start anywhere and work up. Already
emailed HR and they just sent me their recruiter's number.  Emailed him, politely describing my
background and situation and that I'd be a good fit for certain openings in the future.  Also emailed the
ops training manager.  Neither has not responded and it has been weeks.
If that was a mistake, please tell me how that can be corrected, if it can be at this point.
I've also applied for two positions there via company website, I&C Tech and mechanic.

My interest in CGS is due simply to the fact that I am originally from the NW region.  Half the reason my spouse,
kids and I are choosing to get out of the military is a growing need to be closer to family.
We are open to and have done research/applied on non-nuclear options such as cogen, wind, etc., but nuclear
shows the most promise/job security.  If the previous statement is wrong, please do not hesitate to tell
me I'm dead-ass wrong and need to look somewhere else. 

Am I significantly hurting myself by limiting my nuke-ops search to one plant alone?
Is my EAOS(end of contract) just too far in the future to be sending out resumes and making phone calls to this place?
Will my geographical distance from the area hurt my chances even though I'm moving out west regardless?

Any info including advice, contact numbers, emails would be greatly appreciated even if it's in "a-hole" format.  I'm fluent in A-hole. 
Have a great day.

Josh

 

[Higgs]

Yes, you're too far from EAOS. Yes, you're hurting yourself by focusing on one plant. If their hiring cycle doesn't line up with your EAOS, youre shit out of luck.

That said, a six and outer with no other experience and education isn't the shoe in that it used to be. With power plants shutting down and experienced people looking for work, and more and more college grads with no where else to turn, competition is high.

Justin

[Higgs]

Also, just keep an eye on their job boards.

http://www.energy-northwest.com/whoweare/joinourteam/Pages/Careers.aspx

If there's an opening that you're qualified for, apply. The people that you emailed aren't going to respond in this day and age, to random emails from people not "in the system."

Justin

[charly13243]

If their hiring cycle doesn't line up with your EAOS, youre shit out of luck. 

Exactly right.  I was hoping this post would attract someone who knows about their hiring cycle, although that far into the future no one
probably knows.
Also, I've seen you offer in other posts to critique resumes.  Would you mind if I pm you mine?

By the way, one of the company guys I emailed actually reviewed my linkedin profile.  Will be trying to connect.

Oh and thanks for taking the time to reply all together.

Josh

[Higgs]

Sure you can PM me for my email address.

Justin

[charly13243]

pm sent.  no address necessary.  Thanks.

[turkeypoint1967]

You might also contact a tech named xxxx xxxxx.  He seems to have the inside track.





Please PM the name we prefer not to use names in the public forum:

7. Peoples name's: It's a bad idea to use them, they lead to law suits. Some names are already censored because of this. Don't use names in stories or messages that could in any way be taken wrong.

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,4700.0.html

[hamsamich]

Are you going to be living around there?  They bring locals in for laborer type contract jobs.  It is a great way to meet people who could hire you on later full time in the dept. you want to work in.  They usually bring in some newbies every outage.  I don't know who the company is or who to contact but you could probably find that.

[Marlin]

You might also contact a tech named xxxx xxxxx.  He seems to have the inside track.





Please PM the name we prefer not to use names in the public forum:

7. Peoples name's: It's a bad idea to use them, they lead to law suits. Some names are already censored because of this. Don't use names in stories or messages that could in any way be taken wrong.

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,4700.0.html

for being helpful 

[UncaBuffalo]

Are you going to be living around there?  They bring locals in for laborer type contract jobs.  It is a great way to meet people who could hire you on later full time in the dept. you want to work in.  They usually bring in some newbies every outage.  I don't know who the company is or who to contact but you could probably find that.

The laborers used to be direct hire temporary employees for Energy Northwest.  I assume that's still how they are doing it.

[NukeLDO]

CGS is looking to hire approximately 15 EOs for their next class.  The announcement will hit the job board sometime in Jan with an anticipated class-up in June.  They are looking for a combination of folks, some with nuclear technology degrees (AS) and some ex-navy.  If your EAOS is right around the class-up date, you might fit the bill.  For those looking to get in, keep your eye on the Energy Northwest website. 

[Bonds 25]

The laborers used to be direct hire temporary employees for Energy Northwest.  I assume that's still how they are doing it.

That is correct....however our next outage isnt until spring of 2015.

[Fermi2]

CGS is looking to hire approximately 15 EOs for their next class.  The announcement will hit the job board sometime in Jan with an anticipated class-up in June.  They are looking for a combination of folks, some with nuclear technology degrees (AS) and some ex-navy.  If your EAOS is right around the class-up date, you might fit the bill.  For those looking to get in, keep your eye on the Energy Northwest website. 

Is Schaak still out there?

[Bonds 25]

Im assuming you are talking about Mike Schaack.....and yes. Equipment Operator

[Fermi2]

Tell Mike that Bru from A1W D said hello. Mike could do scary imitations of nearly every alarm in the plant.

[Bonds 25]

Yeah....he is still performing those imitations on a frequent basis.

[dreamingthedream]

I too am looking at CGS as a potential option. I currently work in Mechanical Maintenance in a nuke out east and I'm considering a change. What's the atmosphere like at Columbia? Do they hire from other nuclear operating companies? This would be a long move for me and my family, but it would position us closer to family in the region, which is very important to me and my wife. Any information that anyone could offer will be greatly appreciated.

[cypher89]

I believe our next Equipment operator class will be posted to hire sometime the first half of 2014.

[charly13243]

Hey all.  A lot has happened since I started this topic over five months ago. 
ENW recently published that EO opening that everyone has been saying was coming, so I applied. 
My EAOS is in April but I start terminal 2/20.  Wondering if there is anything I can do or anyone I can contact to help my chances.

Thank you in advance.

Josh