As a mechanical engineering B.S. and nuclear engineering M.S. graduate interested in operations, I want to fully understand application of the role of Shift Technical Advisor, and how its need is met in commercial plants. My goals in employment are applying my education in practical use, and putting myself in a situation for future career advancement, and I think this is a great way to do both. I’ve heard differing (and sometimes conflicting) views - even in past posts on this board - so I’ll post my understanding of it, and look to the forum for any critiques if someone feels I’ve misconstrued the process.
It is my understanding that the STA position originated post-TMI in an attempt to integrate engineering expertise on shift. Qualifications for the STA were offered by INPO (reference 1 below). The NRC offered two options to assimilate the STA position as part of shifts (reference 2); one option involved the training and use of dedicated STAs as additions to shifts, the second involved one of the two SRO license-holders on shift being a degreed engineer (or equivalent). The NRC preferred the latter, as there were concerns that dedicated STAs would not be fully integrated members of the shift.
Presently, examples of either option exist at plants today. Specific to my situation, it is my understanding that I have several avenues to progress toward the roles that apply STA skills, examples of which I’ve seen posted on utility career pages:
1. Find a plant that utilizes dedicated STAs, and attempt to hire in for that position. Qualifications for the STA position include the ABET degree (which I have) and 18 months of experience (per references 3 & 4), which I would receive over the course of a typical 18 month training regimen for STA certification.
2. Find a plant that utilizes the dual-role SRO/STA and offers full training toward instant-SRO licensure (ie something outside of accelerated schedules). Of the 3 year experience requirement, one year credit is accomplished via my prior degree, 18 months is accomplished via the typical SRO full training regimen, and the remaining 6 months would be met through plant rotations commencing upon my hire but prior to the SRO training class. (For the purposes of this post, assume that I do in fact have the character assertiveness to succeed in an SRO position, and am not an engineer that has to crunch numbers in the corner…).
3. Find an entry job as a plant engineer or NLO, and attempt to bid into instant-SRO from there. My concerns here would be the time it takes to see that opportunity, and possibly extended time with duties and roles I am not passionate about (more so in the case of the the salaried engineer). If anyone has any validation or counterargument to my worries here, I'd like to hear them.
Thanks for taking the time, and I appreciate any replies.
REFERENCES
Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, “Nuclear Power Plant Shift Technical Advisor – Recommendations for Position Description, Qualifications, Education, and Training.” Appendix C of NUREG-0737; 04/30/1980.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr0737/final/sr0737.pdfNuclear Regulatory Commission, “Policy Statement on Engineering Expertise on Shift.” 50 FR 43621; 10/28/1985.
http://www.nrc.gov.edgesuite.net/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/policy/50fr43621.pdfAmerican Nuclear Society, “Selection, Qualification, and Training of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants.” ANSI/ANS-3.1-1993 R1999.
electronic link not found
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Qualification and Training of Personnel for Nuclear Power Plants.” Regulatory Guide 1.8 Rev 3; May 2000.
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/reg-guides/power-reactors/active/01-008/