Nuclear Power Reactor Operators

Nuclear Control Operator, Nuclear Reactor Operator, Nuclear Station Operator (NSO), Reactor Operator (RO)

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What they do:
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
On the job, you would:
  • Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
  • Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
  • Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.

Knowledge

Math and Science

  • physics
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • product and service development

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • order or arrange things

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Structured query language SQL Hot Technology In Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology In Demand

Education

high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$115,870
$85,580
$146,100
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