BRANCH CHIEF (GG-15)

Summary

These positions are located in the Office of the Chief Nuclear Reactor Inspector. The supervisor is Ray McKinley - King of Prussia, PA; Gregory Suber or Greg Warnick - Atlanta, GA. This position is subject to Confidential Financial Disclosure reporting requirements and security ownership restriction reporting requirements. Selectee must successfully complete a two-year supervisory trial period, if not previously completed. Multiple selections may be made.

Duties

As a Branch Chief in CNRI, you will manage and oversee the NRC's inspection, oversight and regulatory programs, including oversight of operator licensing program activities when assigned, at assigned nuclear power plant facilities. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Directly overseeing NRC inspection activities, supporting the inspection, oversight, safety, and regulatory policy for operating reactors and programs of the Branch. Directly managing Branch emergency response activities as assigned in the Regional Emergency Response Plan, ensuring readiness and responding promptly and appropriately to plant events and significant conditions. Managing the handling of allegations involving the tracking of allegation status, recommendations to allegations panels regarding actions to address the allegation, inspections and supporting investigations associated with the allegations. Conducting briefings for NRC management, Public Affairs Officers, and State Liaison Officers to provide detailed information concerning activities, occurrences, and events of significance. Planning for and conducting interactions (including Annual Assessment Meetings) with interested and/or concerned members of the public and local government agencies regarding activities at assigned plants. Implementing organizational change; supervising employees; facilitating resolution of policy, technical, and administrative issues; and planning and executing activities within the Branch's scope of responsibility and assisting the Division Director in the development and maintenance of operating plans, infrastructure documents, and policies. Administering NRC human resources programs relative to employees under your supervision, to include performance management, staffing, and providing guidance, mentoring, coaching, and training for staff as needed.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for this position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as experience that demonstrates the potential to provide effective leadership and to assure organizational effectiveness in the areas of work processes and resource and equipment utilization, as well as a thorough knowledge of facility management, engineering methods, techniques and practices associated with reactor testing, maintenance, engineering, and operational programs. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrated ability to provide technical and programmatic leadership and to effectively utilize human resources. Ability to lead technical staff, consistent with the NRC LEAD Framework, as demonstrated by success in formulating program goals and objectives, planning program activities, establishing methods for evaluating the effectiveness of work programs or procedures, and reviewing and evaluating technical findings and conclusions. Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate, both orally and in writing, to NRC staff and management, licensees, other government agencies, elected officials, the public, press and industry groups on varied complex and sometimes controversial technical problems. Demonstrated knowledge of technical review and assessment techniques in response to events, enforcement actions, and allegations that is sufficient to provide support to investigation, special agency inspection and emergency response. Demonstrated knowledge of NRC regulations, regulatory guides, industry standards, NRC Manual chapters, and the NRC inspection program. Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear power plant operations and engineering disciplines required to identify, analyze and develop conclusions regarding assessments of plant performance. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. The NRC encourages applicants to provide job experience details in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements.

Education

Candidates must possess a bachelor's or higher degree in professional engineering or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating a thorough knowledge of principles, theories, and practices in the field of engineering. Additional information regarding educational requirements may be found here: OPM Qualification Standards for Professional Engineering Position. You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college and/or university transcripts with your application. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How you will be evaluated

When the application process is complete, your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the job requirements. Your application will be evaluated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the job requirements. You must respond to all required application questions. If you are among the top candidates for this position, your application will be referred to the hiring manager for possible interview and selection based upon the number of available vacancies to be filled in each office. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a concise resume that directly relates to this position.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 11/05/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13091397. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Other information

This position may be eligible for telework in accordance with agency policy. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.