Reactor Facility Manager

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

The UCI Nuclear Reactor Facility, established in 1968 and operational since 1969, houses a Mark I TRIGA reactor capable of 250 kW steady state operation and pulses up to 1.21 GW. Our facility is primarily used for neutron activation analysis, determining elemental composition of samples non-destructively for up to 74 different elements. We serve educational, commercial, and industrial customers while supporting the university's mission through unique research and analysis methods. We are seeking an experienced project manager and engineering professional with in-depth understanding of the nuclear field to independently perform the full range of responsibilities in our Nuclear Reactor Facility. This role requires compliance with campus and Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, broad job knowledge, and the ability to analyze diverse problems and determine effective solutions.

Requirements

Theoretical and working knowledge of radiation and radioactivity, including appropriate safety procedures.
Knowledge of theory and practical aspects of laboratory instrumentation; troubleshooting approaches; normal maintenance and surveillance procedures for equipment; start-up, shut-down, and safety procedures; knowledge of typical analog and digital instrument requirements.
Ability to assess equipment malfunctions and expertise required for repair.
Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations.
Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Ability to interact, train, and work successfully with a variety of individuals at different skill levels.
Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions.
Ability to lead and influence others.
Organizational skills to facilitate the use of many different pieces of equipment by different individuals.
Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work.
Thorough knowledge necessary to apply principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments.
Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards.
Understanding of local, state and federal nuclear regulations.
NRC Senior Reactor Operator license
A minimum of 5 years of experienceproject or facility management

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 5 years of experiencein nuclear industry

Responsibilities

Independently responsible to operate, troubleshoot and report on experimental equipment and associated computer systems for the Nuclear Reactor Facility.
Review, test, approve, develop, schedule, and assist with experiments in consultation with internal and external personnel, and within the scope of local operating procedures, license requirements, state and federal regulations.
Annually review approved experiments for continued validity and relevance.
Schedule and operate the gamma irradiator and all other facility equipment.
Perform procedures and classification of experiments using the gamma irradiator, reactor, and associated equipment.
Develop and program computer software used to predict neutron activation results of samples to be irradiated and analyze the resultant gamma ray spectra generated from an irradiation.
Handle hazardous chemicals in building detector systems, performing neutron activation analysis, wet chemistry.
Perform experiments related to the quality of the services provided by the reactor facility, such as neutron flux measurements, spectral analysis, and dose rates of the different irradiations possible in the facility.
Implement computer programs for microcontrollers and workstations to perform various tasks, ranging from radiation counting, motor control, and security systems.
Track and maintain inventories of chemicals, isotopes, and security items in the reactor facility and associated laboratories.
Procure typical and atypical supplies for the reactor facility operations and research.
Facilitate shipping of federally regulated and restricted materials such as highly radioactive isotopes, for use as tracers in various industrial processes.
Identify requirements, obtain quotes, and arrange procurement of equipment from manufacturers for various systems.
Verify and report on scope of work as well as cost and equipment verification for proposed work in grant applications in support of the reactor facility and research conducted within.
Independently works on full scope of special projects at the reactor facility as directed by the Reactor Oversight Committee and in support of the strategic plan of the reactor facility.
Maintain and improve the general condition of the reactor facility in order to better perform research and maintenance activities.
Create and assess procedures and equipment.
Plan and perform periodic and reactive maintenance tasks.
Perform corrective maintenance and troubleshooting on reactor core systems and support systems, such as control rod drives, conductivity channels, fuel temperature measurement channels, reactor power channels, gamma spectroscopy systems, irradiation facilities, radiation monitoring systems, and the reactor control console.
Perform radiological safety monitoring tasks and training for all activities and in general maintenance of the facility.
Check and calibrate radiation monitoring equipment for airborne, portable, and fixed radiation monitors.
Develop and perform procedures for calibration and periodic maintenance on the radiation monitoring and safety systems of the reactor facility, such as the continuous air monitors, area radiation monitors, environmental dosimetry, and monthly and quarterly items.
Review and revise the emergency plan, as well as coordinate training exercises and performance of the emergency plan.
Provide guidance and instruction to facility users on the topics of nuclear related materials and processes used to perform radiation related research.
Train and mentor users of the reactor facility and support their experimental work.
Educate and train users in the use of facility equipment in order to safely conduct operations and research.
Work with faculty to develop and administer relevant courses such as the Reactor Operator Training course, CHEM 133/133L, and CHEM 252, and provide technical support for laboratory courses.
Provide instruction to reactor operators and trainees in practical training and preparation for initial federal licensure or upgrades thereof.
Perform outreach activities of nuclear information and materials to the general public.
Schedule and conduct tours of the facility to promote education in the physical sciences, engineering and nuclear science in particular.
Create and update documentation for the reactor facility, including startups, shutdowns, irradiation facility usage, experiment performance, support systems, emergency planning, qualifications, examinations, schematics and diagrams, and maintenance.
Maintain website for the reactor facility in order to promote outreach and information sharing with the public and potential users.
Perform billing and pricing of services and goods provided by the facility to on-campus and external customers.
Advise Facility Oversight Committee on billing strategy and industry standards of pricing and assessment of rates.
Process, complete, and execute policies and procedures with sales and services agreements.
Coordinate and collaborate with Physical Sciences Dean's Office finance and campus Accounting for facility financial operational needs.
Partner with and support the research reactor community by exchanging expertise and equipment for the function and betterment of the facility.
Work with outside vendors to provide maintenance and surveillance activities on certain equipment, such as the five-ton crane and ventilation systems, in the reactor facility.
Participate in conferences related to the operation and research performed at the reactor facility worldwide.
Develop, implement, and maintain a general safety program for the reactor facility as part of the Safety on Site program of EH&S, attending periodic meetings and training events related to workspace safety, chemical hygiene, and others.
Serve on the radiation safety committee, meeting quarterly to discuss radiation safety related items on campus, approve new users of radioactive materials, and renew authorizations of radioactive materials use.
Serve as liaison with facilities management to ensure availability and access to proper services (power, water, etc.).
Ensure users adhere to administrative rules, policies, and operating procedures for work conducted in the facility and operations of the reactor.
Bring concerns about conduct to the attention of the Facility Oversight Committee.
Maintain regulatory compliance of the facility with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission through inspections, documentation, and reporting of abnormal or unusual occurrences related to the reactor facility.
Enforce compliance with federal and campus regulations from users and visitors of the facility by bringing concerns about conduct to the attention of the Facility Oversight Committee for possible sanctions or remediation.
Facilitate licensing (and termination of licenses) for personnel as reactor operators or senior reactor operators by training, examination (practical and written), executing background checks, and communicating with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Prepare, review, and submit for approval individuals for the supervision and operation of the reactor.
Operate a radiation safety program for the reactor facility in compliance with radiation safety protocols and regulations established by EH&S, the Radiation Safety Committee, the Reactor Operations Committee, California’s Department of Public Health, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Create, maintain, and review facility records, including fuel inventory, personnel radiation exposure, and committee meetings, in order to comply with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as insurance company requirements.
Prepare and submit proposed changes to the facility procedures and technical specifications of the federal license of the facility.
Schedule, coordinate, develop and execute drills for compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations on emergency preparedness and planning.
Prepare annual reports on the operations, maintenance, research, waste generation, procedures, facility, environmental and personnel monitoring for the Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the on campus Reactor Operations Committee.
Work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to maintain compliance with federal regulations for the operation, maintenance, and improvements of all aspects of the reactor facility.
Coordinate and schedule meetings for the Reactor Oversight Committee (Chemistry Department) and Reactor Operations Committee (campus-wide) in order to provide university oversight for the reactor facility.
Facilitate the Reactor Operations Committee, which is mandated by the facility’s federal license to review and audit facility operations to assure that the facility is operated in a manner consistent with public safety and within the terms of the license.
Provide regular updates to members of the Reactor Oversight Committee about the reactor facility on different matters, such as strategic planning, security concerns, financial status, and facility utilization.
Facilitate strategic planning for the reactor facility in order to improve the operating status, research impact, and utilization in coordination with the strategic pillars of the university.