Description
Operate and control nuclear power reactor systems to produce electricity. Position control rods, start up and shut down equipment, monitor and adjust plant parameters, and record data. Follow procedures and implement emergency actions as needed. Troubleshoot abnormalities, identify causes, and recommend or perform corrective actions while ensuring radiological and environmental safety.
- • Adjust controls to position control rods and regulate neutron flux, reactor period, coolant temperature, and power output per procedures.
- • Monitor reactor, turbine, and auxiliary systems via gauges, alarms, and displays to verify normal operation.
- • Start up, change power, and shut down equipment in accordance with operating procedures and shift direction.
- • Respond to abnormalities; diagnose likely causes and take or recommend corrective action.
- • Record operating and surveillance data in logs and plant computer systems.
- • Conduct control room and field inspections and surveillance rounds as required.
- • Operate boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, and other auxiliary equipment as assigned.
- • Note equipment, instrument, or control malfunctions and promptly report to supervision and maintenance.
- • Implement abnormal and emergency operating procedures during off-normal events.
- • Dispatch instructions by radio or intercom to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
- • Participate in nuclear fuel handling preparations, transfers, loading, or unloading under direction.
- • Support radiation surveys of work areas, equipment, and materials using approved instruments.
- • Support collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to verify radioactivity levels and containment.
- • Execute lockout/tagout and clearance steps as authorized to enable safe maintenance.
- • Operate the reactor in compliance with technical specifications, procedures, and radiological protection policies.
- • Recommend actions to correct operational inefficiencies or hazards and minimize environmental impacts.
- • Review and suggest edits to standard operating procedures and shift instructions.
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Energy & Natural Resources
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
