Summer Scholars – General Engineer (Developmental)

Overview

The role is situated within the Office of the Technical Director at the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. This Board, operating independently within the Executive Branch, is dedicated to supervising all actions impacting nuclear safety within the Department of Energy’s (DOE) nuclear weapons complex. Additionally, it is tasked with advising the Secretary of Energy on specific measures that should be implemented to guarantee the sufficient protection of the public and workers.

Responsibilities

This role is designed for professional development. As a Summer Scholar – General Engineer (Developmental), the individual undertakes various technical tasks within the Office of the Technical Director. Reporting to the Deputy Technical Director and working under the guidance of an assigned technical staff member, the incumbent executes fundamental professional assignments with close supervision.

The incumbent keeps the supervisor informed about progress, challenges encountered, and proposed actions. Performance is evaluated based on technical accuracy, clarity, the validity of recommendations, timeliness, and effectiveness in achieving objectives.

Interactions involve the Board’s administrative, technical, and legal staff, Board members, contractors, and DOE officials. These contacts aim to address problems, gather information, and coordinate discussions and exchanges of technical information related to the incumbent’s assignments. Typically, these interactions revolve around technical safety-related issues.

The duties of the DNFSB Summer Scholar – General Engineer (Developmental) include:

1. Reviewing safety basis documentation.
2. Research design, operational, and functional requirements within the DOE directives system or national consensus standards.
3. Conducting calculations and computer modeling of processes and systems at defense nuclear facilities.
4. Visiting defense nuclear facilities for discussions with site technical personnel on safety issues.
5. Drafting reports that document the outcomes of reviews, discussions, calculations, and modeling.
6. Briefing the Board on the results.
7. Performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment:

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Will be required to receive favorable drug screening results.
• Must provide resume.
• Must provide an official transcript showing 3.4 GPA or higher.

Qualifications

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices;
• Ability to plan and organize work and coordinate with other engineering, science personnel and mathematics majors;
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and maintain good working relationships; and
• Ability to acquire and apply new knowledge and skills; use of training, feedback, or other opportunities for self-learning and development. 

Education

• This position has a positive education requirement. Therefore, you MUST be currently enrolled in an undergraduate engineering, mathematics or science degree program in a college or university with at least one program accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application.  Ideally, you will be a rising senior in an undergraduate program, but other circumstances will be considered.  An unofficial transcript is the acceptable form of education documentation. If no proof of continued enrollment is provided, you will not be eligible for this internship.
• Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website:  http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.

Disciplines:  Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Systems or Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Seismology, Materials Science, or any related academic discipline, such as Physics or Chemistry.

Additional information

• The position does not require or confer civil service Competitive Status.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. 
• If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
• DRUG TESTING: The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety board (DNFSB) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the DNFSB’s suitability assessment, all candidates selected for a position within the DNFSB are required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
• The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a satisfactory background check to be eligible for employment at the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board.
• The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation and/or disability.
• This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
• Moving expenses are not authorized.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• These positions have a targeted effective date of Spring/Summer 2024. The tour of duty is full-time.