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Licensed And Non-Licensed Reactor Operator
Industry: Energy
Area: Nuclear
Licensed Reactor Operators often report to the senior reactor operator who is responsible for operating a reactor's controls. Reactor operators move control rods, start and stop equipment, implement operations procedures, conduct surveillance tests and record data in logs. Qualifying for a reactor operator usually requires five years experience as a non-licensed operator, one year of training, and passing an NRC exam. Non-Licensed Operators are operators who work in the plant in support of reactor operators and senior reactor operators, assisting according to their direction. Non-licensed operators open and close valves, electrical breakers and other devices as well as directly monitor plant equipment performance.
Work Settings
A nuclear power plant is not all that different from coal, oil, or gas fired plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), part of our government, licenses the use of nuclear material and inspects users to make sure they follow the rules for safety.
Education
The minimum requirement is a high school diploma supplemented by some amount of relevant experience (previous U.S. Navy service in nuclear ratings is very helpful). Most employers prefer trainees with two to four years of college.
Job Outlook
Operators are expected to have employment growth about as fast as the average for all occupations though 2014.
Salary
Salaries vary widely. Entry level workers can have a starting pay of $22/hour per hour. Journey-level workers can earn $38/hour and senior-level technicians can earn $40/hour.
Work Schedule
Most operators work a standard 40-hour week. However, they work on a rotating schedule of 8-12 hours as 24 hour coverage is needed. During refueling outages (every 2 years), everyone works overtime 12 hours/day 6 days a week for 30 days.