ML21229A139
| ML21229A139 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/17/2021 |
| From: | Laura Dudes, Jack Giessner, David Lew, Scott(Ois) Morris Region 1 Administrator, Region 2 Administrator, Region 3 Administrator, Region 4 Administrator |
| To: | NRC Region 4 |
| References | |
| Download: ML21229A139 (3) | |
Text
August 17, 2021 MEMORANDUM TO:
NRC Resident Inspectors Regional Branch Chiefs Division Directors FROM:
David C. Lew Regional Administrator, Region I Laura A. Dudes Regional Administrator, Region II Jack B. Giessner Regional Administrator, Region III Scott A. Morris Regional Administrator, Region IV
SUBJECT:
RESIDENT INSPECTOR TELEWORK GUIDANCE (POST RE-ENTRY)
Purpose:
The purpose of this memorandum is to supplement the NRC Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) August 9, 2021, Guidance for Post Re-Entry Telework, specifically as it pertains to resident inspectors. The CHCO guidance explicitly states, Resident Inspectors are eligible for project-based telework schedules (post re-entry). This memorandum adds specificity to the use of project-based telework by resident inspectors to ensure consistent application across all four regional offices.
Background:
The NRCs resident inspection program remains a unique and essential contributor to the agency meeting its safety mission. Resident inspectors have been relied upon, since the inception of the program, as the NRCs eyes and ears at the nations operating power reactors, reactor CONTACT: Scott A. Morris, Regional Administrator, RIV 817-200-1225 Signed by Lew, David on 08/17/21 Munday, Joel signing on behalf of Dudes, Laura on 08/17/21 Signed by Giessner, Jack on 08/17/21 Signed by Morris, Scott on 08/17/21
construction sites and fuel enrichment facilities. On-site resident inspections and other oversight activities (e.g., availability to interact in-person with concerned individuals, licensee staff and licensee management) are most effectively performed on-site.
Notwithstanding the above, our experience during the ongoing pandemic including the ability of resident inspectors to leverage new information sharing technologies, demonstrated that some amount of telework is appropriate post re-entry (e.g., to perform non-inspection related activities and, in certain situations, obtain plant status and/or assess emergent plant issues during off hours). As such, we fully support the use of some project-based telework by resident inspectors, subject to the discretion of their region-based supervisors (i.e., Branch Chiefs). We believe that this supplemental guidance appropriately balances the use of telework with the importance of in-person interactions and direct observation of licensee activities.We further recognize that, upon re-entry, the nation may/will likely still be in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. Given this reality, site-specific conditions (e.g., increased COVID infections) may warrant additional actions to protect the health and safety of the resident inspectors. Any such site-specific conditions will continue to be addressed by the cognizant regional office in a manner consistent with latest program office (i.e., NRR and NMSS) guidance and in coordination with the applicable headquarters program office.
Fixed telework schedules for resident inspectors are not authorized.
Guidance:
Most resident inspector work activities should be conducted on-site. Nonetheless, we believe that a maximum of eight (8) hours of project-based telework per work week is reasonable given our (1) individual experiences as resident and senior resident inspectors at multiple sites, (2) insights from the experience and innovative application of technology during the pandemic, and (3) confidence that resident inspectors and their supervisors will appropriately prioritize NRCs mission objectives to ensure adequate on-site presence during planned and emergent risk significant site activities.
1.
Resident inspectors may request up to 8 cumulative hours of project-based telework per work week. Regional branch chiefs should review and render decisions on such requests based on site-specific needs and circumstances (e.g., outages, resident coverage limitations, risk-significant activities being conducted on-site).
2.
Resident inspectors (at sites with at least two residents) will not normally be authorized telework if doing so would result in no resident inspector or qualified region-based inspector presence on-site during a normal workday.
3.
Requests for telework in excess of 8 cumulative hours per work week should be discussed with division-level management. Such requests should be uncommon and account for circumstances not anticipated as this guidance was developed.
4.
Resident inspectors must have an approved project-based telework agreement in place to avail themselves of telework, consistent with established NRC policy.
5.
Division-level management should benchmark with other regional offices to maximize consistency in the implementation of telework by resident inspectors.
ML21229A139 SUNSI Review ADAMS:
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/J.Munday for/
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DATE 08/16/21 08/14/21 08/16/21 08/15/21 08/13/21 08/13/21 OFFICE RA/RIV NAME SMorris SIGNATURE
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DATE 08/13/21