ML25199A240
| ML25199A240 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/10/2025 |
| From: | Gregory Bowman Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Mark King NRC/EDO |
| Brown T | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25199A240 (1) | |
Text
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MEMORANDUM TO:
Michael F. King Acting Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Gregory T. Bowman, Acting Director /RA/
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
EXCEPTION REQUEST TO HIRING FREEZE PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 20, 2025, FOR NRC EXEMPTED POSITIONS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT The purpose of this memo is to request to exercise an exception1 to the Hiring Freeze Presidential Memorandum dated January 20, 2025, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Civilian Hiring Freeze Guidance memorandum, also dated January 20, 2025. This exception will enable the staff to begin the hiring process for one Reactor Engineer (RTR Examiner), GG-13/GG-14, Series 0801/1301 in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities (DANU), Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Oversight Branch (UNPO). This position is on the agencys OPM-approved exclusion list (i.e., the carve out list). Any internal competitive promotions will not result in any additional headcount and this exception will only be used to fill funded positions.
Since July 2025, DANU lost two examiners in training, leaving the branch with only three qualified examiners. The qualifications required are unique from other technical positions in the agency and the qualification process for the license examiner positions is intensive and typically takes 18-24 months, depending on the previous experience of the incumbent. Hiring to fill license examiner positions now ensures qualified staff will be ready to fill open positions in 2026 and 2027.
Hiring for this position is critical to support the agencys safety and security mission. License examiners develop, prepare, and administer examinations to applicants for operator or senior operator licenses to ensure they are competent to safely operate NPUFs. The vacancies in operator licensing must be filled to meet the NPUF communitys current requested exam load and to support initial operator licensing for anticipate future facilities. A lack of examiners may lead to delay or cancellation of initial license exams, potentially challenging a facilitys ability to operate the reactor due to an insufficient number of licensed operators.
CONTACT: Kimberly B. Jones, NRR/DRMA 301-415-5846 1 See OEDO Highlights (March 13, 2025)
September 10, 2025
M. King 2
Examiners also support the RTR inspectors reviews of operator training and requalification programs at the facilities. Additionally, RTR license examiners perform reviews of new NPUF applicants operator training and requalification programs, including new and novel approaches for operator training and licensing.
This position cannot be filled by the lateral reassignment or rotation of existing staff because there is already a deficit of staff with skills in those areas at the agency.
Number of Positions Requested: [1]
As of the below signature date of the Executive Director for Operations, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation has obtained approval for the request to begin the external hiring process for Reactor Engineer (RTR Examiner), GG-13/GG-14, Series 0801/1301 in NRR/DANU/UNPO.
The Office of the Executive Director for Operations will notify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer to post the external vacancy.
Approved:
Michael F. King, Acting Executive Director for Operations Signed by King, Michael on 09/10/25
ML25199A240 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DRMA NRR/DANU NRR EDO NAME DMarcano JGreives GBowman MKing DATE 7/21/2025 7/21/2025 7/22/2025 09/10/25