nuclear-engineer/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — nuclear engineer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 17-2161.00 (Nuclear Engineers).

Task statements

• [Core] Conduct environmental studies on topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.
• [Core] Design fuel cycle models or processes to reduce the quantity of radioactive waste generated from nuclear activities.
• [Core] Develop or contribute to the development of plans to remediate or restore environments affected by nuclear radiation, such as waste disposal sites.
• [Core] Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
• [Core] Prepare environmental impact statements, reports, or presentations for regulatory or other agencies.
• [Core] Prepare technical reports of findings or recommendations, based on synthesized analyses of test results.
• [Core] Design or direct nuclear research projects to develop, test, modify, or discover new uses for theoretical models.
• [Core] Consult with other scientists to determine parameters of experimentation or suitability of analytical models.
• [Core] Discuss construction project proposals with interested parties, such as vendors, contractors, or nuclear facility review boards.
• [Core] Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
• [Core] Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
• [Core] Keep abreast of developments and changes in the nuclear field by reading technical journals or by independent study and research.
• [Core] Perform experiments that will provide information about acceptable methods of nuclear material usage, nuclear fuel reclamation, or waste disposal.
• [Core] Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
• [Core] Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
• [Core] Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
• [Core] Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
• [Core] Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
• [Core] Conduct tests of nuclear fuel behavior and cycles or performance of nuclear machinery and equipment to optimize performance of existing plants.
• [Core] Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.

Detailed work activities

• Advise others on health and safety issues.
• Analyze test or validation data.
• Communicate technical information to suppliers, contractors, or regulatory agencies.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
• Design energy production or management equipment or systems.
• Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability.
• Direct energy production or management activities.
• Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
• Document design or operational test results.
• Investigate safety of work environment.
• Investigate the environmental impact of projects.
• Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Prepare technical or operational reports.
• Research energy production, use, or conservation.
• Resolve operational performance problems.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Update technical knowledge.