Nuclear Safety Specialist

State of Pennsylvania

$88K — $119K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3 years of professional experience in nuclear systems safety analysis involving Boiling Water Reactors or Pressurized Water Reactors.
  • Bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, structural, or environmental engineering, or in engineering technology.
  • Ability to pass a background check and obtain a REAL ID or passport.
  • Must meet Pennsylvania residency requirements.
  • Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct independent assessments of nuclear power plant operations and decommissioning activities.
  • Participate in federal inspections to verify compliance with safety and environmental requirements.
  • Review industry and federal documents related to nuclear safety and environmental impacts.
  • Assist with radiological emergency planning and response drills.
  • Inspect low-level radioactive waste packaging and transportation activities.
  • Provide guidance and education to staff and the public on nuclear safety issues.

Benefits

  • Multiple health plans including medical, vision, and dental coverage.
  • Generous paid leave benefits including vacation, sick leave, and paid parental leave.
  • Flexible work schedules and potential telework options.
  • Opportunities for internal mobility and professional development within the state.
  • Employee discounts on a variety of services and memberships.
Full Job Description
Salary: $88,020.00 - $119,844.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: EP Nclr Sf Emgcy Respnse Div
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 12480
Position Number: 00002296
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B4
Pay Group: ST09
Bureau / Division Code: 00352930
Bureau / Division: Nuclear Safety and Emergency Response Division
Worksite Address: 400 Market Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17101
Contact Name: Julie Wolfrays
Contact Email: [email protected]

THE POSITION
As a Nuclear Safety Specialist with the Department of Environmental Protection, you will take part in important efforts that protect communities and the environment. This role offers exciting opportunities to evaluate nuclear operations, support emergency planning, and review safety reports. You will gain knowledge in a highly specialized field while working with motivated colleagues. Join a career path that blends science, public service, and real-world problem solving.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports safe nuclear operations by reviewing plant activities, evaluating safety practices, and assisting with emergency preparedness. It involves detailed inspections, technical assessments, and communication with staff and the public. As a Nuclear Safety Specialist, you will perform the following duties:
  • Oversight Reviews: Conduct independent assessments of nuclear power plant operations and decommissioning activities
  • Safety Inspections: Participate in federal inspections to verify compliance with safety and environmental requirements
  • Report Evaluation: Review industry and federal documents that address nuclear safety and environmental impacts
  • Emergency Planning: Take part in drills, assist with radiological emergency plans, and support response readiness
  • Waste Oversight: Inspect low-level radioactive waste packaging and transportation activities at assigned facilities
  • Public Education: Provide guidance, training, and information to staff and the public regarding nuclear safety issues


Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
  • Full-time employment
  • Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
  • This position requires travel to report to station of responsibility, emergency response drills, and training.
  • Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 3 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
  • Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $88,020 (before taxes).
  • You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
  • Three years of professional experience in nuclear systems safety analysis involving Boiling Water Reactors or Pressurized Water Reactors, and a bachelor's degree in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, structural or environmental engineering, or in engineering technology; or
  • An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Conditions of Employment:
  • This position requires possession of a valid driver's license.

Other Requirements:
  • You must possess and maintain a REAL ID or passport for this position. Proof of possession will be needed at the time of a conditional offer of employment.
  • You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
  • You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:
  • Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
  • If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
  • Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
  • Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
  • All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:
  • Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
  • 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

  • Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
  • Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
  • Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
  • You must provide complete and accurate information or:
    • your score may be lower than deserved.
    • you may be disqualified.
  • You may only apply/test once for this posting.
  • Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Condition of Employment - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?
  • Yes
  • No

02

If you answered yes, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03

INSTRUCTIONS: You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.All information you provide on your application and supplemental question(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. Read the question(s) carefully. Determine and select the option that most closely represents your highest level of experience/training/certification. The option you choose must be clearly supported if requested.
If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our
  • Yes

04

How many years of full-time professional experience in nuclear systems safety analysis involving Boiling Water Reactors or Pressurized Water Reactors do you possess?
  • A. 3 or more years
  • B. 2 but less than 3 years
  • C. 1 but less than 2 years
  • D. Less than 1 year
  • E. None

05

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
06

How much graduate coursework have you completed in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, structural or environmental engineering; engineering technology; physics; math; or chemistry?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.
  • A. 30 credits or more
  • B. Less than 30 credits
  • C. None

Required Question

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