About the role
The role of a nuclear inspector is varied and you are likely to undertake a range of duties during your career. Some inspectors concentrate on undertaking planned and reactive inspections on site, while others will mainly assess safety submissions or manage discrete intervention projects.
However, the focus is on working as teams to ensure compliance, reassure the public and improve safety standards. When Inspectors find shortcomings in compliance they initially provide advice but may issue verbal and written warnings. The powers available to inspectors enable them to serve Enforcement Notices and ultimately initiate prosecutions. There is also a wide range of powers available under nuclear license conditions.
Nuclear inspectors are expected to be capable of undertaking a variety of roles:
- Inspecting sites;
- Assessing technical safety cases;
- Enforcing the law and influencing improvement in safety cases;
- Investigating incidents;
- Developing strategic approaches to secure high standards in the industry; and
- Managing nuclear research contracts, etc.
Experience
Applicants would normally be expected to have:
- A good honours degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate scientific or engineering subject;
- Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution or able to demonstrate performance and/or experience at an equivalent professional level;
- Experience of working in responsible positions in the nuclear sector or other high hazard industry in design, construction, operation or safety appraisal in a safety case environment, with preference given to candidates who can demonstrate a sound understanding of the current nuclear industry context and understanding of relevant principles and practices; and
- A full driving licence that permits you to drive in the UK. However, ONR is willing to consider any proposals put forward by disabled applicants that would allow them to do the job by any other means.
In addition to high technical ability and expertise, your personal qualities are also important to us.
ONR will consider applicants with a non-nuclear/non-high hazard background, who if appointed would undertake a structured nuclear equivalence process in order to reach Nuclear Safety Inspector level. Applicants should be aware that if individuals are appointed on this basis, they will be appointed on an alternative salary range whilst undergoing the equivalence process.
Our inspectors come from a variety of mainly nuclear or high-hazard-related backgrounds, but all demonstrate calm and poise when working under pressure in one of the most demanding jobs in the public sector.
How to apply
Please visit our recruitment portal.