Nuclear Performance Improvement Specialist I/II/III

This role is the intermediate or fully proficient level of a three-level job series responsible for developing and implementing nuclear power plant performance monitoring processes and procedures to ensure safe and efficient operation. Develops and recommends improvements in solving human performance issues and performance improvement processes. Implements corrective action programs and participates in and/or facilitates root-cause analysis and self-assessment teams on corrective action cases. This level is distinguished from the Nuclear Performance Improvement Specialist I by the increased complexity of technical and analytical skills and plant and process knowledge. Continues to build knowledge of the organization, processes and customers. Performs a range of mainly straightforward assignments. Uses prescribed guidelines or policies to analyze and resolve problems. Receives a moderate level of guidance and direction from more senior staff.

This level is responsible for maintaining the corrective action program and assisting station personnel in its use with guidance as needed. Duties include assigning corrective actions, monitoring progress, and ensuring assignments have adequately addressed conditions adverse to quality. Screens condition reports to determine significance. Performs corrective action trending and initiate corrective actions based on the identified trends. Coordinates the station human performance program; identifying, evaluating, and reporting human performance trends and events, and developing and implementing improvement when required. Collects and analyzes human performance data for metrics, performance indicators, and recommendations for corrective action when adverse trends are identified. Assists in the monitoring, and mentoring the department human performance coordinators. Responsible for the coordination of the station work observation program. Creates and distributes human performance-related communications (e.g., newsletters, presentations), and maintain the station self-assessment and benchmark program. Conducts and assists in informal and formal self-assessments and benchmark activities at the site and fleet wide as necessary. Coordinates the self-evaluation program and is responsible for preparing the station’s self-evaluation meeting presentations. This role is responsible for the coordinated review of industry operating experience and maintains the station operating experience program. May help senior level staff in preparation of industry operating experience reports, and the coordination and hosting of INPO webcasts. Assists INPO with in-processing and coordinate INPO activities on site as needed. Maintains station and department key performance indicators, collects data, and analyzes and identify trends.

The senior level of a three level series, the Nuclear Performance Improvement Specialist III is responsible for developing and implementing nuclear power plant performance monitoring processes and procedures to ensure safe and efficient operation. Develops and recommends improvements in solving human performance issues and performance improvement processes. Implements corrective action programs and participates in and/or facilitates root-cause analysis and self-assessment teams on corrective action cases. Applies in-depth knowledge of performance monitoring processes, procedures to solve complex problems; takes a new perspective on existing solutions. May lead projects or project steps within a broader project or have accountability for ongoing activities or objectives. Serves as a resource for colleagues with less experience, to determine significance and level of effort for adverse station conditions, including in-depth working knowledge of Operating Experience process and interface with 10CFR21. This position works closely with management as the champion of the corrective actions process to ensure adverse conditions and trends are discovered and acted upon in a timely manner.

Responsible for maintaining the corrective action program including screening of condition reports and determining significance. Assigns corrective actions, monitor progress and ensure assignments have adequately addressed adverse conditions. Perform corrective action trending and initiate corrective actions based on the identified trends. Coordinates the station human performance program; identifying, evaluating, and reporting human performance trends and events, and developing and implementing improvement when required. Collects and analyzes human performance data for metrics, performance indicators, and develops recommendations for corrective action when adverse trends are identified. This senior level role is responsible for mentoring the department human performance coordinators and monitoring trends across departments, the coordination of the station’s work observation program, and for the creation and distribution of human performance-related communications (e.g., newsletters, presentations). Additional responsibilities include maintaining the station self-assessment and benchmark program, conducting informal/ formal self-assessments and benchmark activities at the site, and fleet wide as necessary. Coordinates the self-evaluation program, in addition to the station’s self-evaluation meeting presentations. Additional responsibilities include maintaining the station operating experience program and coordinating the review of industry operating experience. Works closely with subject matter experts in preparation of industry operating experience reports, and coordinate and host INPO webcasts and coordinate INPO activities on site as needed. Responsible for maintaining the station and department’s key performance indicators, collection of data, and analyzing and identifying trends.

Analyzes, designs, develops, implements and evaluates Nuclear Maintenance Department performance monitoring and improvement processes to include: department self-assessment programs, benchmarking activities (Site, Fleet, Industry levels), Causal Analysis (Level of Effort (LEE) and Root Cause Evaluations), Human Performance Review Boards, performance data analysis (Cognos reports, self-developed trending tools, key performance indicators (KPI) - Industry Reporting and Information System/Performance Indicator Program (IRIS/PIC)). Also develops and delivers the Maintenance Department Self-Evaluation Meeting (DSEM) presentations, coordinates the department’s work observation program, develops and distributes HU-related teaching and learning/informal training material (e.g., Standard of the Week, presentations, videos, etc.) and facilitates Corrective Action (CA) development, assignment, and closeout (qualified Department Corrective Action Coordinator - DCAC). Frequent Teaching and Learning with Maintenance personnel on the above process and programs. Qualified Station Emergency Response Organization Emergency Information Specialist (EIS).

Nuclear Performance Improvement Specialist I

The knowledge, skills, abilities and experience required for entry into this job include the following:

0 - 2 years of relevant experience in directly related field, with preferred Bachelor's degree. (In lieu of preferred related Bachelor's degree, may substitute related Associate's degree and 2+ years of directly related experience or High School diploma/GED and 4+ years of directly related experience that demonstrates knowledge of relevant fundamental theories, principles and concepts.) 

Some knowledge of nuclear plant systems and operations knowledge of human performance fundamentals desired;

Ability to gain working knowledge of the corrective action system database;

Good verbal and written communication skills;

Fluent in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point;

Good organizational and basic project management skills, with a drive to help others to work safely, efficiently, and be results driven;

Prior experience with conflict resolution and work observation skills desired, but not required;

Must possess good analytical and abstract thinking skills;

Must have a questioning attitude and be a problem-solver;

Good oral and written communications, with the ability to learn to prepare reports, develop technical writing skills, and to process information quickly;

Must be a team player, and able to work in a team environment;

Must respond well to multiple tasks and changing priorities;

Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of performance monitoring processes and effectively utilize procedures to solve complex problems.

Ability to be trained in Level of Effort and Root Cause Evaluation that have a significant impact to the station

2 - 3+ years of directly related/relevant technical Nuclear experience (with preferred Bachelor's degree), demonstrating general knowledge of plant systems and operations; knowledge of human performance fundamentals, and a working knowledge of the corrective action system);

(In lieu of preferred Bachelor's degree, may substitute related Associate's degree and 4+ years of directly related experience or High School diploma/GED and 6+ years of directly related experience as outlined above.)

Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated good technical writing skills;

Skilled in use of Microsoft Office Suite to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point;

Excellent organizational and project management skills;

Skilled in conflict resolution and work observation skills;

Ability to function as a team player and to work well in a team environment;

Demonstrates solid analytical and abstract thinking skills;

Demonstrates solid problem-solving skills and is able to process information quickly and efficiently;

Is adaptable and able to respond well to multiple tasks and changing priorities;

Possesses intermediate level skills in performing root cause analysis to determine the most probable cause of problems and undesired events;

Must be able to influence others without formal authority.

5 - 6+ years of relevant experience in directly related field (with preferred Bachelor's degree), demonstrating considerable knowledge of Nuclear plant systems and operations, human performance fundamentals, working knowledge of the corrective action system, and relevant technical Nuclear experience;

(In lieu of preferred related Bachelor's degree, may substitute related Associate's degree and 7+ years of directly related experience or High School diploma/GED and 9+ years of directly related experience that demonstrates knowledge of relevant fundamental theories, principles and concepts);

Excellent oral and written communication skills, in addition to considerable skill in technical writing and document preparation;

Skilled in use of a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite products to include Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point;

Excellent organizational and project management skills, conflict resolution, and work observation skills;

Must work well in a team environment;

Possesses excellent analytical and abstract thinking skills, and a questioning attitude;

Must be adaptable to change, and demonstrates skill in responding well to multiple tasks and changing priorities;

Must be a problem-solver and able to process information quickly and efficiently;

Ability to perform root cause analysis to determine the most probable cause of problems and undesired events;

Ability to assist less experienced team members and to influence without authority.