Seeks Qualified Candidates for Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards

AGENCY:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Request for resumes.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) seeks qualified candidates for appointment to the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS or Committee). Submit resumes to Ms. Jamila Perry and Ms. Sandra Walker, ACRS, Mail Stop: T2B50, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001, or email Jamila.Perry@nrc.gov and Sandra.Walker@nrc.gov. This announcement replaces the request for resumes that NRC issued in the Federal Register on September 8, 2021, in 86 FR 50380.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The ACRS is a part-time advisory group, which is statutorily mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. The ACRS provides independent expert advice on matters related to the safety of existing and proposed nuclear reactor facilities and on the adequacy of proposed reactor safety standards. Of primary importance are the safety issues associated with the operation of commercial nuclear power plants in the United States and regulatory initiatives, including risk-informed and performance-based regulation, license renewal, new licensing applications for non-light water reactors, and the use of mixed oxide and high burnup fuels.

An increased emphasis is being given to safety issues associated with new light water and non-light water reactor designs and technologies, including topics related to: Neutronics and reactor kinetics analyses, thermal-hydraulics phenomena, passive and inherently safe design features, and integrated reactor core and systems performance; nuclear fuels, chemistry, and materials; structural and seismic design; radiation protection, shielding, and health physics; use of digital instrumentation and control; and international codes and industrial standards used in multinational and domestic design certifications and reviews.

In addition, the ACRS may be requested to provide advice on radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and earth sciences in the agency's licensing reviews for fuel fabrication and enrichment facilities, and for waste disposal facilities. The ACRS also has some involvement in security matters related to the integration of safety and security of commercial reactors. See the NRC website at https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/regulatory/advisory/acrs.html for additional information about the ACRS.

Criteria used to evaluate candidates include education and experience, demonstrated skills in nuclear reactor safety matters, the ability to solve complex technical problems, and the ability to work collegially on a board, panel, or committee. The Commission, in selecting its Committee members, also considers the need for specific expertise to accomplish the work expected to be before the ACRS. ACRS members are appointed for four-year terms with no term limits. The Commission looks to appoint two members to the Committee as a result of this request. Candidates are desired that have broad, extensive experience in nuclear safety, such as multiple areas of current emphasis (listed in the second paragraph under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ) or similar fields of nuclear reactor and nuclear fuel cycle safety. Candidates with broad nuclear safety experience in industry, academia, laboratory, or regulatory backgrounds, or work between those environments, are encouraged to apply. The candidates must also have at least 20 years of education and broad experience and a distinguished record of achievement in one or more areas of nuclear science and technology or related engineering disciplines. Candidates with pertinent graduate level experience will be given additional consideration.

This announcement supersedes NRC's request for resumes in the Federal Register on September 8, 2021, in 86 FR 50380. Since that time, the needs for specific expertise on the ACRS have changed, and now the Commission seeks to fill two Committee vacancies. Candidates are sought who are “generalists,” with more broad nuclear safety experience than in the previous announcement. All applicants for NRC's September 8, 2021, announcement [86 FR 50380] will be considered for these two positions based on material already submitted, but previous applicants are also welcome to update, re-submit, or withdraw from consideration as appropriate.

Consistent with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Commission seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds, so that the membership on the Committee is fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented and functions to be performed by the Committee. Candidates will undergo a thorough security background check to obtain the security clearance that is mandatory for all ACRS members. The security background check will involve the completion and submission of paperwork to the NRC. Candidates for ACRS appointment may be involved in or have financial interests related to NRC-regulated aspects of the nuclear industry. However, because conflict-of-interest considerations may restrict the participation of a candidate in ACRS activities, the degree and nature of any such restriction on an individual's activities as a member will be considered in the selection process. Each qualified candidate's financial interests must be reconciled with applicable Federal and NRC rules and regulations prior to final appointment. This might require divestiture of securities or discontinuance of certain contracts or grants. Information regarding these restrictions will be provided upon request. As a part of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012, which bans insider trading by members of Congress, their staff, and other high-level federal employees, candidates for appointments will be required to disclose additional financial transactions.

A resume describing the educational and professional background of each candidate, including any special accomplishments, publications, and professional references should be provided. Candidates should provide their current address, telephone number, and email address. All candidates will receive careful consideration. The NRC does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Candidates must be citizens of the United States and be able to devote approximately 100 days per year to Committee business, but may not be compensated for more than 130 calendar days. Appointees may be able to attend some Committee meetings virtually. Resumes will be accepted until July 5, 2022.