Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Nuclear Laborer

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a hands-on professional with an unwavering commitment to safety and procedure? This role requires a motivated and physically capable Nuclear Laborer to join our dynamic team. In this critical role, you will be the backbone of our daily operations, performing essential manual tasks that ensure the safety, cleanliness, and operational readiness of a nuclear facility. You will work within radiologically controlled areas, handling specialized equipment and materials while adhering to the highest standards of safety and compliance. This is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to become a specialist in a vital sector, contributing directly to the nation's energy infrastructure while building a long-term, valuable career.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Laborer or Construction Worker
Military Veteran (especially Navy Nuclear, Army Chemical Corps, or similar technical fields)
Hazardous Waste Technician or Environmental Technician

Advancement To:

Decontamination Technician (Decon Tech) II/III or Lead
Radiological Control Technician (RCT) / Health Physics Technician (HP)
Junior Foreman or Work Crew Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Industrial Safety Technician
Waste Management Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Execute comprehensive decontamination of critical plant components, specialized tooling, and facility surfaces within radiologically controlled areas (RCAs) to meet stringent cleanliness and safety standards.
Perform decontamination activities using a variety of methods, including high-pressure water blasting (hydrolasing), abrasive grit blasting, and specialized chemical cleaning applications.
Safely handle, containerize, label, and prepare low-level radioactive materials, contaminated equipment, and hazardous waste for transport and disposal in strict accordance with site, DOT, and NRC regulations.
Construct, modify, and dismantle radiological containment structures, such as glove bags, shielded tents, and isolated ventilation systems, to prevent the spread of airborne contamination.
Operate a range of industrial equipment, including forklifts, aerial lifts, and specialized remote-handling tools, after receiving site-specific qualifications.
Provide direct labor support during plant refueling outages, maintenance periods, and decommissioning projects, often involving physically demanding tasks in challenging environments.
Conduct pre-job briefings and safety meetings to review work scope, identify potential hazards, and confirm adherence to all procedural and radiological controls.
Wear and maintain all required personal protective equipment (PPE), including anti-contamination clothing, various types of respirators (air-purifying and supplied-air), and fall protection gear.
Set up and maintain radiological control boundaries, including posting signs, installing ropes and stanchions, and controlling access points to RCAs and high-radiation areas.
Perform general housekeeping and cleanup in contaminated and non-contaminated areas to maintain a safe, orderly, and compliant work environment.
Assist Radiological Control Technicians with preparing and conducting radiological surveys by staging equipment and documenting conditions as directed.
Operate and maintain decontamination equipment, performing routine inspections and minor troubleshooting to ensure operational readiness.
Execute precise cutting, grinding, and size-reduction of contaminated components using power tools, while working within engineered containment structures.
Support the packaging and shipment of radioactive waste, ensuring all documentation, labeling, and container integrity checks are completed accurately.
Perform "fire watch" and "confined space attendant" duties, monitoring coworker safety during high-risk activities and being prepared to initiate emergency responses.
Rig and signal for the movement of heavy, potentially contaminated equipment, working closely with crane operators to ensure safe lifts.
Accurately document work activities, material movements, and equipment status in logs and electronic databases as required by plant procedures.
Anonymously collect and bag potentially contaminated laundry and protective clothing for processing.
Build and remove scaffolding structures within plant buildings to provide safe access for maintenance and project-related tasks.
Respond to facility spills and emergencies as a member of the initial response team, executing cleanup and containment protocols as directed.
Read, understand, and strictly follow complex technical work documents, procedures, and radiation work permits (RWPs) for all assigned tasks.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the inventory and restocking of consumable supplies such as PPE, cleaning agents, and radiological control materials.
Support emergency preparedness drills and training exercises to maintain a high state of readiness for site-wide events.
Perform minor preventative maintenance on team equipment, such as vehicles, pumps, and ventilation units, under supervision.
Participate in pre-job walk-downs with planners and supervisors to provide a field-level perspective on task feasibility and safety.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Ability to read, comprehend, and rigorously adhere to complex technical procedures and safety manuals.
Proficiency in the safe operation of common industrial hand tools and power tools (e.g., grinders, drills, saws).
Experience with or ability to qualify on heavy equipment such as forklifts, man-lifts, and scissor lifts.
Fundamental understanding of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles and basic radiological safety.
Ability to pass and maintain qualification for wearing various types of respiratory protection, including a negative pressure respirator.
Knowledge of OSHA safety standards, including confined space entry, fall protection, and lock-out/tag-out procedures.
Basic mathematical skills for calculating quantities, measurements, and simple formulas.
HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) certification is a strong plus.
Experience with rigging and signaling for crane operations.
Ability to perform physically demanding labor, including lifting up to 50 pounds, climbing ladders, and working in extreme temperatures.
Competence in maintaining accurate logs and records, both written and electronic.

Soft Skills

Safety-First Mindset: An uncompromising dedication to personal and team safety above all else.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in all actions, especially when following procedures.
Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, punctual, and motivated to complete tasks efficiently and to a high standard.
Procedural Adherence: The discipline to follow instructions and written procedures exactly as written, without deviation.
Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and communicate clearly within a diverse team.
Resilience: The mental and physical toughness to work in challenging, uncomfortable, and highly regulated environments.
Integrity: Honest and ethical, with a commitment to reporting issues and upholding nuclear safety culture.
Verbal Communication: Clearly communicate status, ask clarifying questions, and relay information to supervisors and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or Associate's Degree from a vocational or technical college.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Nuclear Technology or Power Plant Technology
Environmental Health & Safety
Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of experience in an industrial, construction, manufacturing, or military environment. Entry-level candidates with a strong mechanical aptitude and commitment to safety will be considered.

Preferred:

Prior experience working in a Department of Energy (DOE), commercial nuclear power plant, or Naval Nuclear Power Program environment is highly desirable.
Documented experience working in radiologically controlled areas.