ML25199A239
| ML25199A239 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/11/2025 |
| From: | Gregory Bowman Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Mark King NRC/EDO |
| Brown T | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25199A239 (1) | |
Text
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MEMORANDUM TO:
Michael F. King Acting Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Gregory T. Bowman, Acting Director /RA/
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
EXCEPTION REQUEST TO HIRING FREEZE PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM OF JANUARY 20, 2025, FOR NRC EXEMPTED POSITIONS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT The purpose of this memo is to request to exercise an exception1 to the Hiring Freeze Presidential Memorandum dated January 20, 2025, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Civilian Hiring Freeze Guidance memorandum, also dated January 20, 2025. This exception will enable the staff to begin the hiring process for one Security Specialist, GG-14, Series 0080 in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities (DANU), Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Oversight Branch (UNPO). This position is on the agencys OPM-approved exclusion list (i.e., the carve out list).
Filling this position will ensure sufficient staff skills to conduct detailed technical reviews of physical protection plans submitted by operating non-power production and utilization facility (NPUF) licensees and new reactor applicants. The Security Specialist educates new applicants on the various physical security regulations and requirements which will better enable applicants to submit high quality applications and support more efficient staff reviews. Additionally, this position supports oversight of operating NPUFs, trains inspectors on physical security requirements, performs security inspections, and supports any security-related event reviews and licensing actions. The skills needed include thorough knowledge and understanding of physical security regulations and requirements for operating NPUFs and new reactor applications, including advanced reactor designs.
The anticipated wave of advanced reactor and NPUF applications is expected to include many novel physical security challenges. Without sufficient staff resources, the agency will be significantly challenged to effectively review those applications. This position will directly provide the highly specialized and necessary skill sets fundamental to review advanced reactor applications critical to successful licensing.
CONTACT: Kimberly B. Jones, NRR/DRMA 301-415-5846 1 See OEDO Highlights (March 13, 2025)
August 11, 2025
M. King 2
Furthermore, filling this position is time sensitive due to transfer of the previous Security Specialist to Region 1 in June 2025 and imminent or near-term needs to support those licensing and oversight activities. A delay in filling this position will impact the readiness to review new reactor applications anticipated in the next 2 years. The qualification program for this position is typically 18-24 months long.
This position cannot be filled by the lateral reassignment or rotation of existing staff because there is already a deficit of staff with skills in those areas at the agency.
Number of Positions Requested: [1]
As of the below signature date of the Executive Director for Operations, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation has obtained approval for the request to begin the external hiring process for Security Specialist, GG-14, Series 0800 in NRR/DANU/UNPO.
The Office of the Executive Director for Operations will notify the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer to post the external vacancy.
Approved:
Michael F. King, Acting Executive Director for Operations Signed by King, Michael on 08/11/25
ML25199A239 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DRMA NRR/DANU NRR EDO NAME DMarcano JGreives GBowman MKing DATE 7/12/25 8/4/25 8/4/25 8/11/25