Company Profile
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Company Overview
The mission of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is to regulate the Nation's civilian use of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials to ensure adequate protection of the public health and safety, to promote the common defense and security, and to protect the environment. The NRC's work includes establishing standards and regulations, issuing licenses for nuclear facilities and users of nuclear materials, monitoring events, and inspecting facilities and users of nuclear materials to ensure compliance with requirements. Recently ranked as the BEST Place to work in the Federal Government, we've earned our top ratings by creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership training, teamwork, and work life balance.
Company History
Before the NRC was created, nuclear regulation was the responsibility of the AEC, which Congress first established in the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. Eight years later, Congress replaced that law with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, which for the first time made the development of commercial nuclear power possible. The act assigned the AEC the functions of both encouraging the use of nuclear power and regulating its safety. The AEC's regulatory programs sought to ensure public health and safety from the hazards of nuclear power without imposing excessive requirements that would inhibit the growth of the industry. This was a difficult goal to achieve, especially in a new industry, and within a short time the AEC's programs stirred considerable controversy. An increasing number of critics during the 1960s charged that the AEC's regulations were insufficiently rigorous in several important areas, including radiation protection standards, reactor safety, plant siting, and environmental protection.
By 1974, the AEC's regulatory programs had come under such strong attack that Congress decided to abolish the agency. Supporters and critics of nuclear power agreed that the promotional and regulatory duties of the AEC should be assigned to different agencies. The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 created the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; it began operations on January 19, 1975.
The NRC (like the AEC before it) focused its attention on several broad issues that were essential to protecting public health and safety.
Today, the NRC's regulatory activities are focused on reactor safety oversight and reactor license renewal of existing plants, materials safety oversight and materials licensing for a variety of purposes, and waste management of both high-level waste and low-level waste. In 2008 the NRC received an application from the U.S. Department of Energy for a high-level radioactive waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. In addition, the NRC is preparing to evaluate new applications for nuclear plants. Several utilities have submitted applications for licenses to build new power reactors.
Benefits
Competitive Compensation
Paid Time Off
Insurance Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Recruitment Bonus
Relocation Expenses for New Employees
Student Loan Repayment
Union Representation