Radiological Control & Waste Handling

Mission

The purpose of the program is to educate Radiological Control Technicians (RCTs) for work in the Nuclear Industry. Our program will teach the standards and guidelines of the Department of Energy for Radiological Control Technicians. The program is currently satisfying the needs for the WIPP site in Carlsbad, but we want to expand our program to cover the need on an inter-state level. We will target employers within a five (5) hour driving radius from New Mexico Junior College's campus (i.e.: Pantex in Amarillo, Texas, Waste Control Specialists in Eunice, New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Los Alamos National Laboratories in Los Alamos, New Mexico). Furthermore, by adhering to the national standards, we hope to expand the program to a national level. The market for short courses and industry training has potential as several private companies are already serving the current needs of the nuclear industry. Our target is full-time and part-time students at this institution, as well as students in other parts of the country utilizing WebCT. Currently, New Mexico Junior College is offering the following certificate and degree plans:

Certificate of Completion in Radiological Control and Waste Handling Technology. (18 Credit Hours)
Certificate in Radiological Control and Waste Handling Technology. (36 Credit Hours)
Associate's in Applied Science Degree in Radiological Control and Waste Handling Technology. (66 Credit Hours)

The certificates are cumulative and can be applied towards the associate degree in Radiological Control and Waste Handling Technology. This program incorporates fundamentals important to obtaining employment upon graduation. It may not be suitable if transferred to other institutions of higher learning.

California Occupational Guide Number 379
Interest Area 5-A
1995

THE JOB

NUCLEAR TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGISTS are members of project teams which assist nuclear engineers and scientists in the servicing and maintenance of various types of existing facilities, and in the research and development of new facilities. Research and Development Technicians may be involved with defense or medical applications. Other technicians function as reactor or accelerator systems operators at existing power, defense, or medical facilities.

Working under the direction of Nuclear Engineers, Nuclear Technicians set up tests, install instruments, and operate reactors. They also assist crafts workers in the construction of monitoring equipment for fissionable materials and experimental models of nuclear devices and facilities. They use remote-controlled hand tools, as well as oscilloscopes, ammeters, voltmeters, and electronic counters in their work, and they must follow rigid safety precautions at all times.

Nuclear Technicians are identified by the job they do or the equipment they use:

Accelerator operators set up and coordinate the operation of particle accelerators such as betatrons. (Betatrons use magnets to speed up electrons to create energies of hundreds of millions of electron volts);
Gamma Facilities Operators use remote-controlled machines to irradiate particles in gamma canals;
Power Reactor Operators operate steam producing nuclear reactors, coordinate operation of auxiliary equipment, and assist in handling nuclear fuel elements;
Radiation Monitors operate instruments to detect and measure exposure time of personnel and materials to radiation, and instruct others in radiation safety measures;
Radioisotope Production Operators prepare radioactive samples of blood, oil, or water for tracing the path of fluids in systems;
Scanners record details of atomic fusion on magnetic tape;
Reactor Operators use neutron and gamma rays to study the atomic structure and properties of matter;
Fuel Technicians control chemical equipment which processes raw uranium ores, extracts fuels, and recovers unused uranium from spent nuclear fuel; and
Hot Cell Technicians perform chemical and other tests on metal and various other materials to determine amounts of radioactivity.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The jobs listed above require a wide range of physical activities from sedentary gauge monitoring to heavy labor. Many jobs require standing and walking. Some jobs require heavy lifting. Nuclear Technicians must have good vision, depth perception, and color discrimination. They must be able to work under great pressure and be able to make fast, accurate decisions, and adapt to rapidly changing situations where there is no room for error. Most jobs are performed indoors in clean, quiet, well-ventilated, well-lighted surroundings. For many jobs, technicians need a security clearance. Nuclear Reactor Operators must be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Protective clothing and film badges or dosimeters (shows radioactive contamination) must be worn when working around radioactive materials.

Technicians working in nuclear power plants are usually members of the Utility Workers Union of America, or the AFL-CIO Division of Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers. Other technicians may affiliate with other craft unions.

EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1990.........................480
Estimated number of workers in 2005.........................580
Projected Growth 1990-2005......................................21%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005.........210

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

In California, Nuclear Technicians are employed by government agencies, academic and industrial research centers, nuclear power plants, military installations, and industrial manufacturing plants. Currently, the future of nuclear power for certain uses in California is not clear and this situation translates into a slow overall job market for Nuclear Technicians. Still, some positions requiring specific types of specialized experience are difficult to fill because qualified technicians are scarce.

WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Salaries in both private industry and government service vary widely, depending upon the level of knowledge and experience required. In the private sector, beginning employees with at least one year of related training or experience can have a starting pay ranging from $8.00 to $12.75 per hour. Journey-level workers can earn from $12.00 to $18.00 per hour and senior-level technicians can earn from $19.00 to $21.25 per hour. Supervisors can earn $25.50 per hour or more.

Federal Civil Service wages also vary according to acquired experience and established GS Levels. Hourly earnings may start at approximately $8.50 per hour. Experienced individuals may earn from $9.50 to $10.50 per hour. Fully experienced technicians may earn approximately $14.25 to $20.75 per hour.

Some technicians must have a Reactor Operator's license issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to perform their specific job duties. Those technicians who have an NRC license and use it on the job can get an incentive of several hundred dollars per month, with the specific amount of bonus depending on the employer.

The standard workweek is 40 hours. Time and one-half is paid for overtime. Benefits include paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave. Life and accident insurance are usually provided. Many companies offer retirement and profit sharing in their benefit package.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The minimum requirement is high school graduation with heavy emphasis on courses in sciences and mathematics, supplemented by some amount of relevant experience (previous U.S. Navy service in nuclear ratings is very helpful). Most employers prefer trainees with two to four years of college in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and related subjects. Jobs involving direct exposure to radiation or responsibility for the health of others, such as Radiation Monitors, Radiographers, and Radioisotope Production Operators, usually require an Associate in Science degree in Nuclear Health or Nuclear Technology. Job applicants need scientific and mathematical aptitude and should have good manual and finger dexterity. They must be able to sustain a long span of attention and be able to follow instructions exactly. Technical training is conducted on the job and is supplemented with classroom instruction. There are apprenticeship programs for technicians working in nuclear power plants. The U.S. Navy conducts a 40-week training course in nuclear power plant operation.

ADVANCEMENT

Technicians with some college background and work experience can be promoted to senior and lead technician positions. Experienced technicians with a BS Bachelor of Science degree can become Nuclear Engineers. Some employers pay job-related educational costs, while others offer work-study plans.

FINDING THE JOB

Those interested in civil service positions should apply at Federal Job Information Centers, located in most major metropolitan areas. Applicants should apply directly to private employers engaged in research, design, and operation of nuclear facilities or to firms in nuclear medicine. Branches of the U. S. Armed Forces also train and employ Nuclear Technicians. The Employment Development Department Job Service Office is often a good source of job leads.

CONTACT

For additional information contact:

August Fons – Dean, Public Safety
Public Safety and Community Services Division
New Mexico Junior College
1 Thunderbird Circle
Hobbs, NM 88240
575.492.2721
AFons@nmjc.edu

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