19-4051.02 - Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Updated 2008

Summary Report for:
19-4051.02 - Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

Sample of reported job titles: Radiation Protection Technician (RPT), Health Physics Technician, Radiation Protection Specialist, Radiation Technician, Radiochemical Technician, Radiation / Chemistry Technician, Nuclear Chemistry Technician, Radiological Control Specialist, Radiological Control Technician (RadCon Technician)

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
Provide initial response to abnormal events and to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.
Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, and materials, using radiation detectors and other instruments.
Collect samples of air, water, gases, and solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.
Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.
Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
Decontaminate objects by cleaning with soap or solvents or by abrading with wire brushes, buffing wheels, or sandblasting machines.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Dosimeters — Dose rate monitors; Neutron dose-rate meters; Whole body counters

Frequency analyzers — Digital signal analyzers; Digital spectrum analyzers

Gamma counters — Area gamma monitors; Gamma ray detectors; Sodium Iodide NaI scintillation detectors

Radiation detectors — Alpha air monitors; Digital ratemeters; Portable survey radiation meters; Thermoluminescent dosimeters

Respirators — Air purifying respirators; Airline respirators; Atmosphere supplying respirators; Pressure demand respirators

Technology used in this occupation:

Analytical or scientific software — Gamma waste assay system GWAS software; Radiological assessment display and control system RADACS; RESRAD *

Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook

Office suite software — Microsoft Office

Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel

Word processing software — Microsoft Word

* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.

Knowledge

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Work Activities

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Work Context

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Exposed to Radiation — How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include food service managers, electricians, agricultural technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range	(6.0 to < 7.0)

There is 1 recognized apprenticeable specialty associated with this occupation:
Radiation Monitor

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

Interests

Interest code: RCI

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Independence — Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Related Occupations

13-1041.01	Environmental Compliance Inspectors
17-2111.01	Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
17-2151.00	Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
19-1031.01	Soil and Water Conservationists
19-1032.00	Foresters
19-2012.00	Physicists
19-4021.00	Biological Technicians
25-1052.00	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
25-1054.00	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
29-9011.00	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Nuclear Technicians.
Employment data collected from Nuclear Technicians.

Median wages (2008)	$32.64 hourly, $67,890 annual
Employment (2006)	7,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016)	Average (7% to 13%)
Projected need (2006-2016)	3,000 additional employees

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data and 2006-2016 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Summary Report for: 19-4051.02 - Nuclear Monitoring Technicians