GENERAL SUMMARY
An armed, uniformed individual, whose primary duties are the protection of special nuclear material from theft, and protection of a nuclear plant against radiological sabotage. The ability to demonstrate physical fitness for assigned security duties as required by the 10CFR Part 73, Appendix B.I.C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Nuclear Security Officer (NSO) is responsible to ensure physically checking buildings and rooms to determine if they are secure and in order. Responsibilities include tactical armed responder duties and alarm assessment. Act as a surveillance sentry and vital door guard. Operate reader and communication equipment. Perform armed escort and response duties. Conduct vehicle, personnel, and material searches for the detection of firearms, explosives, and incendiary devices. The individual must be able to perform and demonstrate the ability to complete physical training qualifications to maintain access. May be required to withstand occasions of extreme physical exertion when responding to alarms and during drills. Must be able to work any shift and overtime as required.
Will work with the following equipment, tools, machinery, and material: X-ray machines, 2-way radios, firearms, capstun, ammunition, handcuffs, response equipment (body armor, body bunkers, gas mask, tactical vest, mobile defensive barrier, gas canister, and other pertinent security equipment), alarm panels, hand-held metal detectors, badges, dosimeters, vehicle search mirror, flashlights, cameras, monitors, intrusion detection system, and other standard security and office equipment.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Must be 21 years of age.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must be able to meet requirements to lawfully possess or receive firearms and ammunition in performance of Nuclear Security Officer duties.
Continuing Qualifications to maintain position:
Successful completion of Plant Access, Safeguards, and Respiratory Protection training.
Must successfully pass initial and subsequent medical, physical fitness, psychological, cognitive, personality, and security training imposed by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and/or Energy Northwest.
This a bargaining unit position starting at $33.77 per hour with a step progression every 6 months until you reach the top pay rate of $52.15 per hour at 24 months.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Mandatory Job Requirements:
The following are representative examples of mandatory Nuclear Security Officer employment requirements:
The following qualifications are desirable for the Nuclear Security Officer position:
Military or Security-related Work Experience
Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement Degree or Work Experience
Employment Background Investigation:
Energy Northwest Nuclear Security Officers are required to carry weapons; therefore, we will conduct a thorough background investigation, which will include fingerprinting sent to the FBI.
If you have been convicted of the misdemeanor crime of Domestic Violence, you will not be able to lawfully possess or receive firearms or ammunition for any purpose.
You must provide a 10-year work history with no gaps (must explain what you have been doing for the last 10 years).
This position is represented by United Steel Workers (USW Local 12-369).
No relocation assistance.
Energy Northwest (EN) offers a highly competitive and substantial benefits package which allows employees (and their families) to enroll in medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Other voluntary benefits include flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, supplemental life insurances, credit monitoring, and identity theft insurance. EN offers three retirement programs to qualifying employees including a matching 401(k) deferred compensation plan, the Washington State Pension Plan (PERS), a company-provided contribution into an HRA VEBA account each pay period, and a 457(b) savings plan. Employees will also accrue 160 hours of personal time per year and receive nine paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
Other available compensation includes our annual At-Risk Compensation program and various monetary recognition programs, when approved. Stipends are available to qualifying positions, after incumbent successfully completes required training.
Posting closes at 11:59 PM the day before the listed end date.
The application process is completed in stages. Once you have applied, please watch your email and your Workday account notifications for required next steps in order to move forward in the process.
See below for approximate dates and locations for the application process. Candidates who move from one stage to the next will be specifically notified.
7/7 – 7/29 APPLICATION AND SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETION. Once you have applied in Workday, selected candidates will receive a series of questionnaires to complete prior to moving to the next stage. Please watch your email and your Workday account notifications for these.
8/17 – 8/20 COGNITIVE/PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING AND INTERVIEWS will be conducted. You will need to be available all day on one of these days for cognitive and physical agility testing, which will be conducted in person in Richland, WA. Interviews will be conducted directly after successful completion of the cognitive and physical agility tests.
The agility test is a Physical Performance Test, which consists of: 1. Sit Up-complete 22 sit-ups in 60 seconds; 2. Arm Lift-must achieve an average score of 50 lbs of force on 3 tries; 3. Leg Endurance-minimum standard is 88 revolutions within 60 seconds pedaling a preset bicycle; 4. Horizontal ladder coordination test. (Wear running shoes and comfortable clothing when participating in this test.)
8/24 – 8/28 CONTINGENT OFFERS contingent on your ability to successfully complete the remaining items of the pre-employment testing, which include medical evaluations.
NOTE: Please be aware that more candidates are receiving conditional offers of employment than there are positions available, since it is anticipated that some candidates may be unsuccessful in the final pre-employment testing and/or may choose to withdraw. If more candidates successfully complete the final pre-employment testing than there are positions available, final offers will be based upon an assessment of the candidates’ performance throughout all phases of the selection process.
Medical Testing and Physicals consist of: 1. Fasting blood test; 2. Vision test to include intraocular eye pressure; 3. Hearing test; 4. EKG; 5. Pulmonary Function Test; 6. Urinalysis; 7. Physical examination will be completed by a physician at Lourdes Occupational Health Center in Pasco, WA, unless a candidate is from out-of-area which will result in this being conducted near your residence if at all possible.
Due to the tight schedule, there is no flexibility for rescheduling physicals in the event of a “no-show.” It is your responsibility to ensure you are available on the dates mentioned above. You will need to be available approximately 1.5 hours one of these days for this process.
9/21 – 9/24 TEMPORARY HIRE & PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING
NOTE: You will be paid during this period. Expect to be available 4-6 days during this timeframe.
Pre-employment testing will include Fitness for Duty (drug and alcohol testing), MMPI (Psychological evaluation and interview) and General Employee Training (computer-based testing).
9/24 – 9/28 FINAL OFFERS MADE
Final offers will be based upon an assessment of the candidates’ performance throughout all phases of the selection process. A probationary period of 6 months will be conducted; this will determine your continued full-time employment.
10/12 EXPECTED FULL-TIME START DATE
Congratulations! You successfully completed all phases of the application/employment process. This will be your official start date of training. Benefits will be effective January 1, 2026.
If you have any questions, you may contact Energy Northwest:
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Megan Mittleider (509) 377-4763
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Anne Younes at (509) 372-5198
This is a bargaining unit position and the hourly pay rate is:
$33.77
Pay In Lieu of Benefits Amount:
$0.50
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate due to race, color, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, national origin, veteran status or on the basis of disability.
Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal
