Nuclear Specialist

NRDC is seeking a Nuclear Specialist to work with our Science and Climate & Energy teams in our Washington D.C. office. This is a limited term 2 year position. 

 Position Summary

 To support NRDC's advocacy, the Nuclear Specialist will conduct technical and policy analysis on nuclear energy issues including those related to complex reactor safety, radiation protection, and nuclear waste. Working within the Policy Analysis division in the Science Office and the Power division in Climate & Energy Department, the Nuclear Specialist will be a core staff member at NRDC for the institution’s engagement on nuclear power in the context of climate change. While NRDC prioritizes clean energy solutions including wind, solar, storage, efficiency and transmission, we recognize that nuclear power is zero-carbon generation and support its use in the right circumstances taking into account safety, community acceptance, and environmental impacts. The Specialist will contribute analysis and comments to federal and state regulatory proceedings, advise policymakers, and monitor nuclear developments to inform NRDC’s engagement.  

 The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to expand their knowledge and familiarity with certain nuclear policy and analytical tools used for these duties as part of their work at NRDC: 

• Conduct technical analysis of nuclear reactor safety, radiation protection, and radiological consequence issues, such as source term characterization, atmospheric dispersion modeling, and dose methodology, producing defensible findings that can withstand scrutiny from regulators, courts, and public review. 
• Prepare and review comments, filings, and technical materials for federal and state regulatory proceedings, including Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing actions, license transfers, and rulemakings. 
• Analyze nuclear waste and spent fuel management issues, including decommissioning funding assurance, dry cask and spent fuel storage, and the long-term disposal of high-level radioactive waste. 
• Execute nuclear safety and radiological modeling tools such as MACCS/HYSPLIT, RESRAD and related modeling software. 
• Advise state and Congressional policymakers on nuclear energy policy, such as NRDC’s participation in state task forces and responses to requests for information on advanced nuclear technologies. 
• Monitor, assess, and synthesize ongoing nuclear developments related to energy and data centers and beyond, regulatory changes, and news to advise NRDC’s engagement across federal agencies and states. 
• Engage with stakeholders, coalition partners, and external experts to develop and advance NRDC’s positions in nuclear proceedings. 
• Develop user-friendly, tailored resources such as analyses, factsheets, presentations, and blogs to communicate nuclear policy and technical findings to NRDC advocates and the public. 
• Serve as project lead on nuclear analysis requests, working directly with NRDC advocates, litigators, scientists, and external partners. 
• Synthesize technical information and communicate findings clearly to non-expert audiences, including through written products such as NRDC blogs. 
• Participate in internal and external meetings and activities of the Science Office as required. 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.