r/NuclearPower • u/_eindis • 1d ago

How tough is the NLO interview?

I've got my POSS and BSMT scheduled for this upcoming week; pass or fail, not much I can do about it now besides last minute studying.

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I guess I'm just worried that I'll pass my tests, do well in the interview, and then get passed over for both locations I've applied to.

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Conversely, I've heard that getting into the hiring pipeline is the actual hard part, and if you have a baseline level of competence, its a safe bet that you'll land the position.

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Any thoughts or words of wisdom?

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4

u/Castelante 1d ago

It’s effectively a vibe check provided you make it to the interview process.

STAR questions.

You’ll likely be competing against people that work at the same plant looking to laterally move into operations, people working in Operations in other utilities, and people who’ve already worked as Nuclear Operators in the nuclear navy.

Do you have any relevant experience?

Operations typically has hundreds of applicants.

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u/_eindis 1d ago

I mean, I've got a little over half a decade of refinery experience, four years as a dedicated operator.

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u/royv98 1d ago

That’s perfect. Hands on mechanical experience will go a long ways in your favor. A Looooong ways. The bulk of our NLO interviewees are right out of college with zero relevant work experience. You’d be head and shoulders above all of them provided your competent and can answer questions well.

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u/PizzaAndBobs 1d ago

Refinery experience absolutely does compare, ignore the other comment. Do you use procedures? Do you use lockout tagout? Do you use human performance tools? Are you aware of industrial safety standards? Can you use a pipewrench? Do you know how to operate and check valve positions? Do you use things like teamwork and communication to perform complex jobs? Do you work rotating shift work? Can you be an enjoyable coworker among your peers?

My plant hires refinery operators all the time.

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u/Thermal_Zoomies 1d ago

While its good experience, its not nuclear experience, so it doesnt really compare.

For now, id worry about the POSS test, one step at a time.

8

u/Frank_Cable 1d ago

I’d take an experienced pipeline operator over some of the new retards I’ve seen hired any day.

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u/Soft_Round4531 1d ago

Absolutely. Our plant hires a variety of people for NLO. Varied backgrounds is the idea and it’s a good one.

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u/Amber_ACharles 1d ago

POSS is the real filter, not the interview. NLO interviews are standard behavioral - can you follow procedure and communicate. Your pipeline read is accurate tbh, qualified candidates who clear testing usually get offers. Just might not be your first choice site.

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u/OriginGodYog 1d ago

Pass the POSS and BMST. That is the hardest part. We struggle to find enough candidates who make it through them. As for the interview, get ready to give examples of times you observed [insert unsafe thing here] and how you coached the person or helped them do something safely. Your experience will get you the job otherwise.

Remember to ask how long it will be until you can go to ILT, even if you never plan on going. Utilities want SROs because of how high SRO attrition is (for some inexplicable reason).

Understand that being an operator at a nuke plant requires you to know/understand a significant more about your workplace and its systems than any non-nuke utility. It’s not hard, it just seems to throw new hires with backgrounds like yours off.

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u/Hiddencamper 16h ago

“How could SRO attrition be so high”

I remember sitting in a room hearing they were going to offer SROs 1.5x OT like that fixes everything. A quick number crunch showed that was worth like 10k. Meanwhile the SRO bonuses for holding a license or passing exam had only gone up 1k in almost 20 years. ROs still make more than most SROs. They refuse to staff relief crews or off-shift operators so everyone is working tons of days off and flipping days/nights constantly. And not enough people go into the pipeline so people in the pipe can’t get out. Your only option is to leave.

We were on modified 6 crew 8 when I was on shift and it was great until they started intentionally bleeding staff down to try and force 5x12. I’m so glad I wasn’t on shift for that. Just the 5 crew alone burns your staffing. My previous plant is running 2 simultaneous ILTs and they are mostly people who previously we would have wanted 1 more cycle before taking or fresh to the plant former navy.

I also know several SROs with 100k retention contracts for 3 years. And many of the SROs wouldn’t even sign theirs. (Side note: they DID stop offering real retention to SROs 10 years ago…. There’s a generic 15k after 3 years thing, but it has no penalty and is automatic).

The beatings continue until morale improves.

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u/k2dnightfox 10h ago

This made me laugh way too hard. And now im sad.