Will “Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
95% Chance of Automation
“Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO)” will almost certainly be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #614 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
Operate or control nuclear reactors. Move control rods, start and stop equipment, monitor and adjust controls, and record data in logs. Implement emergency procedures when needed. May respond to abnormalities, determine cause, and recommend corrective action.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8011.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 91,370.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 43.00
- Currently, there are 7,170 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Nuclear Power Reactor Operators”.
Also Known As…
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Reactor Operator (RO)
- Nuclear Unit Operator
- Nuclear Supervising Operator (NSO)
- Nuclear Station Operator (NSO)
- Nuclear Reactor Operator
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operator
- Nuclear Control Room Operator
- Nuclear Control Operator
- Licensed Reactor Operator
- Unit Reactor Operator
- Senior Reactor Operator
- Power Reactor Operator
- Nuclear Power Plant Process Control Worker
- Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO)
- Nuclear Operator
- Nuclear Control Room Non-Licensed Operator
- Licensed Nuclear Control Room Operator
- Equipment Operator
- Control Room Supervisor
- Control Room Operator
- Control Room Agent
Tasks for “Nuclear Plant Operator (NPO)”
- Review and edit standard operating procedures.
- Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.
- Supervise technicians' work activities to ensure that equipment is operated in accordance with policies and procedures that protect workers from radiation and ensure environmental safety.
- Identify or direct implementation of appropriate decontamination procedures, based on equipment and the size, nature, and type of contamination.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.
- Participate in nuclear fuel element handling activities, such as preparation, transfer, loading, or unloading.
- Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
- Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.
- Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.
- Direct measurement of the intensity or types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials.
- Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.
- Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
- Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.
- Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
- Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
- Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
- Monitor all systems for normal running conditions, performing activities such as checking gauges to assess output or the effects of generator loading on other equipment.
- Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
Related Technology & Tools
- Radiation monitoring instruments
- Radiation survey meters
- Area gamma monitors
- Automatic control systems
- pH testers
- Personal computers
- Seismic monitoring instruments
- Desktop computers
- Fuel handling systems
- Air compressors
- Leak detection equipment
- Air purifying respirators
- Spent fuel handling machines
- Generator control panels
- Pocket dosimeters
- Air monitoring equipment
- Power plant turbine control panels
- Master-slave manipulators
- Nuclear reactor control rod operation systems
- Safety coveralls
- Control rod drives
- Video borescopes
- Protective shoe covers
- Safety gloves
- Nuclear plant hazard alarm systems
- Water deionization equipment
- Portable two way radios
- Pipe camera inspection systems
- Air sample collection equipment
- Water samplers
- Level transmitters
- Water softeners
- Water recirculation pumps
- Portal monitors
- Ventilation systems
- Cooling towers
- Water conductivity testers
- Microsoft Excel
- Plant information data entry software
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Data logging software