Job Summary
#CA-PS Under the general supervision of the MNRC director and working with the MNRC reactor supervisor, serve as a licensed reactor operator. Reactor operator roles will include operating the MNRC reactor, performing reactor maintenance required by the facility's license with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and determining a path forward for addressing the replacement of obsolete reactor components. This position will also serve as a systems administrator, working with the facility's senior systems administrator to maintain and upgrade the facility's Windows based network and workstations. Apply By Date 5/14/2026 at 11:59pm Qualifications Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active reactor operators license as governed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- BA or BS degree in physical science or equivalent experience from the US Nuclear Navy program or equivalent experience at another research reactor.
- Experience working in a university laboratory setting, a nuclear reactor, or a commercial laboratory that utilizes radiation.
- Organizational skills to meet numerous established deadlines; flexibility to respond to unforeseen requests and establish an effective administrative flow system to maintain a high level of productivity.
- Experience supporting safe operations in a regulated technical environment, including following written procedures and stopping/escalating work for unsafe conditions.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret, evaluate, and document test/inspection results, including preparing reports/records that meet procedural, quality, and customer/specification requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in nuclear physics, Radiation Health physics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering.
- Experience in health physics practices
- Experience assisting researchers with design and implementation of experiments.
- Expertise, experience and knowledge in monitoring, directing, testing and approving operations involving reactor start-up, power changes and reactor shut downs. Expertise, experience and knowledge in reactor maintenance, water chemistry treatment and nuclear surveillance testing.
- Knowledge of federal and state licensing agency requirements and conditions of technical specifications and operational requirements of nuclear Reactor and skills to implement them.
Key Responsibilities
- 70% - Reactor Operator
- 30% - IT System Administrator
Department Overview Primary worksite is located at the McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center. Incumbent must participate in radiation dose monitoring program; background check required. Maintain a reactor operator license (to be completed with 24 months of hiring date). Incumbent must be familiar with Reactor Operations. All employees of MNRC are held responsible for the safe operations of the facility, for the safety of personnel and equipment, and for strict adherence to the terms and conditions of technical specifications and operational requirements of equipment and facility. This requirement includes adhering to all departmental quality control requirements and independently identifying perceived unsafe practices or equipment and bringing them to the attention of the appropriate person for resolution. POSITION INFORMATION
Benefits Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.
If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family
- Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave
- Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles
- Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here
Physical Demands
- Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Twisting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Environmental Demands
- Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Loud noise levels - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Mental Demands
- Sustained attention and concentration - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Numerical skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Work Environment UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
-Work in areas that may contain radioactive materials, pyrotechnic devices, and fall hazards. -Must participate in radiation dose monitoring and regulation program. -May require in and out-of-state travel occasionally. -May require working outside the standard schedule, with supervisor's preauthorization. -Obtain and maintain Nuclear Regulatory Reactor Operator License. Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position
- This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
- This is a position with direct access to or responsibility for controlled substances, high risk hazardous chemicals, biological or radioactive/nuclear materials
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.
As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination
Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere
To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks
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