Occupation Details
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$78,330.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$121,000.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$127,330.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
26,550
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
30,050
+350 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
3,744
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics
Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Air purifying respirators
- Air sampling devices
- Airline respirators
- Alpha/beta surface contamination monitors
- Area gamma monitors
- Atmosphere supplying respirators
- Contamination probes
- Cryogenic microcalorimeters
- Cryostats
- Desktop computers
- Digital ratemeters
- Digital spectrum analyzers
- Dose rate monitors
- Electron microscopes
- Gamma ray detectors
- Gamma ray spectrometers
- Geiger-Muller counters
- Ionization chambers
- Liquid scintillation counters
- Multichannel analyzers
- Neutron detectors
- Neutron dose-rate meters
- Neutron spectrometers
- Nuclear moisture/density gauges
- Personal computers
- Portable data collectors
- Portable spectroscopes
- Portal monitors
- Pressure demand respirators
- Proportional counters
Technology
- AVEVA InTouch HMI
- Connectivity software
- Gamma waste assay system GWAS
- Google Compute Engine (GCE)
- Microsoft Azure
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows Server
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Java
- Radiological assessment display and control system RADACS
- Structured query language SQL
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- adjust production equipment/machinery setup
- clean equipment or machinery
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- prepare sample for laboratory testing, analysis, or microscopy
- collect samples for testing
- place radioactive waste in disposal containers
- operate cleaning equipment
- use electronic calibration devices
- operate industrial or nondestructive testing equipment
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate precision test equipment
- operate sandblasting equipment
- confer with scientists
- prepare safety reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- calibrate or adjust electronic equipment or instruments to specification
- set up or calibrate laboratory equipment
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- recommend action to ensure compliance
- advise authorities in procedures for radiation incidents or hazards
- conduct training for personnel
- apply cleaning solvents
- inspect or test materials to verify safety standards or ensure meeting of specifications
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- analyze effectiveness of safety systems or procedures
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- conduct evaluations of worker exposure to radiation or noise
- test air quality, noise, temperature, or radiation
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
- follow clinical radiation safety procedures
- perform varied measurements
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- identify properties of soil or water samples
- identify type of radiation
- adhere to safety procedures
- ensure prescribed safe radiation levels are maintained
- collect scientific or technical data
- monitor operating procedures of radiation producing equipment
- report information to supervisor verbally
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
- Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
- Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
- Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
- Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
- Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
- Instruct personnel in radiation safety procedures and demonstrate use of protective clothing and equipment.
- Collect samples of air, water, gases, or solids to determine radioactivity levels of contamination.
- Analyze samples, such as air or water samples, for contaminants or other elements.
- Enter data into computers to record characteristics of nuclear events or to locate coordinates of particles.
- Determine or recommend radioactive decontamination procedures, according to the size and nature of equipment and the degree of contamination.
- Set up equipment that automatically detects area radiation deviations and test detection equipment to ensure its accuracy.
- Calibrate and maintain chemical instrumentation sensing elements and sampling system equipment, using calibration instruments and hand tools.
- Prepare reports describing contamination tests, material or equipment decontaminated, or methods used in decontamination processes.
- Place radioactive waste, such as sweepings or broken sample bottles, into containers for shipping or disposal.
- Decontaminate objects by cleaning with soap or solvents or by abrading with wire brushes, buffing wheels, or sandblasting machines.
- Immerse samples in chemical compounds to prepare them for testing.
- Confer with scientists directing projects to determine significant events to monitor during tests.
- Operate manipulators from outside cells to move specimens into or out of shielded containers, to remove specimens from cells, or to place specimens on benches or equipment work stations.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
The American Institute of Physics (AIP) a membership corporation promots the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics and its application to human welfare. It is the mission of the Institute to serve physics, astronomy, and related fields of science and technology by serving its Member Societies and their associates, individual scientists, educators, R&D leaders, and the general public with programs, services and publications.
Learn MoreAmerican Nuclear Society
The core purpose of the American Nuclear Society is to promote the awareness and understanding of the application of nuclear science and technology.
Learn MorePeriodic Table of the Elements
Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed an interactive, internet resource for the science classroom, A Periodic Table of the Elements. When you open any file of an element in the periodic table, you will find a small table with some basic information about that element and this resource for elementary, middle and high school students gives a complete picture of the elements including the history, source, properties, uses and handling of.
Learn MoreRPI National Chemistry Week: Your Home-Its All Built on Chemistry
An annual event, Chemistry Week featured, Your Home-Its All Built on Chemistry. Over 500 parents and students attended interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities, a chemistry magic show, and a student poster competition to excite children and their families about science and technology, and encourage them to consider pursuing careers in science, engineering, and technology.
Learn MoreScience technicians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn MoreSolar Physics Group Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA)
The Sun is a source of light and heat for life on Earth, it is the source of the solar wind and it also serves an important role in helping us to understand the rest of the astronomical universe. How and why does the Sun vary? The Solar Physics Group at Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA) answers this question and more.
Learn More