Nuclear Operations Technician Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Nuclear Operations Technician

Best Schools to become a Nuclear Operations Technician in U.S. 2024

Excelsior University

Albany, NY

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:15,833

University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma City, OK

In-State Tuition:$5,220
Out-of-State Tuition:$21,985
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:N/A
Total Enrollment:3,389

Pitt Community College

Winterville, NC

In-State Tuition:$1,824
Out-of-State Tuition:$6,432
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:28%
Total Enrollment:7,144

Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga, TN

In-State Tuition:$4,104
Out-of-State Tuition:$16,920
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:22%
Total Enrollment:6,429

Houston Community College

Houston, TX

In-State Tuition:$2,904
Out-of-State Tuition:$3,624
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:17%
Total Enrollment:48,159

Three Rivers Community College

Norwich, CT

In-State Tuition:$4,176
Out-of-State Tuition:$12,552
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:16%
Total Enrollment:2,937
Nuclear Operations Technician 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.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Nuclear Operations Technician

Job Duties for Nuclear Operations Technicians

  • Adjust controls to position rod and to regulate flux level, reactor period, coolant temperature, or rate of power flow, following standard procedures.

  • Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.

  • Operate nuclear power reactors in accordance with policies and procedures to protect workers from radiation and to ensure environmental safety.

Technologies and Skills Used by Nuclear Operations Technicians

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Structured query language SQL

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • Reading work related information

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Nuclear Operations Technician

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Nuclear Operations Technician

FAQs About Becoming a Nuclear Operations Technician