Will “Nuclear Station Operator (NSO)” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
95% Chance of Automation
“Nuclear Station Operator (NSO)” 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 Plant Operator (NPO)
- 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 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 Station Operator (NSO)”
- Conduct inspections or operations outside of control rooms as necessary.
- Direct the collection and testing of air, water, gas, or solid samples to determine radioactivity levels or to ensure appropriate radioactive containment.
- 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.
- Implement operational procedures, such as those controlling start-up or shut-down activities.
- Respond to system or unit abnormalities, diagnosing the cause, and recommending or taking corrective action.
- Authorize maintenance activities on units or changes in equipment or system operational status.
- Develop or implement actions such as lockouts, tagouts, or clearances to allow equipment to be safely repaired.
- Dispatch orders or instructions to personnel through radiotelephone or intercommunication systems to coordinate auxiliary equipment operation.
- Authorize actions to correct identified operational inefficiencies or hazards so that operating efficiency is maximized and potential environmental issues are minimized.
- 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.
- Note malfunctions of equipment, instruments, or controls and report these conditions to supervisors.
- Direct reactor operators in emergency situations, in accordance with emergency operating procedures.
- 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.
- Direct measurement of the intensity or types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials.
- 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.
- Identify or direct implementation of appropriate decontamination procedures, based on equipment and the size, nature, and type of contamination.
- Record operating data, such as the results of surveillance tests.
- Monitor or operate boilers, turbines, wells, or auxiliary power plant equipment.
Related Technology & Tools
- Spent fuel handling machines
- Air purifying respirators
- Air sample collection equipment
- Master-slave manipulators
- Leak detection equipment
- Automatic control systems
- Nuclear plant hazard alarm systems
- Safety gloves
- Area gamma monitors
- Safety coveralls
- Radiation monitoring instruments
- Portable two way radios
- Protective shoe covers
- Personal computers
- Portal monitors
- Level transmitters
- Seismic monitoring instruments
- Water recirculation pumps
- Water samplers
- Air compressors
- Power plant turbine control panels
- Air monitoring equipment
- Water softeners
- Generator control panels
- Fuel handling systems
- Nuclear reactor control rod operation systems
- Water conductivity testers
- Water deionization equipment
- Pipe camera inspection systems
- pH testers
- Video borescopes
- Control rod drives
- Desktop computers
- Ventilation systems
- Cooling towers
- Radiation survey meters
- Pocket dosimeters
- Microsoft Excel
- Data logging software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Office
- Plant information data entry software