Background

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) prides itself on creating a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, leadership, training, teamwork and work life balance.  Begin a challenging career as part of a select group of professionals who protect people and the environment with the peaceful use of nuclear materials in medicine, industry, and research.

This Historian position is located in the Office of the Secretary, NRC Headquarters, Rockville, MD.  As the NRC's Historian, you will provide authoritative assistance, consultation, and guidance to the Chair, Commissioners, and senior agency management on the history of nuclear licensing and regulation in the United States to support and facilitate major NRC functions and mission activities.  You will serve as the Commission’s expert and agency-wide resource for major policy, program, or operational initiatives associated with the history of nuclear regulation and act as the agency's principal liaison with external groups and organizations for all related matters. 

Duties:

• Serves as the Commission's expert on the history of nuclear licensing and regulation in the United States. Provides authoritative consultation, guidance and assistance, and coordination in identifying, analyzing, and evaluating complex historical policy issues on a wide range of subjects, including technical, scientific, political, social, and economic questions of national and international concern to the Commission and members of their staffs, the Secretary of the Commission, and other NRC offices and personnel. 
• Independently authors books and plans the scope, outline, emphasis, and content of the NRC history of nuclear licensing and regulation in the United States. 
• Independently authors agency reports and articles on NRC history for publication in historical or other professional journals. 
• Provides expert knowledge of historical research methodology for development of a program that utilizes various collections of historical records, including NRC records; Atomic Energy Commission records and other materials at the National Archives; privately held collections; Presidential and University library collections; digital repositories; and other sources to conduct research, analyze, and evaluate documents significant to NRC history. 
• Develops and conducts an oral history program for collecting data through direct interviews of persons who participated in the historical events to be recorded in the NRC history and through interviews with Commissioners and senior level officials for use in writing later volumes of NRC history. 
• Develops a peer review program that solicits comments and criticism from experts on the content and quality of draft manuscripts developed under the NRC history program. 
• Functions as the lead agency point of contact and liaison with external Government agencies, industry organizations, academia, and professional societies with interest in the NRC historical program and other public organizations. Functions as the lead agency point of contact and liaison with external research repository institutions that hold former Commissioner papers and represents the agency's position, procedures, and concerns to the repository organization with regard to access to the collection(s). Also represents the NRC as a member of interagency working groups and task forces, as well as professional association committees, advisory panels, or study groups. 
• Serves as an in-house consultant to the Chairman, Commissioners, Executive Director for Operations, Office Directors and support staffs for all questions relevant to the history of nuclear licensing and regulation in the U.S. Contributes to the Office of the Secretary’s development of operational strategies and work plans to ensure consistency of day-to-day activities with long-term policy goals and objectives in the NRC history program. 
• Functions as the lead agency point of contact on matters relating to the history of the NRC with media representatives and members of the public. Communicates to the general public the history of the NRC through documentaries, social media, television and radio programs, and at public symposia. 
• Serves as a source for the Commission and the agency staff on matters relating to “knowledge management” of the NRC’s historical activities, decisions, and legacy. Participates in teaching courses and gives talks to agency offices and programs on the history of the NRC.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the basic education requirements (see below) and have at least seven to ten years of specialized experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g., graduate degree) that demonstrates:

 (1) Expert knowledge of historical research methodology equivalent to that typically acquired through doctoral level graduate study in history and progressively responsible professional experience in historical research, writing, and publication.

 (2) Stature as an acknowledged expert in historical research as demonstrated by authorship of significant agency publications and policies, receipt of awards and professional honors, publication of books and articles, or participation on panels at professional meetings and conferences.

 (3) Broad knowledge of the NRC's mission, functions, organization, and basic regulatory philosophy and practices, as well as understanding of the relationship between the NRC and Congress, central management agencies, industry organizations, professional societies, and interest groups.

 (4) Ability to absorb, integrate, and synthesize complex technical information in developing effective operational or management support programs and policies.

 (5) Advanced Skills in oral and written communication sufficient to effectively convey and represent complex, detailed information of a programmatic and/or policy nature to colleagues, peers, senior office and agency management, and representatives of other institutions, agencies, or organizations.

 (6) Demonstrated ability to apply specialized knowledge and skills to the examination, evaluation, or resolution of complex programmatic, organizational, or policy issues; to establish new programs or approaches to difficult problems; and to contribute to the effective fulfillment of the agency’s mission.

 (7) Demonstrated ability to independently identify requirements for advanced research, analysis, or evaluation activities about complex Commission policy issues, ability to oversee and coordinate the work of contractors, when required, in carrying our such activities, and skill in achieving cooperation and consensus among parties engaged in joint or parallel efforts.

 (8) Demonstrated skill in addressing, both in written and oral presentations, groups and individuals outside the NRC who have little or no knowledge of agency history.

A detailed description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate; including types and complexity of projects or work assignments you have undertaken and your specific role (e.g., lead, contributor, etc.) that demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the area, should be addressed in your resume and additional space provided for supplemental response.

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Expert knowledge and application of historical methodology equivalent to that typically acquired through doctorate level graduate study in history, and progressively responsible professional experience in historical research, writing, and publication of scholarly histories that meet high professional standards and are well-regarded by experts in the field.  (Double Weighted) 

(Describe specific work experience, education and accomplishments that demonstrate your expert knowledge and application of established methods of historical investigation in order to collect, evaluate, analyze, and present historical information accurately in a clear and understandable manner.  Describe your experience using various collections of historical records (e.g., National Archives records, privately held collections, Presidential and University Library collections, and other sources) to conduct research, and analyze and evaluate documents.  Describe any experience you have in records management and archival practices.  Describe your experience and accomplishments writing significant articles, studies, or books, including peer-reviewed publications, and provide evidence of favorable reviews in professional journals.  Describe any honors or awards you have received.  Provide specific examples and accomplishments.)

2. Advanced skills in oral and written communication sufficient to effectively convey and present complex subject matter in a clear and understandable manner to colleagues, peers, senior management officials, representatives of other institutions, agencies or organizations, media representatives, and members of the public. 

(Describe the kinds of oral presentations or briefings you have made, and the audience levels and groups involved (i.e., colleagues, senior management officials, academia, professional societies, representatives of other institutions/organizations, etc.).  If the candidate has produced or made presentations through social media, describe those activities. Describe the nature, scope and complexity of the topics involved.  Describe your specific experience and accomplishments integrating and synthesizing complex subject matter in order to provide a comprehensive oral or written presentation for a lay audience.  Describe your contributions to publication of articles, books or studies in your field.  Describe your experience participating on panels or at professional meetings and conferences.  Provide specific examples and accomplishments reflecting your ability to explain and present facts and ideas in a clear, concise and understandable manner.)

3. Demonstrated ability to function as an organizational representative and liaison, and to develop effective working relationships with all levels of management and staff. 

(Describe the various types and levels of individuals you routinely interact with and for what purposes.  Describe your experience representing your organization before a variety of individuals and your success in achieving organizational goals and objectives.  Describe your experience interacting and/or representing your organization on interagency working groups and task forces, as well as professional association committees, advisory panels, or study groups. Provide specific examples of developing professional networks with other organizations and situations which required you to use tact, diplomacy and negotiation skills to achieve cooperation and develop consensus, and your accomplishments in building coalitions and effective work relationships.)

Education

Basic Requirements

1. Degree: history; or related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history.

OR

2. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in history, or a major in a related field that included at least 18 semester hours in history, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Graduate Education

Graduate study in the social sciences or humanities may also be credited when such study included training in historical research methodology; or the thesis approached the subject from an historical viewpoint and used professional historical research methodology and techniques in its preparation.

Be sure to review the complete details of the Qualifications sections in the official Job Opening Announcement (JOA) at USAJOBS.gov.

How to Apply

Visit www.nrc.gov. Review the NRC Opportunities page and click on “view a list of current NRC vacancies, please visit USAJobs EXIT.”  Find the Historian Job Announcement Number SECY-2024-0002 and apply on-line by November 8, 2024. 

We strongly encourage you to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position so that you correctly submit all necessary materials and documentation. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and responses to any vacancy questions to determine your level of knowledge, skill and ability related to the job requirements. 

If you are viewing this announcement after the closing date of November 8, 2024 please visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Search/Results?a=NU00 to check out other jobs in which you may be interested.

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