As a Reactor Operations Engineer(Human Factors), OR Human Factors Specialist, coordinates and conducts the review and evaluation of human-system interface designs and operations at nuclear power plants to ensure the effectiveness of operator interaction with plant operation; helps plan and analyze human factors studies and analyses of human factors in human-machine interface problems as they pertain to the design of plant controls and operations; and provides specialized assistance and advice in the area of human factors and human-machine system interfaces to other NRC divisions and offices.
Duties include (but are not limited to):
Coordinates and conducts evaluation of controls, displays, and alarms to ensure that operators understand the status of systems and system parameters and can act safely during normal and emergency conditions.
Coordinates and conducts the assessment of human-machine system interfaces important in control station environments, including: panel designs, with particular emphasis on the grouping of displays, controls, and other actuating devices; the format used for presenting process and safety-related information together with process limits, sensor limits, sensor status, and specific notations for process and calibration limit violations; the degree to which the licensee or applicant has performed analysis and used control station mock-ups to enhance operator decision- making and control actions; and the method of displaying alarms, considering alarm priority and grouping and identification of safety alarms.
Coordinates and conducts on-site technical audits of applicants' designs for selected control room functions and systems to observe “as built” implementation of NRC criteria.
Prepares responses and presentations to the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, NRC management, and outside groups on significant technical issues, concerns, or positions developed on licensing cases.
Evaluates safety concerns related to control room operability.
Plans, coordinates, and conducts technical meetings with licensees, reactor vendors, and other utility personnel regarding matters that affect human factors aspects of designs.
Explain technical positions or recommendations on varied and complex actions to senior technical staff and management personnel.
