Job Description
The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.
Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.
Assistant Scientist/Engineer/Technical Officer – Safety/Risk Assessment
Fulltime – One (1) Position Available
Position Location: Toronto Head Office – 2 St. Clair Avenue East
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Section Manager, Radiation Protection & Risk Assessment, the successful candidate will provide technical analysis, advice, and support in developing biophysical aspects of risk/safety assessments and radiation protection of nuclear waste repositories, including assisting with the definition of safety assessment needs and business planning.
Under direction of the supervisor or designated staff:
- Provide technical analysis, advice, and support in developing biophysical aspects of risk and safety assessments, for the protection of the environment and people from radiological and non-radiological hazards.
- Provide technical analysis and advice to support the development of the radiation protection program, and radiation protection design (e.g., shielding analysis, dose calculations).
- Assist with the identification, definition and evaluation of contracts related to biophysical science research, methods development, and safety assessment support.
- Assist with the development and issuance of contracting documents (RFPs) and evaluation and selection of contractors. Assist with the review of work plans; review of technical reports and outputs; and monitoring/reporting of contractor performance against work plans and schedule.
- Develop and review technical reports, papers, and presentations.
- Contribute as required to universities, committees, and task forces to conduct studies and or carry out work programs and to ensure best practices are followed for safety and risk assessment.
- Attend and/or appear before technical groups, government authorities, the public and other organizations as requested to assist supervisor or others.
- Participate in NWMO public engagement activities, including seeking community and Indigenous Knowledge input to the safety assessment.
- Keep abreast of developments in risk and safety assessment research through technical publications, contacts with internal and external experts in the field, and conference papers and presentations.
- Ensure employee health and safety activities meet or exceed the health, safety and environment requirements as outlined in NWMO policies, procedures, and standards by supporting a strong safety culture.
- Perform other duties as required.
Please note: This position is part of a promotion in place (PIP). Applicants with more experience/ qualifications may be consideredfor a position at a higher rate.
- A 4-year university degree in a relevant engineering, or science discipline, preferably, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, biology, physics, or environmental science discipline.
- Requires over 2 years and up to and including 4 years experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Developing conceptual models for physical processes
- Application of large computer models
- Ecological risk assessments
- Safety or risk analysis
- Environmental impact assessments
- Broad knowledge in several engineering and science disciplines relevant to repository safety assessment, such as radiation dose, contaminant transport, chemistry, environmental assessment, numerical modelling.
- Requires knowledge of regulatory criteria relevant to environmental and human impacts.
- Must be able to effectively apply theoretical and practical technical knowledge and use sound analytical thinking to solve problems in the appropriate subject areas.
- Experience working with safety assessment modelling tools, such as IMPACT, ADDAM, MCNP, MicroShield, or MicroSkyshine, would be an asset.
- Experience working under a quality assurance-based management system would be an asset.
- Experience integrating large technical documents would be an asset.
Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.
NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.
We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and pension plan.
The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodation, please contact us.