So like what do you think the cut score will be? Like seriously?

[RBHeadge PE]

Only a 0840. Which I am worried that my GS scale will not transfer over to a 0850 if I apply at BPA.. :/ 

If you at a low enough grade it will matter when you go over to a different series. In my experience the locality pay overtakes the 840 scale pretty fast.

 

[cornsnicker3]

LOL. You don't work for govt. apparently.

I was in the National Guard. DOD is supreme lord and master of inefficient and unnecessary. I am naively idealistic however.

 

[sambisu]

Only a 0840. Which I am worried that my GS scale will not transfer over to a 0850 if I apply at BPA.. :/ 

If you are looking for new gov't work, USACE, DOE, and BOR just approved a new pay scale for most engineering series. Pretty huge pay bump that makes us much more competitive with private industry:

https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/2018/Table075305272018.aspx

GS-12 now starts at $99,640

 

[Jackal301]

If you at a lot enough grade it will matter when you go over to a different series. In my experience the locality pay overtakes the 840 scale pretty fast.

I'm a GS-12. I have Seattle locality soooo it will be hard to beat that. 

 

[Supe]

Is it justified or is it unnecessary bureaucracy?

Unnecessary having lived it day in and day out.  There are ample methods for vetting engineering design changes that don't need to involve the cost, schedule burden, and limitations of the licensing change process.  It's compounded by the fact that the regulatory bodies expect a much higher level of detail and commitment in the design certification and UFSAR's than the existing plants.

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Nuclear power, as a base load, is always more economically advantageous. Palo Verde in AZ: 4GW electrical output. 94% capacity factor. 

Nope.  Especially when Part 52 licensing and first of a kind design changes f*ck you into the ground. 

See @Supe's post above. :thumbs:

Palo Verde was a legacy design, and built pretty recently, so I don't think the example applies here. Plus it's powering a huge chunk of SoCal 'cause those idiots don't know how to plan for generating electricity properly.

 

[Jackal301]

If you are looking for new gov't work, USACE, DOE, and BOR just approved a new pay scale for most engineering series. Pretty huge pay bump that makes us much more competitive with private industry:

https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/2018/Table075305272018.aspx

GS-12 now starts at $99,640

Where do I obtain a job in this "Special Rate" table...??  :huh:

 

[RBHeadge PE]

I'm a GS-12. I have Seattle locality soooo it will be hard to beat that. 

yeah, I'm surprised you're still on the 840 scale there and not the normal GS-SEA locality.

 

[sambisu]

Where do I obtain a job in this "Special Rate" table...??  :huh:

Look for postings in those series within DOE, USACE and BOR

 

[Jackal301]

Palo Verde was a legacy design, and built pretty recently, so I don't think the example applies here. Plus it's powering a huge chunk of SoCal 'cause those idiots don't know how to plan for generating electricity properly.

"WE NEED 20% RENEWABLES BY 2020" - closes 2 huge nuke plants - proceeds to import coal and nuclear from AZ and NV. 

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Where do I obtain a job in this "Special Rate" table...??  :huh:

https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/2018/Search.aspx

 

[sambisu]

Where do I obtain a job in this "Special Rate" table...??  :huh:

They are always hiring engineers at the BOR "Technical Service Center" in Denver. Pretty much any engineering position there is covered by that pay table.

 

[RBHeadge PE]

"WE NEED 20% RENEWABLES BY 2020" - closes 2 huge nuke plants - proceeds to import coal and nuclear from AZ and NV. 

In their defense. SoCal Edison broke Dolly (San Onofre) all by themselves.

 

[Jackal301]

Don't get me started on what a waste of money and resources "Green Energy" is. It is the furthest thing from "Green".

 

[knight1fox3]

Don't get me started on what a waste of money and resources "Green Energy" is. It is the furthest thing from "Green".

I had a course on this for my MS degree in power engineering. So true. LOL

 

[Jackal301]

In their defense. SoCal Edison broke Dolly (San Onofre) all by themselves.

True story. One of my co-workers that sits next to me used to work there. 

 

[Jackal301]

They are always hiring engineers at the BOR "Technical Service Center" in Denver. Pretty much any engineering position there is covered by that pay table.

Pretty much only looking for jobs in Phoenix, AZ , Vancouver, WA , or somewhere in ID so my options are limited. 

 

[knight1fox3]

Fun fact, the company I worked for previously (P&H/Konecranes) retrofitted the polar crane there at Palo Verde. Huge crane and huge project.

 

[sambisu]

Pretty much only looking for jobs in Phoenix, AZ , Vancouver, WA , or somewhere in ID so my options are limited. 

This is the new table for Phoenix and Vancouver, WA:

https://apps.opm.gov/SpecialRates/2018/Table075405272018.aspx

A little lower, but not by much. GS-12 starting at $97,520

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Pretty much only looking for jobs in Phoenix, AZ , Vancouver, WA , or somewhere in ID so my options are limited. 

If you have any self-worth you should avoid working for DOE/NE in Idaho (or elsewhere). I'd even go so far as to say to avoid all of INL.