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

[Jackal301]

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

Loveland CO... do you work for anything associated with WECC or "Peak Reliability"? 

 

[Jackal301]

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.

Yeah I am pretty aware of how crappy DOE is there and INL, I don't think I could stand working at a NL. 

 

[sambisu]

Loveland CO... do you work for anything associated with WECC or "Peak Reliability"? 

I work for Reclamation, but we interface with WECC quite a bit. We manage the power generation facilities. They manage everything on the distribution end (switchyard and out).

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Yeah I am pretty aware of how crappy DOE is there and INL, I don't think I could stand working at a NL. 

Not all national labs are that bad. Some are actually great places to work.

 

[cornsnicker3]

Not all national labs are that bad. Some are actually great places to work.

I did research at NREL (ironic, right?) and felt that it was a pretty great place to work. People were friendly and professional. My former manager was a bit stunned that my first job out of my Masters was working in the Bakken though. I guess I am a traitor  :B

 

[RBHeadge PE]

NREL was always the black sheep of the national laboratory system. The only GOGO and all about renewables.

 

[Szar]

Nuke work sucks as for a consulting firm... so much damn paperwork and bureaucracy!

 

[samiam9005]

Nuke work sucks as for a consulting firm... so much damn paperwork and bureaucracy!

I heard north korea may still be hiring... 

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Nuke work sucks as for a consulting firm... so much damn paperwork and bureaucracy!

Depends on your perspective. It's all I've ever known so I think it's all normal. Meanwhile when I look the supporting information (or lack thereof) of anything not-nuclear, I think it's some kind of amateur farm league mickey mouse b$%^&*it.

 

[Jackal301]

Depends on your perspective. It's all I've ever known so I think it's all normal. Meanwhile when I look the supporting information (or lack thereof) of anything not-nuclear, I think it's some kind of amateur farm league mickey mouse b$%^&*it.

Completely agreed lol. The non-nuc work where I am at is a total joke. Zero documentation, I don't understand how they get anything done. 

 

[sambisu]

My previous job was as an engineer working at an Exelon nuke plant in Illinois. I like what I do much better now. Plus I don't have to deal with ridiculous security to get into work every day.

 

[RBHeadge PE]

Plus I don't have to deal with ridiculous security to get into work every day.

Just trust me when i say that there is much stricter entry security than at a mundane nuke plant.

 

[Jackal301]

My previous job was as an engineer working at an Exelon nuke plant in Illinois. I like what I do much better now. Plus I don't have to deal with ridiculous security to get into work every day.

I pay $6 a day to park, then proceed to walk 10-20 minutes to my desk (depending on what I am working on). I do not work in a big city, the security is very frustrating. 

 

[Szar]

Listen, im all for well documented construction documents.

But for a lighting system... Not having a 100 page customer specification that is 25 years old and hasn't been updated since HPS was da bomb, having 5 meetings to discuss the pros and cons of a specific luminaire location, primary and redundant power systems, certified foot candle calcs, and making sure the luminaire is certified from source materials to delivery.... absolutely freaking priceless.

 

[Jackal301]

Listen, im all for well documented construction documents.

But for a lighting system... Not having a 100 page customer specification that is 25 years old and hasn't been updated since HPS was da bomb, having 5 meetings to discuss the pros and cons of a specific luminaire location, primary and redundant power systems, certified foot candle calcs, and making sure the luminaire is certified from source materials to delivery.... absolutely freaking priceless.

Hahahah... "Illumination Engineering"

 

[RBHeadge PE]

I sadly know the answer to the question

How many nuclear engineers does it take to change a lightbulb?

Spoiler

17, not including the other 13 who have to figure out what to do with the old one for the next 10 million years

becuase I was one of them.

 

[RBHeadge PE]

since HPS was da bomb

HPS? Health Physics Society?

 

[Audi Driver P.E.]

Good money on the cut score being right at the passing mark.

 

[Szar]

HPS? Health Physics Society?

High pressure sodium.   :BS:

 

[TDivo]

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

I’m looking at a job in the Bureau of Rec at the TSC. The special rate table says this is only for positions directly involved in power - do you know if this will apply to all engineers at the Bureau or not? If so, this definitely changes things. That’s a huge difference at GS-12.