Savannah River Nuclear Solutions supports nuclear operations within multiple facilities at the Savannah River Site, all requiring the leadership and expertise of radiation protection inspectors to ensure the safe and successful conclusion of each day’s assignments.

“Radiation protection inspectors are the frontline of our nuclear safety at SRS,” said Greg Tunno, SRNS Director, Radiological Protection Department. “We depend on them and greatly appreciate their daily contributions to our company operations.”

Tunno noted that through normal attrition there is an ongoing need to hire inspectors at SRS.
“I’m confident that we’ll be hiring radiation protection inspectors every year, at a minimum, for at least the next five years. It’s degree programs like the Radiation Protection and Control Program at Aiken Technical College that we’re working closely with to fill these needs. We’ve hired most of the
Radiation Protection and Control Program graduates interested in working at SRS. I don’t see that changing any time soon.”

SRNS Regulatory/Radiation Protection Training Manager Cristie Shuford, a former radiation protection inspector at SRS, explained that the pay and benefits at SRNS are highly valued and the opportunity for promotion is exceptional due to the large size of the organization and variety of missions and programs. “I’m an example that committed hard work for a good company pays off,” said Shuford. “There’s not just radiation protection jobs, but a potential career here at SRNS that we are offering.”

“We’ve been impressed with the ATC graduates,” added Shuford. She explained that ATC has revised their curriculum to closely match the training used by SRNS when hiring candidates with no experience or education in radiation protection. Last year alone, more than 20 applicants found employment at SRNS as radiation protection inspectors.

“Growing up, I always wanted to do something to help people, but not as a doctor. I’ve found that a career in this field gives me the ability to help people by protecting them from the hazards of radiation. Radiation protection workers are important to the future of nuclear operations.

Hopefully many other students will join us in this wonderful program.” -– ATC Radiation Protection student Cassie Jennings Tunno noted that at least four or five students who recently joined SRNS as radiation protection inspectors are the sons and daughters of current and former SRNS Inspectors. “This indicates to me that their parents have found this job rewarding and have passed that on to their children,” he said.

“There’s a lot of job security and growth opportunity with this set of skills and abilities,” said Tunno. According to information from Aiken Tech, the Associate Degree in Applied Science with a Major in Radiation Protection Technology builds the skills necessary to evaluate a nuclear work site where radiation must be monitored and managed.

Students will learn how to minimize exposure to radiation for workers; how to perform required surveys for radiation and radioactive contamination; and how to analyze data to find and correct potential errors at nuclear facilities.

Aiken Technical College offers several financial aid options including South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance for eligible South Carolina residents. Students enrolled in Aiken Tech’s Radiation Protection and Control Program may also apply for a $2,000 Workforce Opportunities in Regional Careers grant.

“Our mission is to provide citizens of greater Aiken County with opportunities for educational and workforce development. We’ve worked closely with SRNS to help identify workforce needs and create academic programs to educate and prepare students for careers in the nuclear industry,” said Dr. Forest E. Mahan, President, Aiken Technical College.