Engineering

Engineering Realistic Job Preview

Energize Your Career Bruce Power is looking for skilled, energetic people who want to work in a dynamic and innovative company. The job of an engineer is unique and challenging. Learn more about this career opportunity and find out if it is right for you.

Becoming an Engineer at Bruce Power The nuclear engineer position is unique and challenging. In this booklet, you will find up-to-date job information about all aspects of the position. Bruce Power is a young, progressive company with a bright future. As a high-tech company in a rural, lakeside setting, we offer a rare opportunity to balance both lifestyle and career development. We will be producing clean nuclear energy for many years to come and we are looking for skilled, energetic people who want to work in a dynamic and innovative company. This booklet will give you a better idea if this is the position for you.

Above: Engineers doing a rooftop walkdown of a lightning dissipation system.

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

Table of Contents Overview of the hiring process. . . . . . 4 Life as a new nuclear engineer. .

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Overview of the job. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Training and career opportunities

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Pay, benefits and rewards . . . . . . . . . 9 Safety, community and success. . . . . 10 What our employees have to say about working at Bruce Power . . . . . . 12

A view of the turbine hall and the floor below at the Bruce B generating station.

Retube work being performed on the Bruce A Restart project. 3

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

An aerial view of Bruce Power’s Tiverton site.

“What can I expect when applying for a position?” Step 1: Apply

Step 4: Interview

When a vacancy is advertised, you must submit an application online at www.brucepower.com. You must be eligible to work in Canada.

Candidates who are successful at the testing phase will be invited to attend a structured, behaviour-based interview.

Step 2: Review We review all applications to determine if they meet the criteria. To be considered, you must have successfully completed a recognized four-year university degree in an appropriate engineering or science field of study (or the equivalent) from a Canadian university. You will be expected to have excellent written and oral communication skills along with knowledge of physics, chemistry, metallurgy, mathematics, electricity, engineering and economics. You must provide official documentation that you have met the education requirements.

Step 3: Testing The hiring manager may request tests which could include assessment in areas of critical reasoning, English skills, technical aptitude and safety consciousness. Candidates must pass these tests in accordance with the minimum criteria required for the position. 4

The interview will consist of a series of job-related questions. All candidates are asked the same structured questions and evaluated against the same job-related criteria. The questions are behaviourally-based (i.e., you will be asked to provide examples of how you have dealt with various job-related scenarios in the past to demonstrate that you have the relevant experience).

Step 5: Short list A job offer is conditional upon successfully passing all security, medical, background and screening checks. Security checks include: Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) background checks prior to site admittance.

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

“What’s life like as a new nuclear engineer?” Bruce Power currently operates six reactors, with two reactors at Bruce A and four at Bruce B. We are in the process of restarting two more units at Bruce A — a massive capital project that will boost our capacity by 1,500 megawatts. Although there are some minor differences between the two stations, the job of a nuclear engineer is essentially the same at both stations and elsewhere on site. Based on your specific discipline and experience, you will have been selected for a specific position within the Engineering organization. The Engineering division supports all engineering activities associated with the safe operation of the operating units, as well as selected activities in support of projects.

Probationary Period The first six months are considered to be a ‘probationary period’ for the new nuclear engineer. Mandatory union dues and access to Bruce Power benefits, including pension plan enrolment, are provided during this period.

Orientation and Training Once hired, candidates begin general training. The initial science fundamentals and station systems training takes approximately 13 weeks. Your success will depend upon your ability to be self-directed, to learn within short timeframes and to process lots of information. Once complete, you will be given stream-specific training according to your job. Periods of classroom and computer-based courses are followed by on-the-job training. During on-the-job training, the trainee will work under the guidance of an experienced engineer. Classroom and computer-based training will be more theoretical while on-the-job training will involve the application of your classroom learning. View of Bruce B generating station from Lake Huron.

“We have defined diversity as the acknowledgement and appreciation that each individual has unique perspectives and life experiences. By embracing and respecting these visible and invisible differences, we create an environment where each employee feels empowered to achieve his or her best.” Duncan Hawthorne, President & CEO 5

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

“What is my day-to-day work life going to be like?” It’s a natural question, so we offer this broad description of the duties and other characteristics of an engineer’s job. It is not meant to be exhaustive in its description but rather a summary of some of the key aspects of the position.

Job Duties All employees are required to adhere to safety procedures at all times to prevent workplace accidents and protect their own safety and the safety of others. Similar to other engineering positions, the nuclear engineer is required to provide technical evaluations and advice, solve problems and co-ordinate technical work in a number of major work areas, including the support of commissioning, safe operation and maintenance of the facilities. Preparation of technical documents such as equipment specifications, engineering calculations, installation, testing, operating and maintenance procedures and the like is required. At times, there may be a requirement to discuss issues with regulatory and government agencies, equipment manufacturers and experts external to the company for the purposes of presenting or gathering information for problem solving or benchmarking. Other activities include maintaining design basis by following engineering change control process and procedures, procurement and contract management activities and applying project management skills to improve equipment, systems, unit reliability or performance. This could involve field support as well as independent tasks in an office setting. Each section within the division has unique responsibilities, providing a variety of tasks and training for all engineering staff.

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Bruce Power’s head office on the Tiverton site.

Engineers often collaborate with other departments to complete a project.

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

The turbine hall in the Bruce B generating station.

“What else do I need to know?” Other important characteristics of the job include:

Schedule

Workload

Engineering staff normally work a 35-hour work week with variable starting times. If there is a requirement to work overtime, you will be compensated in accordance to the bargained items within the collective agreement that applies to your position. A typical workday includes paid time for two 10-minute breaks and a half-hour unpaid lunch period.

Tasks are assigned by each Section Manager and can be significantly different depending on the section to which you are assigned. Both teamwork and independent activities can be a part of each day. Performance Engineering staff are physically located in the stations whereas other engineering staff work in office environments elsewhere on site and would be required to go to the stations from time to time. During periodic unit outages, there is an additional focus to restart the units in a safe and timely manner, which can increase the workload for all involved.

Discretion and responsibility All staff are responsible for the safety of personnel, the station and the community. This is accomplished through strict adherence to policies and procedures at all times.

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Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

“Do I have to keep training and where can I go from here?” Training Upon completion of your initial and job-specific training, ongoing “continuing training” sessions are held to keep all engineering staff up to date with any changes to policies, procedures, and other relevant documentation, and also to cover topics of specific interest to the division personnel. Depending on your job and stream, your qualifications must be renewed or refreshed every one to three years. Bruce Power has a highly skilled and trained workforce. All managers are responsible for ensuring their staff is competent and qualified to complete their assigned tasks. This requires a combination of classroom, computer based training, on-the-job training and attendance at various conferences and seminars to keep updated on new technologies and process improvements.

Engineers review a procedure. 8

Career opportunities As a Bruce Power employee, you will have regular reviews of your performance with your manager. During those meetings, you will have an opportunity to discuss development plans and future career paths. There are sometimes opportunities to augment your training with additional programs which would support that development. Individuals may move to different positions at the same level in the organization (lateral move) or can move to higher positions (vertical moves). All open positions are posted internally, and interested and qualified individuals who apply will then be considered through a selection process.

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

“What about pay, supervision and work environment?” Pay and benefits Pay and benefits are based on a union collective agreement; both are very competitive. There is an opportunity to progress within the engineering discipline when you become a Bruce Power Employee. Economic increases are negotiated between Bruce Power and the Society of Energy Professionals. Gain sharing payments are offered contingent on the company meeting its business commitments including but not limited to safety targets, timelines and production targets. Your total rewards package will include health and dental benefits, group life insurance, vacation and short term and long term disability coverage. Supervision Engineers normally report to a Section Manager who would manage a team of six to 17 professional staff. Section Managers will periodically observe the execution of tasks and training activities of their staff. Work conditions Normally, engineering staff work in an office environment and are also be expected to provide support to Operations. This support may include station site visits, either indoors or out, crawling into tight spaces, climbing ladders and scaffolding and being in a noisy work environment. Safety equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), is provided and is required to be worn in any area outside of the office environment.

A Senior Technical Engineer in Reactor Safety Modelling reviews a flow sheet.

Bruce Power has implemented highly secure locker room facilities, separated for men and women. Individuals will need to be comfortable disrobing in front of their samesex colleagues because of non-partitioned same-sex locker rooms and shower facilities.

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Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

“What else do I need to know?” Safety Culture Safety is paramount in everything we do at Bruce Power. Since taking over the site in 2001, Bruce Power has reduced workplace injuries by 25 per cent. In 2010, we reached a milestone with our achievement of more than 21 million hours worked without an acute lost-time injury. Safety in all activities, both at work and at home, is a priority. Bruce Power has a sizable workforce. To support the work/life balance and the realities of living in small communities, we provide an onsite medical clinic and health services support, wellness programs, fitness centres, cafeterias, training facilities, and bus transportation to our Tiverton site from both Kincardine and Port Elgin. We also have an onsite shuttle bus service.

Community Involvement Bruce Power is extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a community that understands and supports our business. We are committed to working closely with our neighbouring communities through various initiatives that support safe and healthy lifestyles, ongoing education and the arts.

Critical Success Factors The engineer’s role is very diverse and within the Engineering organization there are many opportunities to be involved with either hands-on activities or more theoretical application of your education and experience. Part of your personal development may include different jobs within each department which add dimension to your abilities and broaden your base, providing greater flexibility along your career path. If a leadership role is your long-term goal, opportunities for training and temporary supervisory assignments are often available. To further your formal education, support is provided not only through the UNENE program (University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering) but also by attending seminars, workshops and task-specific training provided by Bruce Power or outside agencies. Being recognized as a team player willing to take on any challenge will provide you with a rewarding career in the constantly evolving field of electricity generation.

Every year, we support more than 100 local groups, charities and events through our sponsorship program, but our approach to philanthropy is not all about financial donations. Our employees demonstrate their generosity in numerous ways ranging from mentoring students, contributing to book drives and volunteering throughout our communities. One of our initiatives, the Living Snow Fence, embodies our commitment to safety, community involvement and environmental stewardship. Since 2003, volunteers have planted more than 7,000 trees to act as a natural barrier to the blowing snow on our highways.

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Volunteers from Bruce Power plant trees in the community.

Nuclear Engineer | Realistic Job Preview

Kincardine’s lighthouse is one of the town’s most famous landmarks.

Fireworks from Bruce Power’s annual Beach Party in Port Elgin. Small town living on the shores of Lake Huron has its share of benefits.

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What our employees have to say about working at Bruce Power: “Safety is a number one value and priority at Bruce Power.” “Bruce Power has a social conscience. The community is Bruce Power and Bruce Power is the community. The company reflects the community values to a greater degree than what one would find in the city.” “Shift crews are often described as a shift family. People care for each other here because it is a small community.” “In this day and age, job security is a big issue, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more secure job in this area (of work).” “A nice thing about the area is that there is a lot to do if you like to be outside and there is fresh air and quiet.”

CS • 09712 SEPT 2010