Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the areas of expertise of the staff of the
Nonproliferation and National Security Department?
- What are the funding sources for NNSD?
- What relationship exists between NNSD and the
International Atomic Energy Agency?
- Does the NNSD perform classified work?
1. What are the areas of expertise of the staff of the
Nonproliferation and National Security Department?
The staff of the Nonproliferation and National Security Department
have expertise in domestic and international
safeguards, arms control and verification technology development,
nonproliferation, project management, physics,
applied mathematics, chemistry and nuclear engineering, and other
engineering fields.
2. What are the funding sources for NNSD?
NNSD divisions and project offices are funded through the Department
of Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of State,
Department of Homeland Security, and New York State.
3. What relationship exists between NNSD and the
International Atomic Energy Agency?
NNSD's International Safeguards Project Office (ISPO) is responsible
for the technical and administrative management of the U.S. Support
Program to IAEA Safeguards. The U.S. Support Program provides technical
assistance to increase the effectiveness and improve the efficiency of
IAEA safeguards. At present there are approximately 80 active tasks
addressing needs in radiation measurement, containment and surveillance,
training, information collection and analysis, information technology,
remote and unattended monitoring, and environmental sampling. In its
management role, ISPO maintains an office in the U.S. Mission Vienna and
has almost daily interaction with the staff of the IAEA Department of
Safeguards.
BNL and NNSD also host IAEA visitors throughout the year. Under
funding from the IAEA, BNL hosts the Training Workshop in Design
Information Review for the Entire Life Cycle of Research Reactors. In
this workshop, which is held at BNL once per year, IAEA safeguards
inspectors learn how to confirm the declared operational status of
research reactors and practice their skills by reviewing the design
information for the three decommissioned research reactors at BNL. NNSD
has also, since 1999, hosted Topical Workshops for discussion of
technical issues faced by the IAEA Department of Safeguards. In 1999,
the Topical Workshop focused on communication technology for remote
monitoring. In 2000, the workshop focused on information security and in
2001 Design and Testing for Equipment Reliability. These Topical
Workshops provide an opportunity for IAEA staff to interact with experts
from the U.S. public and private sector and receive advice and guidance
for improving their technical capacity. Finally, NNSD hosts the USSP
Biennial Review Meeting during which members of the IAEA, ISPO, the U.S.
government, and USSP contractors review the status of the USSP, its
active tasks, and the future needs of the IAEA. This meeting is attended
by management of the IAEA Department of Safeguards. The last such
meeting was held in October 2001.
ISPO is also responsible for recruiting U.S. citizens for positions
in the IAEA Department of Safeguards. ISPO staff members attend
tradeshows of technical and professional organizations to distribute
information about job opportunities at the IAEA. ISPO can also
facilitate the application process by providing information concerning
specific job vacancies, providing access to application forms, and
tracking applications through the IAEA recruitment process. Visit the
ISPO website for more information
about job opportunities at the IAEA.
4. Does the NNSD perform classified work?
Most activities are unclassified, but a few of the programs reference
classified information, while others generate classified reports. All
classified information deals with treaty verification, nuclear materials
safeguards, and security or nonproliferation issues, none of which deals
with the design or development of nuclear weapons.
Last Modified: June 19, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to:
Donna Occhiogrosso
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