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Systems Operator in Training (SO-IT) - Plant Farley

Columbia, AL
Full-Time

Job Description

SYSTEMS OPERATOR IN TRAINING (SO-IT) – PLANT FARLEY

Join the Southern Nuclear team at Plant Farley – a provider of clean, reliable nuclear energy for almost 50 years – located in Columbia, AL, in Houston County along the Chattahoochee River. Near the city of Dothan and several smaller communities, the area offers both suburban and rural living, making it a fit for both families and young professionals. There is affordable living, a strong sense of community and ample access to outdoor recreation. Residents benefit from desirable local school systems, family-friendly events and convenient access to health care, shopping, dining and entertainment with only a short drive to Florida’s Emerald Coast beaches. This is an exciting time to join the Southern Company team and share your talents with a growing and progressive organization!

Job Description

We are currently seeking qualified individuals interested in becoming a Systems Operator in Training at Farley Nuclear Power Plant. Be part of a talented and progressive team that works well together. You must be committed to the success of your peers as well as your own. In this position, the candidate will initially enter an approximate 12-month training program to become a Systems Operator. Once successfully trained, the Systems Operator is responsible for operating various parts of the nuclear plant to ensure safe, efficient operation of facility.  

Systems Operators in Training will attend the in-house training with no collateral duties.  

Operators are responsible for the monitoring of equipment, performance of valve and system operation evolutions, and performance of unit evolution and cleanliness of equipment in assigned areas of the plant. They are expected to maintain satisfactory performance in system operator requalification program and progress towards qualification as plant operator. The candidate must consistently meet and demonstrate the expectations of Southern Company Values and Principles of Nuclear operation.  

This position is covered under a collective bargaining unit and has a starting wage of $45.45/hr. 

Requirements 

Education Requirements – (will meet at least 1 of the following 4 requirements)

  • Associate’s degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology (NUCP), Engineering Technology or equivalent OR
  • BS Engineering or Engineering Technology degree or other related BS Degree (must graduate by Q4 2026) OR
  • Previous experience as a non-licensed operator at a commercial nuclear power plant OR 24 months Navy Nuclear experience as MM, EM, ET, Reactor Operator, EOW/PPWO, EWS/PPWS can be substituted for degree

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Knowledge/experience in the operation of power plant equipment.
  • Previous navy nuclear experience a plus.
  • Skills in problem solving, decision making, oral/written communication, multiple-tasking are required.
  • Candidate must have ability to work independently as well as interdependently and be safety minded.
  • Candidates should be committed to personal development, self-motivated and a team player.

Fundamental Job Duties

  • Successful completion of SOIT training
  • Participates in classroom training to learn responsibilities of Systems Operator
  • Participates in On-the-Job Training activities in the plant
  • Acquires knowledge of plant systems and equipment
  • Operates and maintains plant systems and equipment
  • Records systems/equipment operating data
  • Monitors/evaluates systems/equipment operation
  • Performs Surveillance Testing
  • Pursues Reactor Operator license
  • Performs heavy manual duties inside/outside environment
  • Serves as a member of the plant Fire Brigade
  • Perform Emergency Response duties

Physical / Mental Requirements

  • Respirator qualifiable
  • Physical requirements: Stand, walk, climb, heavy lifting, bend, stoop
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to follow critical procedures
  • Fire Brigade qualifiable
  • Ability to work in temperature extremes
  • Ability to work at varying heights
  • Ability to work in Radiological Controlled Areas
  • Available to work callout and overtime
  • Ability to work shift schedules which can include nights, weekends, and holidays

Other Requirements 

  • Driver's License  
  • Nuclear Plant Access Authorization  
  • POSS Nuclear Test qualified

This position is covered under a collective bargaining unit and will be filled in accordance with the bargaining unit’s Memorandum of Understanding.  

Required Behavioral Attributes

Employees of Southern Company and Southern Nuclear exemplify Southern Company Values, which are actions and behaviors that are modeled in their everyday work-life. Candidates for employment are also expected to exhibit these attributes. What we seek are individuals who exhibit:

  • Safety First - We actively care about the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities.  Safely approaching every job, every day, always comes first.
  • Intentional Inclusion – We are One Team, working to foster a culture of belonging and ensuring our diverse team feels valued.  Investing in an equitable culture benefits employees, customers, communities, and shareholders.
  • Act with integrity – We act with honesty, respect, and fairness, demonstrating trustworthiness in all we do.  We are true to our word and follow through on our commitments.
  • Superior Performance – We keep customers at the center of everything we do, with a focus on continuous improvement.  We provide exceptional service, delivering innovative solutions that benefit our customers, communities, investors, and the environment.
PDN-a238e5d9-95c4-4fe5-b819-eef44573a0c6

SYSTEMS OPERATOR IN TRAINING (SO-IT) – PLANT FARLEY

Join the Southern Nuclear team at Plant Farley – a provider of clean, reliable nuclear energy for almost 50 years – located in Columbia, AL, in Houston County along the Chattahoochee River. Near the city of Dothan and several smaller communities, the area offers both suburban and rural living, making it a fit for both families and young professionals. There is affordable living, a strong sense of community and ample access to outdoor recreation. Residents benefit from desirable local school systems, family-friendly events and convenient access to health care, shopping, dining and entertainment with only a short drive to Florida’s Emerald Coast beaches. This is an exciting time to join the Southern Company team and share your talents with a growing and progressive organization!

Job Description

We are currently seeking qualified individuals interested in becoming a Systems Operator in Training at Farley Nuclear Power Plant. Be part of a talented and progressive team that works well together. You must be committed to the success of your peers as well as your own. In this position, the candidate will initially enter an approximate 12-month training program to become a Systems Operator. Once successfully trained, the Systems Operator is responsible for operating various parts of the nuclear plant to ensure safe, efficient operation of facility.  

Systems Operators in Training will attend the in-house training with no collateral duties.  

Operators are responsible for the monitoring of equipment, performance of valve and system operation evolutions, and performance of unit evolution and cleanliness of equipment in assigned areas of the plant. They are expected to maintain satisfactory performance in system operator requalification program and progress towards qualification as plant operator. The candidate must consistently meet and demonstrate the expectations of Southern Company Values and Principles of Nuclear operation.  

This position is covered under a collective bargaining unit and has a starting wage of $45.45/hr. 

Requirements 

Education Requirements – (will meet at least 1 of the following 4 requirements)

  • Associate’s degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology (NUCP), Engineering Technology or equivalent OR
  • BS Engineering or Engineering Technology degree or other related BS Degree (must graduate by Q4 2026) OR
  • Previous experience as a non-licensed operator at a commercial nuclear power plant OR 24 months Navy Nuclear experience as MM, EM, ET, Reactor Operator, EOW/PPWO, EWS/PPWS can be substituted for degree

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Knowledge/experience in the operation of power plant equipment.
  • Previous navy nuclear experience a plus.
  • Skills in problem solving, decision making, oral/written communication, multiple-tasking are required.
  • Candidate must have ability to work independently as well as interdependently and be safety minded.
  • Candidates should be committed to personal development, self-motivated and a team player.

Fundamental Job Duties

  • Successful completion of SOIT training
  • Participates in classroom training to learn responsibilities of Systems Operator
  • Participates in On-the-Job Training activities in the plant
  • Acquires knowledge of plant systems and equipment
  • Operates and maintains plant systems and equipment
  • Records systems/equipment operating data
  • Monitors/evaluates systems/equipment operation
  • Performs Surveillance Testing
  • Pursues Reactor Operator license
  • Performs heavy manual duties inside/outside environment
  • Serves as a member of the plant Fire Brigade
  • Perform Emergency Response duties

Physical / Mental Requirements

  • Respirator qualifiable
  • Physical requirements: Stand, walk, climb, heavy lifting, bend, stoop
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to follow critical procedures
  • Fire Brigade qualifiable
  • Ability to work in temperature extremes
  • Ability to work at varying heights
  • Ability to work in Radiological Controlled Areas
  • Available to work callout and overtime
  • Ability to work shift schedules which can include nights, weekends, and holidays

Other Requirements 

  • Driver's License  
  • Nuclear Plant Access Authorization  
  • POSS Nuclear Test qualified

This position is covered under a collective bargaining unit and will be filled in accordance with the bargaining unit’s Memorandum of Understanding.  

Required Behavioral Attributes

Employees of Southern Company and Southern Nuclear exemplify Southern Company Values, which are actions and behaviors that are modeled in their everyday work-life. Candidates for employment are also expected to exhibit these attributes. What we seek are individuals who exhibit:

  • Safety First - We actively care about the safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities.  Safely approaching every job, every day, always comes first.
  • Intentional Inclusion – We are One Team, working to foster a culture of belonging and ensuring our diverse team feels valued.  Investing in an equitable culture benefits employees, customers, communities, and shareholders.
  • Act with integrity – We act with honesty, respect, and fairness, demonstrating trustworthiness in all we do.  We are true to our word and follow through on our commitments.
  • Superior Performance – We keep customers at the center of everything we do, with a focus on continuous improvement.  We provide exceptional service, delivering innovative solutions that benefit our customers, communities, investors, and the environment.
PDN-a238e5d9-95c4-4fe5-b819-eef44573a0c6

About Southern Company

Southern Company is one of the largest energy providers in the United States. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.

The men and women who work at Southern Company understand that we don’t simply provide a product or service. Clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy is essential to our way of life. More than 100 years ago, our company played a major role in the growth and prosperity of the South – and we continue to play a role today through our support of economic development and our philanthropic efforts. We believe the communities we serve should be better off because we’re there.

Our principal business is to make, move and sell energy. Those are the “whats” of our business. But it’s the “hows” that make us different. The actions of our employees are what truly define us and have earned us a high level of trust among our customers, shareholders and regulators.

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Southern Company
Systems Operator in Training (SO-IT) - Plant Farley
Southern Company
Columbia, AL
Jul 10, 2026
Full-time
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