Shift Technical Advisor Professional Development Seminar

DOE-HDBK-1115-98

APPENDIX B

SHIFT TECHNICAL ADVISOR PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR

A professional development seminar for STAs may be conducted by the facility. The purpose

of this appendix is to provide facility and training management a description of the seminar for

their use in planning professional development assignments. The seminar should augment,

but not replace, each facility's professional development program for STAs.

A major attribute of this seminar is the interaction of trainees with their peers from other shifts

in the facility. The benefit of this interaction will be the sharing by peers of different

experiences, perspectives, and methods for effectively overseeing a shift crew. Each newly

qualified STA should attend the seminar a short time after being assigned to the position.

The content of the Shift Technical Advisor Professional Development Seminar should

incorporate the knowledge and skills beyond those necessary for initial training and

qualification. The content of the seminar is primarily focused on leadership and management

learning objectives, including some of the same subject areas as were in the initial training

program for STAs. The seminar should be conducted in a facilitative manner that allows STAs

to share experiences with one another, and should include the following subjects:

Oversight of Facility Operations-- evaluating conditions of reduced facility safety and

recommending actions (to the shift supervisor) to minimize the impact of adverse

conditions on facility operations and on public safety.

Promoting Team Communication-- application of team communication skills and the

STA's role in promoting good communications.

Team-Building Techniques-- role of the team leader, facilitation skills to obtain the best

results from the team as a whole and when participative management may be

exercised.

Applying Interpersonal Skills-- various situations of interaction between the STA and

the shift crew or other facility members in which the STA should optimize the responses

of the individuals involved to achieve management objectives.

Fact Gathering Through Interviews-- the interview process, common interviewer

mistakes, and listening techniques. (Type of interviewing addressed involves

day-to-day facility interactions with operators, maintenance personnel, technicians,

engineers, and other support personnel.)

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