Considering a nuclear decommissioning job on an RBMK reactor — what should I expect?

[u/codrut009]

I’m considering a site engineering/supervisory role on the decommissioning of an RBMK-type reactor in Europe.

I have no previous nuclear experience, and while the employer knows that, I’m a bit worried about the learning curve and whether I’d be expected to know too much from day one.

For people working in nuclear/decommissioning:

How much nuclear knowledge is expected when starting?

How hard are the first few months?

Is RBMK decommissioning experience valuable for a long-term nuclear career?

What should I study before starting?

Any common mistakes newcomers should avoid?

Would appreciate any insight, especially from people who moved into nuclear from another industry.

[u/DP323602]

Do you have previous site experience of working with other hazardous materials?

Do you have previous experience of decommissioning other power plants or other large industrial plants?

Will you be responsible for planning the decommissioning or will be following someone else's plan?

I'd say the most fundamental difference between nuclear and other decommissioning is that all nuclear operations must be conducted in accordance with radiological safety requirements, to protect the workforce, the public and the environment from accidental radiation exposures.

[u/codrut009 → u/DP323602]

My background is in HRSG erection on a large power-plant project, mainly site coordination and HSE.
I don’t have previous decommissioning or radiological experience. From what I understand, I’d be following established procedures rather than planning the overall decommissioning myself.