Meet the People of IAEA Safeguards

Owen LeGrone

How did you end up joining the IAEA and what were you doing prior to that?

My first exposure to the IAEA was accidental. I became aware of it during the summer of 2016, when I interned for Brookhaven National Laboratory in their Nonproliferation and National Security Department. IAEA staff were on site for an APEX (Additional Protocol Exercise) at the time, and I became fascinated with their work. After that, I kept an eye on what the Agency was doing. It wasn’t hard, since they are so often in the news.

Before joining the IAEA, I held a wide range of other jobs. Most recently, I worked for a small company in the Washington D.C. area that built web-based geospatial systems for the Department of Commerce. I did a number of internships with nuclear policy and nonproliferation-related organizations as well.

What have you learned about yourself while working in this capacity?

This position has been my first chance to explore the field of Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) in a non-academic setting. I've realized how much GEOINT differs in practice from theory. There are specific analytical and writing skills needed that can only be learned on the job. Working here has showed me how much I enjoy GEOINT, which has vindicated my previous interest.

How will working at the IAEA enhance your career?

The IAEA is, probably, the most prominent player in the nonproliferation world. Not only have I received years of practical job experience, but I also gained access to the community of people working in this field at an international level. It's a small, tight knit community and you always see familiar names and faces.

What is your favorite thing about your current work at the IAEA?

The variety. There are hundreds of nuclear sites across the globe, and for imagery analysts in their first few years at the Agency, it's likely that each new assignment will require them to investigate a place they haven't seen before. Being able to learn about the world and its nuclear infrastructure never gets old.

What is living and working in Vienna like?

Vienna is a beautiful and historic city. It certainly beats Nashville, Tennessee, my hometown, and arguably even Washington, D.C. in that regard. Rents are relatively inexpensive, and the ubiquitous and efficient public transportation makes cars unnecessary. The weather is excellent, especially during the summer, when people flock to swim in the Danube. If I want to leave the city for a while, I'm in the heart of Europe.

How is working at the IAEA in Vienna different than working at other jobs within the United States?

The office culture is more relaxed here, but there is less separation between work and life. It's common to see spontaneous gatherings in the hallways over drinks and snacks. On-the-clock coffee meetings are the most popular form of networking. Benefits are more comprehensive than those of any job I've held before, including 6 weeks of paid vacation, rent and travel subsidies, high-quality healthcare, and various forms of insurance. Additionally, it is possible to earn additional time off by working later than the normal 8-hour day, a policy I've taken advantage of during periods of high-volume work.

What would you say to those that are hesitant to apply?

I was hesitant to apply too. My most relevant experience at the time consisted of two years as a government contractor and one working for a repo agency in east Nashville. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would ever be selected, and yet here I am. It's the opportunity of a lifetime. Go for it!