It seems Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has found another role for an oft-criticized former aide.

Without much fanfare, the Nevada Democrat appointed Gregory B. Jaczko to a post on a Congressional panel overseeing the National Nuclear Security Administration. The announcement appeared in the April 17  edition of the Congressional Record. Reid got to tap Jaczko for the post all on his own, which is probably a good thing. Few figures have drawn as much Republican criticism as the former Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman.

Other members of the NRC said Jaczko was a belligerent manager and something of a bully. He ultimately tendered his resignation, contingent on confirmation of a successor. That person, Allison Macfarlane, shares Jaczko and Reid’s opposition to storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nev. She won confirmation last year.

“Greg Jaczko is an experienced leader on science and nuclear security issues and his expertise will be invaluable to the Commission’s work,” Reid said. “As Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Jaczko helped push for increased safety and security measures to protect our nation’s nuclear plants and provided leadership during the Fukushima nuclear crisis.”

It’s no surprise that Reid would back Jackzo for a new job. He previously used every tool in the box, including a blanket hold on President George W. Bush’s nominees, to get Jaczko on the NRC in the first place.