HEALTH PHYSICIST
What you'd do
This position is being filled under the memorandum from the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) "Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense," dated August 12,2024. This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
Major duties
As a HEALTH PHYSICIST at the GS-1306-14 some of your typical work assignments may include: Serves as Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Health Physics (HP) by providing HP information and advice, and ensuring the protection of personnel from unwarranted exposure to ionizing radiation. Coordinates HP activities for the department to include: maintaining the department radiological occupational health program; establishing procedures to identify personnel requiring pre-placement, periodic, and termination medical examinations; and participating in formulating occupational health examination requirements for workers at risk for hazardous exposures. Recommends new or revised instructions, manuals, and technical documents required to support/document the HP Program. Maintains professional currency by reading technical literature and attending professional meetings. Serves as the RD-TS Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Manages the department Radiation Safety Program to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and host installation laws and regulations. Provides oversight of radiation safety at all RD-TS fixed and mobile test sites. Develops the Health and Safety Plan for RD-TS tests utilizing radiological or nuclear material. Conducts and documents dose rate measurements of radioactive material use and storage areas; performs a physical inventory of radioactive sources; and performs leak tests on all required sources based on DTRA NRC license requirements. Makes recommendations to senior leadership, in normal operations, on how to accomplish the mission with the least amount of human radiation dose and the minimum financial impact on the organization. Submits requests for the purchase/acquisition of radioactive material to the DTRA RSO; coordinates the purchase/acquisition, shipment, and transfer of radioactive material; and ensures adherence to prescribed safety standards by inspecting all procedures used to handle, ship, store, or dispose of nuclear components. Provides local oversight for the Agency's broad scope radiologic license. Performs technical and administrative audits to ensure compliance with Federal regulations and Air Force host installation requirements. Responds to radiologic inventory Intrusion Detection System (IDS) alarms. Conducts periodic leak sampling; maintains the sampling equipment; and maintains documentation as required by the license and the DTRA RSO. Trains and documents local users of radioactive material in accordance with DTRA broad scope radioactive license and industry standard radioactive safety procedures. Oversees and ensures compliance with all requirements to process, ship, receive Class 7 Radioactive Material. Radiation Dosimetry program manager to include reviewing and maintaining all radiation dosimetry records. Institutes procedures to ensure radiation exposures ALARA for any radioactive material use. Serves as a Test Team Safety Officer for testing on KAFB and at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) involving radiation sources. Coordinates test requirements and plans with other test team members. Ensures all safety regulatory requirements are met by reviewing documents for approval and providing oversight of test performers. Recommends radiological controls and requirements for each specific research and test event. Reviews potential test programs and recommends whether DTRA can conduct the test event, and what limitations exist or are required. Serves as Laser Safety Officer for testing and ensures all laser safety protocols are met. Coordinates test requirements and plans with other test team members. Recommend laser controls and requirements for each specific research and test event. Reviews potential test programs and recommends whether DTRA can conduct the test event, and identifies limitations, if applicable.
What you need to qualify
You may qualify at the GS-14, if you fulfill the following qualifications: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service as listed below: Administer broad scope Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licenses, which includes overseeing the acquisition, secure storage, leak testing, transportation, and disposal of radioactive materials; Formulate agency-wide health and safety plans, developing standard operating procedures, and creating comprehensive radiation safety training programs for a diverse technical workforce; Direct comprehensive Radiation Safety Programs (RSP) and Quality Assurance Programs (QAP) across multiple geographically dispersed sites to ensure strict adherence to NRC, Department of Transportation (DoT), and Department of War (DoW) regulations; Serve as a primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing strategic counsel, policy recommendations, and technical solutions to senior leadership regarding complex nuclear, radioactive, and laser safety issues, and; Act as Test Team and Laser Safety Officer with the definitive authority to oversee safety protocols, investigate radiological mishaps, direct emergency responses, and halt operations to protect personnel and the public Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting qualifications, your application package must reflect the applicable experience to meet the Individual Occupational Requirements for the 1306, series as listed below: A. Degree: natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus. (Must provide transcripts; unofficial are permitted) B. Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A. (Must provide transcripts and experience clearly demonstrated in resume)
Before you apply
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