HEALTH PHYSICIST

Summary

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.

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Duties

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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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Occasional Travel: Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 20% of duty time per year (CONUS/OCONUS). Incumbent must comply with each Combatant Command (COCOM) travel medical requirement to include vaccinations
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Overtime: 10%
• Tour of Duty: Flexible
• Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized if funds available and with approval from hiring manager
• Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
• Financial Disclosure: Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, within 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination of employment
• Telework Eligibility: This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Kirtland AFB, NM. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.
• Must be able to acquire and retain Top Secret Clearance eligibility with Sensitive Compartmented Information access, based upon a Single Scoped Background Investigation.
• Position requires access to Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information (CNWDI)/ Restricted Data (RD)
• This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the civilian drug-testing program. The incumbent is to (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if required, submit to urinalysis testing.
• A valid driver's license is required, and must be able to obtain and maintain a current valid passport
• May be recalled to duty 24-hrs a day during other than normal duty hours to include evenings, weekends, and holidays; may be required to work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Must maintain necessary training to preserve proficiency in job related qualifications, i.e., cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) and Permit Required Confined Space
• Must be able to perform physical exertion, e.g., long periods of standing, and walking over rough, uneven terrain and rocky surfaces. May carry moderately heavy items such as field gear, computer components and similar items
• Please see "Additional Information" below for further conditions of employment

Qualifications

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 )

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Conditions of Employment, Cont:

• Position may require certification in the Nuclear Personnel Reliability Program (NPRP). IAW DoDI 5210.42, Department of Defense Nuclear Weapons Personnel Reliability Program, the incumbent is required to submit for a mental health evaluation and other health standards.
• This position may require the incumbent to be exposed to ionizing radiation. Radiation monitoring may be required IAW DoDI 6055.08 Occupational Ionizing Radiation Protection Program to ensure compliance.

RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at:

All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.

This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or FJO being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment.

You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) : In order to receive this preference, you must choose to apply using the "Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP)" eligibility. If you are claiming RGP and are determined to be Well Qualified (score of 85 or above) for the position, you will be referred to the hiring manager as a priority applicant. Information and required documentation for claiming MSP may be found at the General Applicant Information and Definitions link below. To be eligible as a RGP, you must submit the following supporting documents with your application package: a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 (whs.mil)); a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.