Health Physicist (Ionizing Radiation Specialist)

Summary

Performs professional work to protect personnel and environments from ionizing radiation hazards by identifying and evaluating potential radiation hazards across diverse facility operations. Applies and implements procedures to eliminate, control, or minimize radiation exposure.

This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.

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Duties

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The Ionizing Radiation Specialist performs a full range of professional health physics duties in support of radiation protection programs to ensure the safe use, handling, and disposal of radioactive materials and compliance with regulatory requirements.

This position will:

- Provide technical oversight and direction for radiation protection programs, including instrumentation, waste management, and facility surveillance activities

- Evaluate complex radiological hazards and develop strategies to control or mitigate risks to personnel and the environment

- Advise leadership on radiation safety policies, program improvements, and compliance with regulatory requirements

- Lead or support projects involving radiation detection systems, program enhancements, or facility safety initiatives

- Interpret and apply regulatory requirements to ensure organizational compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations

- Mentor and provide technical guidance to staff on radiation protection practices, instrumentation, and safety procedures

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. citizenship
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Satisfactory completion of a pre-employment medical examination
• Bargaining Unit Position: No

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1. 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.

OR

1. 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.

Additional requirement for the ZP-III level:

In addition to the basic requirements, applicantsmust possess 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level (ZP-II at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience assisting with radiation protection activities in environments involving radioactive materials, including performing routine radiation surveys or contamination checks using established procedures and documenting results to support safe operations.

OR

A combination of education and experience as outlined in the additional requirements above.

Additional requirement for the ZP-IV level:

In addition to the basic requirements, applicantsmust have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level (ZP-III at NIST). Specialized experience is defined as experience performing radiation protection work in environments involving radioactive materials, including independently conducting radiation surveys or hazard evaluations and recommending actions to control or reduce radiation exposure.

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.

The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.

If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.

Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!

• We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
• Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
• You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
• All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.

• A probationary period may be required.

This position has physical requirements which include but may not be limited to:

• Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Depth perception
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)

This position has environmental factors which include, but may not be limited to:

• Outside and inside
• Slippery or uneven walking surfaces
• Working around moving objects or vehicles
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.

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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.

Benefits

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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.