Health Physicist 3/4

Position Location:

This position is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Los Alamos is a tight-knit mountain community that consistently ranks as one of Livability.com’s Best Small Towns in America. For two years in a row, Los Alamos County has ranked as the healthiest county in the nation according to a U.S. News report. The city is a top spot for outdoor enthusiasts as it has more than 120 hiking and biking trails, and residents enjoy easy access to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Thanks to the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos’ presence in the area, Los Alamos also has a college-town vibe that’s a major draw for young professionals, families and retirees.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

Position Summary

N3B Health Physicists (HPs) report directly to the Radiation Protection Director or Radiological Control Manager within the Environment, Safety, Health & Quality (ESH&Q) organization. The Health Physicist 4/5 is responsible for ensuring implementation of the N3B Radiation Protection Program (RPP) while supporting safe work execution. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities (may include, but are not limited to) Level 3:

• Proficient knowledge in developing and implementing metrics to measure the effectiveness of the RPP;
• Proficient knowledge in the review and development of corrective actions associated with radiological incidents and RP assessments (internal and external); and
• Oversee implementation of radiological safety programs;
• Investigate radiological hazards in the full range of the N3B RPP; 
• Proficient knowledge in developing, implementing, and evaluating workplace monitoring programs for effectiveness of radiological controls; 
• Participate in pre-and post-work planning activities; 
• Help ensure that RP concepts are understood by program, operations, and RP personnel and are incorporated in local procedures, policies, and training.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities (may include, but are not limited to) Level 4:

• Extensive technical support, technical assistance and guidance on radiological control problems, recommending and assuring implementation of corrective actions when necessary.
• Contribute to radiation protection program effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues that must be addresses, providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations, recommending options and courses of action, and implementing directives. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) Level 4:

• Proficient knowledge of operational Health Physics including contamination control, external radiation exposure control, airborne radioactivity monitoring, and experience responding to radiological incidents and emergencies.
• Demonstrated proficient experience and skill investigating alternative solutions and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
• Demonstrated proficient ability to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Demonstrated proficient experience in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities) Level 5:

In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Extensive knowledge of operational Health Physics including contamination control, external radiation exposure control, airborne radioactivity monitoring, and the surveillance of related safety measures and requirements.
• Extensive experience with the development and implementation of programs to meet 10 CFR 835 and 49 CFR requirements.
• Extensive skills to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Extensive skills in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.

Education and Experience Required:

Health Physicist 3: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, or related degree, and 5 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. Per DOE O 426.2, applicant must have a bachelor’s degree, 2-years of job-related experience and 1-year of nuclear experience.

Health Physicist 4: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, or related degree, and 9 years of directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. At this level, post graduate course work may be desirable. Per DOE O 426.2, applicant must have a bachelor’s degree, 2-years of job-related experience and 1-year of nuclear experience.

Benefits and Salary: 

N3B offers all full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes 401(k) with employer matching, medical, dental, vision, paid PTO, and more. Starting salary will be commensurate with experience and education. 

Business Associations: 

Level 3: Represents organization as a prime contact on contracts or projects. Interacts with senior internal and external personnel on significant matters often requiring coordination between organizations. 

Level 4: Serves as consultant to management and special external spokesperson for the organization on major matters pertaining to its policies, plans, and objectives. 

Impact: 

Level 3: Exerts some influence on the overall objectives and long-range goals of the organization. Erroneous decisions or failure to achieve objectives would normally have a serious effect upon the administration of the organization. 

Level 4: Effects of decisions are long-lasting and heavily influenced the future course of the organization. Errors in judgement or failure to achieve results would result in the expenditure of large amounts of company resources.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements: 

Normally assigned to perform work in an office environment. Only electrical hazards and other minor potential hazards normally found in an office environment are anticipated. Job performance requires adequate visual acuity and manual dexterity for meeting the requirements of the discipline. Office work environment.

Safety, Security, and Quality

While working to achieve N3B LLCC objectives, the Health Physicist 4/5 will ensure all activities and operations are performed in a safe and deliberate manner to include protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This role will maintain required safety, security and operational training; assure procedural and regulatory compliance; and make safety, security and quality an integral part of every task; including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security. 

Equal Opportunities

N3B is an equal opportunity employer. N3B will ensure no applicant for employment or employee is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs.