Description

Job Title Health Physicist 1 or 2

Location Los Alamos, NM, US

Organization Name Radiation Protection Programs (RP-PROG) Health Physics Operations

Minimum Salary

Maximum Salary

This position is open for external candidates only to apply.
What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Health Physicist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Radiation Protection Program is looking for Health Physicists to join in providing radiation protection support to Support LANL's crucial nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. Opportunities exist in programs supporting Technical and Regulatory Compliance.
As part of the LANL Radiation Protection Program, you will have the chance to:

• Develop protocols, train personnel, and perform inspections and assessments as part of Radiation Protection Programs.
• Collaborate closely with program members, management, and various stakeholders to develop processes, create innovative training materials, and ensure high standards for safety and compliance.
• Provide computational assessments of the necessary engineered and administrative controls to implement safe radiological operations at the institution.

The LANL Radiation Protection Program supports a broad range of activities in support of the Laboratory's nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. The Radiation Protection Programs group has responsibilities for developing procedures, engineering evaluations, computational modeling, training personnel, inspections and assessments of radiation protection program implementation, and management of radioactive sealed sources and radiation generating devices. Health Physicists in these programs interact with program members, management, and customers to assist with implementation of the programs, provide technical expertise, develop processes and procedures, training, and programmatic assessments.

Health Physicist 1: $96,600 - $158,000
As a Health Physicist 1, you will work collaboratively with the Program to apply fundamental health physics principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to support laboratory operations while building your professional expertise. Your responsibilities will encompass the following tasks:

• Under general supervision, you will provide technical support, assistance, and guidance related to radiological safety. This includes addressing basic radiological control issues and recommending corrective actions, such as modifications to the work environment when necessary.
• Your support may involve radiation monitoring and contamination control, conducting personnel and facility radiation exposure measurements, testing radiation equipment, implementing engineered controls, performing preliminary dose and shielding calculations, and measuring radioactive materials and waste.
• You will contribute input for facility, equipment, and system design to achieve As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standards.
• Perform shielding, dose, and ALARA cost-benefit analyses utilizing radiation transport codes and other methodologies.
• Conduct basic radiation protection research and develop reports to maintain and enhance the Laboratory's radiation protection program. You may also engage in developing and applying innovative technologies to advance radiation protection practices and benefit industry where appropriate.
• Understand and adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory requirements related to radiological protection and safety. Participate in interpreting regulations to ensure Laboratory compliance, assist with implementing requirements, conduct studies, prepare reports on technical issues, develop procedures and technical basis documents, and take an active role in implementing program improvements.

Health Physicist 2: $106,400 - $176,000
In addition to the responsibilities outlined for Health Physicist 1, the Health Physicist 2 position requires the successful candidate to apply established health physics principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to address laboratory needs and further develop professional expertise, with an emphasis on the following tasks:

• Provide technical support, assistance, and guidance concerning radiological safety issues, recommend corrective actions-including environmental changes-implement engineering controls, and perform dose and shielding calculations.
• Offer technical guidance to radiation protection technicians and other staff members to ensure effective and safe operations.
• Act as a lead or technical advisor on small to medium-sized projects related to radiation protection, facilitating project success and compliance.
• Assist in ensuring that all radiological protection work, materials, processes, and final products comply with quality specifications and are completed in accordance with established requirements.
• Communicate key components of radiological safety and protection to both technical and non-technical personnel, ensuring clear understanding and adherence to safety protocols.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Entry-level knowledge of the technical principles, theories, concepts and techniques of health physics.
• Entry-level experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
• Entry-level skill to conceptualize and communicate fundamental elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Entry-level skill in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.
• Perform shielding, dose, and cost-benefit analyses using radiation transport codes and/or other methods.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; and
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which usually requires US Citizenship.
• For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses their qualifications for the position and how their expertise fulfills the key requirements.

Additional Job Requirements for Health Physicist 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires:

• Demonstrated experience with a variety of radiological controls and the surveillance of related safety measures and requirements. Working knowledge of radiological safety policies, practices, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts affecting radiological safety/protection. Working knowledge of health physics.
• Demonstrated experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
• Skill to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Skill in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.

Training/Certifications: Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., ABHP, NRRPT, and/or other relevant certifications)

Education/Experience for Health Physicist 1 : Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience for Health Physicist 2 : Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

DOE Order 426.2A: Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• American Board of Health Physics(ABHP) Certification (CHP) or progress towards an ABHP certification.
• Demonstrated experience working with applicable RP software (e.g. Monte Carlo or Deterministic Transport codes like MCNP, SCALE, FLUKA, Geant4).
• Proficiency in programing and/or Linux computing systems.
• Proficiency with CAD modeling software (e.g. AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SpaceClaim); and
• Working knowledge of Operational Health Physics, especially related to plutonium or accelerator facilities

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation) : Ability to use stairways, fixed ladders, and ladders up to 6 feet. Ability to lift 50 pounds and carry 35 pounds.

Work Environment: Must be physically able to work in demanding environments.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that addresses their qualifications for the position and how their expertise fulfills the key requirements.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details