Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens

You will:

- Develop radiation exposure limits and tests to ensure that radiation levels do not exceed permissible standards;

- Participate in nationwide radiological emergencies and exercises as a member of NCRFO's Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT);

- Utilize statistical methods to validate, verify, assess and review radiological data;

- Advise stakeholders and customers on radiological protection policies, programs and guidance;

- Coordinate and oversee facility consolidation projects.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

You will spend less than 25% of your work time on contracts, grants/cooperative agreements, and/or interagency agreements.

Conditions of employment

• If you are selected, a pre-employment background check is required.
• You must submit a resume and required documents (see How to Apply section).
• You may be required to travel 1 to 5 days per month.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• Pre-employment drug testing is required and random testing thereafter.
• Position has educational/degree requirements (see Qualifications section).

This position is designated as High Risk and requires a background investigation. Unless an appropriate background investigation is already on record with the Office of Personnel Management, you must undergo a background investigation.

You will be required to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.

If you are selected, you must complete a one year probationary period.

You will be required to obtain and maintain a valid commercial driver’s license and must be able to operate a Government-owned or leased motor vehicle.

This position requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

If you are selected, you will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure form within 30 days of your first day of employment and annually thereafter.

Participation in the medical monitoring program is required.

Pre-employment physical is required and periodic physicals thereafter.

Qualifications

You need a degree or combination of education and experience as described below to qualify for this position.

Health Physicist: You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited or pre-accredited college or university in 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 a combination of education and experience which included courses in the fields included in the described course work; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education comparable to the described coursework.

As part of the application process, you are required to submit college transcripts or a list of courses as described in the Required Documents section of this announcement.  However, if you are selected, you must provide official educational transcripts before you start work with EPA.  More information on verification of education can be found here:  EPA Announcement Policies and Procedures.

In addition to the educational requirements, we are looking for at least one year of specialized experience related to this position as described below:

To qualify for the GS 12 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS 11 level defined as estimating health and/or environmental risk/impacts from radiation exposure; performing radiation screening measurements; and coordinating projects.

To qualify for the GS 13 level, you need to have at least one year of full time experience equivalent to the GS 12 level defined as interpreting radiological risks from radiation exposure; using statistical methods to assess, review, and validate radiological data; and managing projects.

Your answers to the on-line assessment will be used to evaluate your competencies in the following areas: 1) Knowledge of radioactive materials and/or radiation sources; 2) Skill in analyzing radioactive material; 3) Ability to identify and control contaminants from naturally-occurring and man-made radioactive materials; 4) Skill in performing radiological risk assessments; 5) Skill in evaluating radiological data; 6) Skill in written communication; 7) Skill in oral communication; 8) Skill in project management.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume and required documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.  Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications section.  If you meet basic qualification requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on your answers to the online assessment.  Your responses to the online assessment will be used to measure the degree to which your background matches the requirements for the position.  You are being evaluated under the category rating method which means, if you are determined to be qualified, you will be placed into the ‘Best Qualified’, ‘Well Qualified’, or ‘Qualified’ category.

We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire.  If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.  We will evaluate your qualifications and eligibility and notify you if you meet minimum qualification requirements.  If you are referred for consideration, you may be subject to additional assessments.

NOTE:  We do not require a separate statement responding to the competencies, also referred to as Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).  However, your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies.