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HEALTH PHYSICIST

Department of Defense
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
01/31/2024 to 02/13/2024
Salary
$104,498 to - $160,533 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13 - 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Kirtland AFB, NM
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 20% of duty time per year (CONUS/OCONUS).
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
DTRA-24-12291785-DH
Control number
773875200

Duties

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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 June 23, 2023.

As a HEALTH PHYSICIST at the GS-1306-13/14 some of your typical work assignments may include:

  • Serves as Health Physicist, subject matter expert (SME) in the area of nuclear and radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment, and advisor to the Supervisory Operations Officer and to the Commandant.
  • Makes sound technical, scientific, and policy decisions governing the use and control of radiological sources. And, implements the DTRA Radiation Safety Program to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and Services' laws and regulations.
  • Administers and assures compliance with the provisions of all NRC licenses and radioactive material authorizations held by DTRA. Signs for and maintains the radiological inventory. Oversees the transportation of radioactive materials.
  • Evaluates and inspects the planning, designing, and constructing of facilities for storage or use of radioactive material or radiation producing devices. Performs technical and administrative audits to ensure compliance with federal regulations and Department of Defense host installation requirements.
  • Conducts workplace inspections, audits and evaluations on a routine and non-routine basis in accordance with regulatory guidance and recommends and implements corrective actions as required. Serves as Radiation Safety Officer for radioactive material associated with the 91B permit.
  • This position has a direct impact on the health of DTRA, DOD, DOE, DOJ, DOS, EPA, and inter-agency personnel involved in DNWS radiological training, supported exercises, and/or NWIM tours.
  • Works closely with the Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), DTRA/RD Site Radiation Safety Officer, DTRA/NE-DS leadership, and the DTRA RSO. This position has a direct impact on DTRA's NRC license, which affects the entire Agency's capability to handle radiological materials and train our DOD and inter-agency students.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply)
  • Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
  • Work Schedule: Full Time
  • Overtime: 10%; Overtime, compensatory time and/or emergency overtime may be required. May be recalled to duty 24-hrs a day during other than normal duty hours to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Tour of Duty: Other
  • Recruitment Incentives: Authorized if funds available and with authority approval
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible on a situational basis.
  • Must be able to acquire and retain Secret clearance eligibility. Position requires access to Restricted Data (RD)/Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information (CNWDI).
  • Required to don personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a current valid driver's license and passport.
  • Travel in the performance of temporary assignments may be required up to 20% of duty time per year (CONUS/OCONUS).
  • Must maintain necessary training to preserve proficiency in job related qualifications.
  • Desired certificates: National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists, Part I Certification Health Physicist (CHP) by American Board of Health Physics, and able to complete Part II within 12 months of assignment.
  • 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.
  • Incumbent is required to submit a Confidential Financial Disclosure Form, OGE 450, w/in 30 days of entering the position, annually and upon termination of employment in accordance with DoD Directive 5500.7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, August 30, 1993.

Qualifications

You may qualify at the GS-13, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service

  • Radiation safety experience under an NRC Byproduct Materials License;
  • Thorough knowledge of health physics (HP) and thorough knowledge of radiological hazards;
  • Thorough knowledge of HP principles for the protection of personnel/workplace from radiation hazards;
  • Thorough knowledge of occupational health in relation to radiation programs;
  • Thorough knowledge of Radiation Safety Officer functions/operations and radiological/nuclear accident response;
  • Ability to implement radiation protection requirements to meet NRC and state standards;
  • Professionalism, contacts, and experience within the Health Physics field, including maintaining knowledge and skills based on current research and technology related to Radiation Safety and program management practices;
  • Development of training, safe handling practices, facilities, and acquisitions of radiation sources;
  • General experience in the management of NRC licenses and liaising with installation, inter-agency, and regulatory authorities, and;
  • Interpersonal and communication skills.
  • (Experience is clearly demonstrated in my resume).
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
  • Radiation safety experience under a NRC Byproduct Materials License;
  • Masterful knowledge of health physics (HP) and extensive knowledge of radiological hazards;
  • Mastery of HP principles for the protection of personnel/workplace from hazards associated with radiation;
  • Extensive knowledge of occupational health in relation to radiation programs;
  • Extensive knowledge in Radiation Safety Officer functions/operations and radiological/nuclear accident response;
  • Ability to implement radiation protection requirements to meet NRC and state standards;
  • Knowledge of Laser Safety Officer responsibilities IAW ANSI Z136.1 and Z136.6;
  • Extensive professionalism, contacts, and experience within the Health Physics field, including maintaining knowledge and skills based on current research and technology related to Radiation Safety and program management practices;
  • Development of cutting-edge training, safe handling practices, facilities, and acquisitions of radiation sources;
  • Demonstrated expertise in the management of NRC licenses and liaising with installation, inter-agency, and regulatory authorities, and;
  • Extensive interpersonal and communication skills.
  • (Experience is clearly demonstrated in my resume).
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.

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)
OR
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)

*NOTE: Failure to provide transcripts will result in you being rated ineligible for this position.

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 may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses.

Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable.

When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. For further information, visit: Foreign Education

Additional information

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: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf

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

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Programs (
ICTAP eligibility): This program applies to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position; Well qualified is defined as possessing the type and quality of experience that exceeds the positions minimum qualifications. and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. For more information:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/

Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are claiming military spouse preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed below preference eligible veteran candidates and above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the application process is complete, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the Occupational 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. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Competencies:

  • Experience
  • Health Physicist Instruction
  • Technical Expertise


Military Spouse Preference: If you are entitled to military spouse preference, in order to receive this preference you must choose the spousal eligibility in your application package referencing MSP Military Spouse Preference. Your preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. To claim Military Spouse Preference (MSP) please complete the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist, save the document and attach it to your application package.

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.

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