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Health Physicist

Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
This job announcement has closed

Summary

NIST works with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life. We're looking for a Health Physicist to join our team!

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

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
06/05/2023 to 06/12/2023
Salary
$112,015 to - $172,075 per year
Pay scale & grade
ZP 4
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Gaithersburg, MD
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required to attend conferences, meetings, and training.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
4
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Announcement number
OSHE-152-23-11986187
Control number
729428500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, and National Guard).

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Duties

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  • Managing the Health Physics Program for the physical security of radioactive materials under the NIST broad scope license
  • Training technical staff on functions related to the Health Physics Program
  • Making recommendations to the Program Development and Compliance Group Leader and Radiation Safety Officer about the protection of radioactive materials
  • Performing professional work to protect personnel and environments from ionizing radiation hazards
  • Identifying and evaluating potential radiation hazards and developing procedures to eliminate, control, or minimize radiation exposure
  • Monitoring operating programs involving radiation sources to ensure compliance with safety conditions
  • Conducting research and development on methods and procedures for radioactive materials protection
  • Providing technical support within radiation protection programs
  • Using instrumentation and survey techniques for radiation survey evaluations
  • Collecting and maintaining records on radiation levels and personnel exposures
  • Participating activities such as instrument maintenance and calibration, decontamination, processing of radioactive material for waste disposal, and shipping and receiving of radioactive material
  • Conducting training on radiation safety and related procedures
  • Applying knowledge of NRC, DOT, EPA, OSHA, and locally developed regulations and procedures applicable to radioactive material

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
  • Completion of Confidential Financial Disclosure, Form OGE-450
  • 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.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, ALL APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS:

One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 (ZP-III at NIST) level.
Specialized experience is defined as:
  • Experience developing radiation safety program policies and procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements and industry standards
  • Experience in establishing processes and procedures for the protection of radioactive materials at a broad scope radioactive materials license facility
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done. We will credit all qualifying volunteer experience in your application.

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

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 prior to a final offer of employment.

Education completed outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by an accredited organization 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 a course-by-course listing) is required with your application.

Additional information

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

A probationary period may be required.

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

  • Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds
  • Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds
  • Reaching above shoulder
  • Walking two hours
  • Standing two hours
  • Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle
  • 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 on ladders or scaffolding
  • Working below ground
This position requires the filing of an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of onboarding and annually thereafter.

We may share your application package with other selecting officials at NIST with opportunities like this one. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.

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 such as:
  • Telework
  • Flexible work schedules
  • Paid parental leave
  • Paid vacation
  • Sick leave
  • Family-friendly leave
  • Child and elder-care resources
  • On-site childcare center
  • Lactation spaces
  • Wellness programs
  • Fitness center
  • Employee assistance programs

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, optional cover letter and supporting documents to assess your qualifications for this position.

All applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Under Direct Hire Authority, applicants are not rated and ranked and veteran's preference does not apply.

CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility: To be eligible for CTAP or ICTAP consideration, you must submit the required documents to establish eligibility (see required documents) and meet the minimum qualification requirements. You may be contacted to provide a response to assessment questions related to the position. To be considered CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you must receive a well-qualified score of at least 85 of out 100 on your assessment responses. Additional information may be found at: CTAP/ICTAP.

Resume Guidance
Evaluation Process

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