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HEALTH PHYSICIST

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

Summary

This position may be filled using Direct Hire Authority: Z5CAV/Direct-Hire Authority (Certain DoD Personnel) PL 118-31, Sec 125OB (i)(2), 12/22/2023.

Exemption request has been approved by PTDO USD(P&R), 07/23/2025 (Request ID 2920)

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
09/19/2025 to 09/25/2025
Salary
$142,488 to - $185,234 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Fort Belvoir, VA. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.  This position is not eligible for remote telework.
Travel Required
50% or less - Travel in the performance of temporary assignments is required up to 30% of duty time (CONUS/OCONUS).
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
14
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DTRA-25-12804890-DH
Control number
846494200

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to: All U.S. Citizens, and individuals eligible for the following Special Appointing Authorities: Military spouses

Duties

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

  • upport management and amendment, if necessary, of DTRA's Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license(s) to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations regarding the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment in support of DTRA's worldwide radiological program.
  • Support the DTRA Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) in the oversight and management of DTRA's global Radiation Safety Program.
  • Champion the Agency-wide radiation safety policy regarding all DTRA activities, operations and personnel while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations and limitations of DTRA's (NRC) License.
  • Interpret, modify, and extend, as necessary, the existing DTRA radiation safety program standards, regulations, and policies to safely and effectively accomplish DTRA missions.
  • Develop and implement health physics and radiological control policies to assure safe and healthy work environments and practices at all DTRA locations worldwide.
  • Devise and recommend new methods, programs, and policies to bring deficient areas into compliance with applicable health physics and radiation safety legislation.
  • Review and evaluate all requests for NRC licensing of radioactive source and by-product materials.
  • Perform, review, and evaluate, request for authorizations for the use of radioactive materials exempt from NRC control.
  • Administer and assure compliance with the provisions of all NRC licenses and radioactive material authorizations held by DTRA.
  • Investigate accidents involving ionizing radiation, and occurrences involving potential radiation overexposure of DTRA personnel.
  • Conduct 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.
  • Interpret radiological exposures for DTRA personnel. Maintain and automate the retrieval of occupational radiation exposure records for DTRA employees.
  • Interpret and monitor bioassays for worldwide DTRA operations.
  • Perform and review radiation shielding and dosimetry calculations as needed.
  • Oversee the transportation of DTRA radioactive materials.
  • Provide guidance on DTRA operations where existing guidelines are inadequate or do not exist.
  • Evaluate and recommend the approval or disapproval of plans, specifications, and requests for deviations for facilities, equipment, and operations involving hazardous sources of ionizing radiation.
  • Develop new or improved techniques to assure implementation of the "as low as reasonably achievable" concept, which often involves departure from established practices.
  • Establish safe methods and procedures for handling, storing, disposing, and decontaminating radioactive material.

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 http://www.sss.gov
  • 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: Fulltime
  • Overtime: 10%
  • Tour of Duty: Flexible
  • Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized based on availability of funding, and with approval from the hiring manager; https://www.dtra.mil/Careers-Opportunities/DTRA-Opportunities/
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
  • Financial Disclosure: Not Required
  • Telework Eligibility: This position is an in-person position at facilities located at Fort Belvoir, VA. This position may be eligible for limited, situational telework subject to supervisory approval and not to exceed current Agency guidelines.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.
  • Must consent to and pass pre-employment drug testing and be subject to periodic random drug testing thereafter.
  • Travel in the performance of temporary assignments is required up to 30% of duty time (CONUS/OCONUS).
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid passport.
  • Overtime/compensatory time may be required to accommodate operational needs of the organization.
  • Certification as a CHP or NRRPT is required or will be obtained within 2 years after hire as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (IOR)
Basic requirements established by the OPM Qualification Standard for the 1306 series position.
A. 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. OR
B. A combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education. OR
C. 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


You may qualify at the GS-14 grade level, if you fulfill the following qualifications:

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service:

  • Administering radioactive material programs and ionizing radiation sources licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or Agreement States.
  • Developing and administering a comprehensive radiation safety program, including training, dosimetry, handling, use, storage, compliance surveys, inventory controls, operating and emergency procedures, and shipping of special nuclear materials.
  • Leading a quality assurance program for shipping special nuclear materials in compliance with 10 CFR 71.
  • Developing new methods, programs, and policies to ensure compliance with health physics and radiation safety regulations.
  • Providing technical assistance and feedback on radiation safety policy development within and outside the organization.
  • Providing technical direction, set radiation safety program goals, define objectives and priorities, and review team outputs before management presentation.
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.

Education

Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

This position has education-based Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR)

You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at time of application.

All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

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.

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.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 supporting documents, to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified below, required for this position.

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. If you are entitled to veterans' preference and qualified for the position, your name will be placed above non-preference candidates on a list sent to the hiring manager for employment consideration. Qualified veterans' preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category depending on the position and grade level of the job.
For information on entitlement seeFeds Hire Vets - Job Seekers - Veterans.

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