Environmental Protection Specialist III

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Requirements

• Experience writing reports and organizing, preparing, and presenting information in written and verbal format.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations and relevant safety practices and techniques.
• Knowledge of basic science and math, such as physics, biology, chemistry, calculus, and statistics.
• Knowledge of English language sufficient to compose correspondence and write comprehensive reports.
• Knowledge of the control of radiation, radiological health, laws, safety procedures and regulations.
• Knowledge of the function, design, and operation of equipment used in radiation detection, measurement, or environmental monitoring.
• Skills in the use of computers.
• Skills in the use of radiation detection, monitoring, and measuring instruments.
• Skills in the collection of soil, water, air, and other environmental samples for laboratory processing to determine radioactive and other hazardous material content.
• Skills in the use of thermoluminescent dosimeter processing equipment.
• Skills in the use of multi-channel analyzer or similar spectrum analyzing equipment.
• Skills in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and co-workers.
• Ability to apply scientific principles and to detect and evaluate environmental and public health hazards.
• Ability to establish priorities in workloads and meet deadlines.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate on radiological issues with both technical and volunteer personnel.
• Ability to analyze existing and proposed federal and state regulations.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced (senior-level) environmental work in the Environmental Monitoring Branch.
• Exchange and process Optically Stimulated Luminescent dosimeters (OSL's) and obtain radiation measurements at monitored sites throughout the state.
• Perform database programming to facilitate issuance of quarterly and annual environmental reports.
• Collect and process environmental samples (soil, air, water, etc.) at monitored sites throughout the state.
• Prepare and submit reports following monitoring activities to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
• Assist in and coordinate the preparation of the annual environmental report for publication.
• Prepare reports of monitoring results for submission to monitored facilities.
• Perform periodic calibration of Radiation Inspection Branch survey instruments.
• Provide training to field radiation control inspectors in proper acquisition of samples and processing of same through the DSHS Laboratory.
• Maintain proficiency in duties and skills by participating in training programs designed to enhance aptitude, comprehension, and education.
• Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.
• Performs advanced environmental surveillance duties.
• Conducts field surveys and assessments to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
• Consults and coordinates with department personnel on environmental issues.
• Plans and develops the activities of routine schedules of environmental surveillance and monitoring to ensure routine schedules are met.
• Places and recovers OSL's at designated locations on scheduled frequencies, processes OSL's, surveys, reviews results, and prepares required notices, reports, and documentation.
• Obtains air, water, soil, and other environmental samples on scheduled frequencies (20%)
• Prepares samples for DSHS Laboratory processing.
• Controls environmental sample processing by reviewing samples brought into the Radiation Inspection Branch office, assuring records and sample packaging are correct and transfers sample(s) to DSHS Laboratory.
• Segregates and disposes of radiological laboratory samples according to established procedures. (20%)
• Plans and supervises calibration and processing of radiation measuring equipment and systems.
• Plans, develops, and/or supervises the creation of guidance documents related to environmental OSL's.
• Evaluates statistical and environmental radiation data; interprets the results; and prepares technical reports of findings.
• Performs instrument calibrations procedures for instruments of Radiation Inspection Branch and field radiation control staff.
• Prepares and reviews technical reports, papers, articles, and provides recommendations regarding findings.
• Reviews laboratory analysis reports and prepares required notices, reports, and related environmental documentation.
• Prepares OSL quarterly reports of gamma radiation results for facilities under surveillance.
• Evaluates radiological sampling data or calculates radiation doses from external exposure to radiation to determine radiation dose.
• Performs preparation of annual environmental reports.
• Prepares papers and presentations relating to environmental work.
• Plans, develops, establishes, or modifies environmental programs for radiological health.
• Maintains current programs files and updates various software (databases, maps, etc.) of monitoring stations for each site.
• Coordinates, plans, and conducts radiological health activities for the Department under contractual arrangements with state or federal agencies or with other organizations.
• Provides technical assistance and advice to plant management, the public, and/or other interested groups in the application of appropriate state and federal laws and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment or location.
• Performs Emergency Response functions during exercise and actual emergency conditions.
• Maintains personal and assigned equipment ready for emergency response/deployment.
• Participates as a lead worker or member of the Department's and Radiation Emergency Response Team during exercise and actual emergency responses.
• Coordinates training through the radiation control program's training coordinator, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and approved training courses to maintain required proficiency for assigned emergency response duties.

Benefits

• insurance coverage
• other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED