Direct Hire Public Notice - Health Physicist

Nuclear Regulatory Commission • Rockville, MD

2d

About The Position

This position is in various organizations within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and is being recruited under Direct-Hire Authority for the 1306 Health Physics occupational series. The successful candidate performs the full range of Health Physicist duties, including radiation protection activities connected to NRC licensing and regulation of facilities and materials involved in nuclear-material processing, transport, and handling. Work areas include uranium recovery, decommissioning, and fuel used in commercial nuclear reactors.

The position contributes to regulatory frameworks and guidance, and leads or coordinates NRC review of national and international standards protecting workers, the public, and the environment from hazards associated with source, byproduct, and special nuclear material. It analyzes complex radiation hazards and risks, develops recommendations for standards covering facility and equipment design, testing, operation, and decommissioning, and investigates potential generic health-physics problems involving regulated radioactive materials.

The Health Physicist also translates technical information needs into assistance projects managed through contracts with outside organizations, including defining work, evaluating proposals, and monitoring contractor performance, milestones, spending, and results. The role involves interaction with interested groups and presentations to NRC review committees, working groups, advisory committees, and budget review groups.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, compliance with security and suitability requirements, and pre-appointment drug testing. The employee may be subject to financial disclosure and security ownership reporting requirements and must serve a one- or two-year trial period. Situational telework may be available under agency policy. Applicants must meet the qualifications within 30 calendar days after the notice closes and before placement. A career with the NRC includes a federal benefits package, subject to eligibility.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• At least one year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
• Specialized experience applying principles of nuclear safety, radiation protection, and NRC regulations and guidance related to the medical use of byproduct material.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of health physics/radiological protection principles, theories, and practices relevant to NRC rules, policies, procedures, and safety standards for byproduct-material regulation, including using available information and risk insights to support decisions.
• Demonstrated broad knowledge of NRC goals, mission, regulations, policies, and procedures related to licensing, inspection, and implementation of regulatory programs for medical use of byproduct material, such as 10 CFR Part 35 or related Agreement State medical regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to independently evaluate and review programs, issues, or problems in ways that document program performance, set precedent, or establish policy.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, lead, and manage large projects and assessments involving licensing actions, rulemaking packages, regulatory guidance, Commission policy, or technical reports.
• Substantial experience and skill in written and oral communication about complex technical, policy, and process matters for diverse audiences, including engaging differing viewpoints and developing issue resolutions.
• Meet security and suitability requirements and complete required background checks.
• Submit college and/or university transcripts with the application. Education must be from an accredited or pre-accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires evidence of equivalency and an English translation where applicable.
• Meet the basic education requirement through either a natural science or engineering degree including at least 30 semester hours in specified science, mathematics, engineering, or health-physics subjects; a combination of specified coursework and appropriate experience or other education; or American Board of Health Physics certification plus appropriate experience and other education.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to demonstrate the listed ideal-candidate qualifications in the resume; applicants may also provide related information in the supplemental vacancy question.

Responsibilities

• Lead radiation-protection activities related to licensing and regulating facilities and materials used in processing, transporting, and handling nuclear materials, including uranium recovery, decommissioning, and commercial reactor fuel.
• Identify resources and develop supporting documentation for regulatory frameworks and related guidance.
• Lead development of and coordinate NRC review of national and international standards for protecting workers, the public, and the environment from hazards associated with source, byproduct, and special nuclear material.
• Analyze complex radiation hazards and risks from products and devices incorporating radioactive material and from their disposal.
• Develop recommendations for standards governing the design, testing, operation, and decommissioning of facilities and equipment using byproduct, source, and special nuclear material.
• Initiate investigations and lead development of solutions to potential generic health-physics problems related to use and transportation of regulated radioactive materials.
• Translate information needs related to manufacture, transport, use, decommissioning, and disposal of regulated nuclear materials into technical assistance projects.
• Manage contracts with outside organizations, including defining required work, evaluating proposals, and monitoring contractor efforts, milestones, spending, and results.
• Interact with groups having interests and responsibilities in programmatic areas.
• Present to internal NRC review committees, working groups, advisory committees, and budget review groups.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and life insurance plans.
• Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care.
• Dental and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings and investment plan through the Thrift Savings Plan, similar to a 401(k).
• Annual (vacation) and paid sick leave.
• Family-friendly leave policies.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Transit benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time