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GS
Geological Survey
Health Physicist
Career Insights for Physicist
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Based on Colorado data
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What they do
A Physicist studies the physical properties of the natural world and fundamental principles governing space, time, energy and matter. Conducts scientific research and test theories. Works in specialized areas ranging from the study of atomic and sub-atomic particles to the study of the universe.
$135,658 / year median in Colorado
+8% projected growth
Job Description
Summary The government-wide direct hire authority for STEM Physical Sciences 1306 Series is being used to fill this position. There is only one vacancy that may be filled at the following locations: Lakewood, CO or Reston, VA. The location will be determined when a selection is made.
Salary:
Lakewood, CO:
$118,675 (Step 01) to $154,280 (Step 10)Reston, VA:
$121,785 (Step 01) to $158,322 (Step 10)NOTE:
First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01. Learn more about this agency Duties Help You will serve as a Health Physicist with the Office of Management Services, Occupational Health and Safety Branch. This position serves as the Bureau Health Physicist and executes the Radiation Safety Program. Some of your specific duties will include: Applies expert knowledge, experience, and skill in the position of USGS Health Physicist and USGS Radiation Safety Officer. Leads, develops, and implements the USGS Bureau Radiation Safety Program which includes but is not limited to all radioactive materials, licenses, and ionizing radiation producing equipment. Serves as the Executive Secretary for the Radiation Safety Committee and schedules meetings, provides information to the Committee, assists in the Committee's function, and is the liaison between scientists and the Committee. Conducts, reviews, and offers guidance and procedures for radiological exposure assessments; audits, inspections, assistance visits, and program evaluations; and analyzing a variety of doses and types of radiological hazards. Implement the requirements of the broad scope license, special nuclear material, and generally licensed materials and devices.Physical Demands:
Work is performed in an office environment, a radiation analytical lab, field installations, and during visits to science centers, other research labs, offices, and field installations. Some of the work requires strenuous physical exertion, such as climbing ladders and carrying heavy equipment, and moving lead shielding. Travel to science centers, offices and field installations is required and involves a considerable amount of walking, climbing, and other forms of physical exertion associated with program evaluation activities.Work Environment:
Work is performed in an office setting, a radiation analytical lab, field installations, and during visits to science centers, other research labs, offices, and field installations, and during visits to science centers, other research labs, offices and field installations. Work may require strenuous activity and will have exposure to various types of safety and health hazards such as, but not limited to, ionizing radiation, high voltage, and chemical hazards. Use of respirators, earmuffs, safety glasses, gloves, full-body Tyvek suits, and other forms of personal protective gear may occur on a frequent basis. Conditions of Employment for thisPosition:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Key Requirements:
Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation. Selectee may be subject to serving a one-year probationary period. Selectee must provide a valid state driver's license & safe driving record. Selectee subject to successful completion of a pre-employment medical exam. More requirements are listed under Qualifications and Other Information. Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position? Taking and passing a pre-employment medical examination at Federal expense is required due to the physical demands of this job. You will be required to operate a government-owned or- leased vehicle in the performance of your official duties.
Qualifications Basic Education Requirement:
Applicants must meet A or B below to satisfy the basic education requirement for Health Physicist, all grade levels. A. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in 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.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
is defined as: experience that demonstrates experience in the technical aspects of radiation safety programs and policies and inspections that require work with radiological safety technology, including radiation physics and dosimetry, with particular emphasis on the use of ionizing radiation in science and industry. Candidates should also have recent experience associated with a regulatory program focused on safety. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement. Education 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 completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-feder... Additional informationOther Information:
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies in the advertised office or other U.S. Geological Survey offices in the local commuting area. Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position. Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position. USGS employees are subject to Title 43, USC Section 31(a) and may not: (a) have any personal, private, direct or indirect interest in lands or mineral wealth of lands under survey; (b) have any substantial personal, private, direct or indirect interests in any private mining or mineral enterprise doing business with the United States; or (c) execute surveys or examinations for private parties or corporations. The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361. DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . As part of the application process, a series of four short essay questions will be included. Applicants must certify that their own words were used to answer the questions. Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Bureaus/Offices within the Department of the Interior (DOI) who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.Agency Benefits:
USGS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework in accordance with the DOI Telework policy and with supervisor approval. The official worksite for the selectee is the duty station identified in this vacancy announcement. The selectee will typically report to this duty location on a regular and recurring weekly basis. For additional information on our internal telework policy, please reference the Department of the Interior Telework Handbook at: https://www.doi.gov/telework/policies . Working for the U.S. Geological Survey offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Expand Hide additional information 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. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.Benefits
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Sick Leave
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance