Operational Health Physicist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has an opening for an Operational Health Physicist to join the Environment, Waste, and Radiation Protection Department in the Environment, Health, & Safety Division. This position will provide technical subject matter expertise to resolve issues related to all aspects of operational health physics at LBNL. This includes supporting World Class scientific facilities such as the Advanced Light Source synchrotron, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator Facility (BELLA), the Molecular Foundry, the National Center for Electron Microscopy, the Glenn T Seaborg Center and many other facilities of note using radioactive materials or radiation generating devices.  The Operational Health Physicist will also have the opportunity to support significant projects such as the Advanced Light Source Upgrade Project, the search for Element 120, the upgrade to the 88-Inch Cyclotron ion source and continued novel accelerator research and development at the BELLA.

 

What You Will Do:

• Provide guidance, direction and recommendations to scientific research and operations personnel regarding effective and compliant implementation of radiation protection policies, programs, procedures, permits, work control documents and regulatory requirements.
• Analyze, interpret and recommend radiological safety engineering and ALARA concepts required to maintain a safe workplace for employees performing radiological work.
• Perform radiological hazard reviews, ALARA reviews and evaluate work plans to develop safety controls to establish safe work environments. Support the identification of design requirements and oversee the design of radiation shielding.
• Respond to on-site radiological emergencies in a field and technical subject matter expert role to support on-site operational personnel. Investigate and report radiological incidents and recommend solutions.
• Perform observations of experiments and work activities to ensure safe work practices and compliance with radiation protection policies, programs, procedures, permits, work control documents and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain technical program documentation, software and hardware in subject areas assigned ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Participate in technical review committees as necessary to support the safe design, startup and routine operation of LBNL accelerator facilities. Participate in accelerator facility safety basis and configuration control design, support the oversight and implementation of necessary controls to ensure personnel safety and supporting line management in the implementation of change management.
• Compile and submit regulatory reports, requests for information and other regulatory information as assigned.
• Review and update assigned procedures, policies and other documentation to ensure RPG programs reflect current regulations, relevant guidance documents, and safe work practices.
• Review and analyze results of radiation protection surveys or inspections to ensure quality, procedural compliance, and best practices.
• Independently perform audits and assessments of assigned areas and programs, identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain close relationships with Laboratory personnel, anticipating their needs and supporting planning and implementing their objectives by furnishing radiation protection input.

 

 In Addition, at the Level 4:

• Act as lead on medium to large projects, and may serve as work lead for others on technical program matters.
• Independently provide technical oversight of less experienced staff.

 

In Addition, at the Level 5:

• Act as lead on medium to very large projects, and serve as in a technical leadership role to other professionals on assigned technical program matters.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and make sound recommendations to upper Laboratory and EHS Division Management on issues having the potential for impact beyond assigned technical programs.
• Independently provide technical oversight of less experienced staff, acting as an advisor to assist them meet schedules and/or resolve technical problems.

 

What is Required at the Level 3:

• B.S. in Physics, Radiological Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 5-7 years of experience; or M.S. and 3-5 years of experience; or PhD. and 1-3 years of experience or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Broad knowledge of Federal, state and local regulatory requirements for management of radioactive materials, radiation generating devices, accelerators and transportation of radioactive materials. 
• Ability to solve a wide variety of difficult scope problems in assigned areas of responsibility, exercising judgment to provide solutions within established procedures and practices to obtain optimum solutions.
• Ability to work under very general direction and apply knowledge of existing policies and procedures to analyze complex data and determine optimum actions. 
• Ability to anticipate programmatic needs and lead planning and implementing improvements and responses to regulatory changes in collaboration with other RPG personnel.

• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to successfully deliver customer service based technical support. Demonstrated computer literacy.

• Ability to effectively communicate with people at all levels of the organization.

 

Additional Requirements at the Level 4:

• B.S. in Physics, Radiological Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 7-10 years of experience; or M.S. and 5-7 years of experience; or PhD. and 3-5 years of experience or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Broad knowledge of Federal, state and local regulatory requirements for management of radioactive materials, radiation generating devices, accelerators and transportation of radioactive materials.
• Broad knowledge of operational health physics principles and practices as applied to research establishments or other complex facilities.
• Ability to identify and solve difficult technical or regulatory problems in assigned areas of responsibility, making decisions using judgment to implement optimum solutions.
• Ability to understand programmatic needs and assist in planning and implementing improvements and responses to regulatory changes in collaboration with other RPG personnel.
• Ability to work under very general direction.
• Effective written and oral communication skills and ability to interact and work effectively with technicians and professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability in giving oral presentations or briefings to interdisciplinary audiences.

 

Additional Requirements at the Level 5:

• B.S. in Physics, Radiological Engineering, Engineering, or related field and 15 years of experience; or M.S. and 10 years of experience; or PhD. and 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Expert knowledge of Federal, state and local regulatory requirements for management of radioactive materials, radiation generating devices, accelerators and transportation of radioactive materials. 
• Recognized advanced practitioner with exceptional technical competence of radiation protection principles and practices as applied to research establishments or other complex facilities.
• Operational experience of alpha-emitting radionuclide handling facilities, high hazard DOE facilities, or multi-purpose accelerator facilities
• Ability to identify and solve challenging and complex technical or regulatory problems in assigned areas of responsibility, making frequent decisions using solely independent discretion and judgment to implement original and creative technical solutions.
• Ability to anticipate programmatic needs and assist in planning and implementing improvements and responses to regulatory changes in collaboration with other RPG personnel.
• Ability to work independently solely under consultative direction.
• Highly effective written and oral communication skills and ability to interact and work effectively with technicians and professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability in giving oral presentations or briefings to interdisciplinary audiences, including upper Laboratory management and senior EHS Managers.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Operational experience of alpha-emitting radionuclide handling facilities, DOE facilities, or accelerator facilities.
• Experience with radiation detection and measurement equipment and techniques.
• Professional certification, as applicable.
• Experience with external and/or internal dosimetry programs.
• Experience with Microshield, Varskin, MCNP, FLUKA or other relevant modeling codes.

 

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• The Health Physicist Level 3 is expected to pay $128,520.00-$152,000.00 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $114,252.00-$192,804.00 for the H10.3- Radiation Protection Spec 3 position. Salary for this position will commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, while also aligned with the internal peer group.
• The Health Physicist Level 4 is expected to pay $151,320.00-$175,000.00 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $134,496.00-$226,944.00 for the H10.4- Radiation Protection Spec 4 position. Salary for this position will commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, while also aligned with the internal peer group.
• The Health Physicist Level 5 is expected to pay $189,260.00.00-$198,000.00 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $177,108.00-$298,860.00 for the H10.5- Radiation Protection Spec 5 position. Salary for this position will commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, while also aligned with the internal peer group.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• This position will be required to work across LBNL site, inside and outside buildings and at off-site locations, including in the field. Access to construction and demolition sites is required. Exposure to hazardous materials and hazardous energy sources is likely. Exposure to sources of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials is likely. Security vetting for access to nuclear materials is required. Access to permitted hazardous waste storage facilities is required. This position fulfills an Radiation Protection Group role requiring emergency on-call duties.
• Berkeley Lab is the home of the Advanced Light Source synchrotron, the 88-Inch Cyclotron, the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator Facility, the Molecular Foundry, the National Center for Electron Microscopy, the Glenn T Seaborg Center and many other facilities of note using radioactive materials or radiation generating devices.
• Work will primarily be performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links: Know your rights, click here for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.