Environmental Radiochemist

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 48,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Paid vacation and sick time

Parental leave up to 12 weeks

10 paid holidays per year

Wellness program

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Defined retirement plan

Infant at Work program

Transit subsidy

Student loan assistance

Job summary

DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES seeks an Environmental Radiochemist to perform radiochemical analysis of environmental samples and conduct inspections of radiation facilities. Responsibilities include sample collection, dosimetry handling, and QA activities.

Preference will be given to candidates with a health physics degree and experience in radiation safety. This role requires driving statewide to respond to incidents and support surveillance programs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of radiation safety principles and environmental protection.
• Experience with radiochemical analysis for gamma and beta emitters.
• Familiarity with thermoluminescent dosimetry and dosimetry instruments.
• Clear written and oral communication for reporting results and revisions.

Responsibilities

• Collect soil, air, water, and milk samples near Palo Verde.
• Perform radiochemical analysis for gamma/beta radionuclides.
• Prepare environmental dosimeters for analysis and review results.
• Inspect and investigate radiation safety practices and facilities.
• Respond to incidents involving radioactive material statewide.
• Prepare analyses using wet chemistry techniques.

Skills

Radiation safety

Radiochemistry methods

Gamma spectrometry

Liquid scintillation

Dosimetry

Quality assurance

Reporting & writing

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor degree in health physics or related

Job description

DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

The Arizona Department of Health Services promotes and protects the health of Arizona’s children and adults. Our mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities in Arizona. We strive to set the standard for personal and community health through direct care, science, public policy, and leadership. ADHS promotes alternative work schedules, flexible hours. We have positions that can fit any stage in your career, from entry to senior level. We offer a robust benefit package, including the ADHS Student Loan Assistance Program, where eligible employees can receive up to $300 per month for their outstanding student loans. Come check us out and see how you can make a difference in the lives of all Arizonans.

Environmental Radiochemist

Address: 4814 S 40th St

Phoenix, AZ 85040

Salary: 56,335

• Grade: 20

Job Summary:

The Environmental Radiochemist position performs radiochemical analysis of environmental air, direct radiation, soil, water, and milk along with conducting inspections of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation facilities.

Job Duties:

• Collecting soil, air, water, milk, and direct radiation samples from the environments surrounding the Palo Verde Generating Station, and supporting the development and implementation of a statewide environmental radiation surveillance program.
• Performing radiochemical analysis of environmental and other samples for gamma and beta emitting radionuclides using various techniques.
• Preparing, placing, retrieving and analyzing environmental thermoluminescent dosimeters.
• Evaluating and interpreting measurement results.
• Performing peer review of radiochemistry analysis results and other quality assurance activities associated with radiochemical analysis.
• Performing preparation of samples for analysis utilizing wet chemistry techniques.
• Planning and conducting inspections and investigations of registrant activities that relate to radiation safety and the use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
• Evaluate and interpret measurement results.
• Respond to incidents involving radioactive material throughout the state.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of principles, theories, and practices related to radiation safety and environmental protection aspects of research, medical, educational, and industrial use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
• Knowledge of the principles and application of liquid scintillation counting, gamma spectrometry, gas flow proportional counting, and thermoluminescent dosimetry
• Knowledge of the laboratory radioactive materials license, laboratory and radiation safety requirements, analytical procedures, and sampling procedures
• Clear communication, both orally and in writing, for the reporting of the results of analyses and preparation of procedure revisions and other programmatic documentation
• The ability to use computers and other information technology to perform a variety of technical, analytical, and written communication tasks effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated understanding of quality assurance and quality control requirements of laboratory analysis
• Demonstrated ability to recognize and distinguish issues of safety or regulatory significance
• Demonstrated ability to assess the programmatic quality of laboratory sampling, analysis, procedures and documentation; and recommend, implement and document corrective actions
• Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Selective Preference(s):

Preference will be given to candidates with a baccalaureate degree in health physics, physics, chemistry, or other closely related physical science or engineering discipline, supplemented by a number of years of specialized work experience related to radiological safety and health physics

Pre-Employment Requirements:

This position requires possession of, and ability to retain, a current, valid state-issued driver’s license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (See Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

• Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Wellness program and plans
• Life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• Defined retirement plan
• Award winning Infant at Work program
• Credit union membership
• Transit subsidy
• ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Retirement

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by emailing [e-mail]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.