Health Physicist 1 or 2
Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) seeks Health Physicists to support the Radiation Protection Program in Los Alamos, NM. Roles include Health Physicist 1 or 2, with responsibilities spanning radiological safety, inspections, modeling, and training.
The team emphasizes safety, compliance, and technical excellence across nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. Health Physicist 1 offers foundational duties with growth toward complexity; Health Physicist 2 expands to
Qualifications
- Entry-level understanding of health physics principles and techniques.
- Experience in radiological safety or related research preferred.
- Ability to communicate radiological concepts to diverse audiences.
Responsibilities
- Provide radiological safety support under supervision.
- Assist in monitoring, measurements, and shielding calculations.
- Contribute to ALARA analyses and safety program improvements.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
This position will be filled at either the Health Physicist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Radiation Protection Program is looking for Health Physicists to join in providing radiation protection support to Support LANL's crucial nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. Opportunities exist in programs supporting Technical and Regulatory Compliance.
As part of the LANL Radiation Protection Program, you will have the chance to:
- Develop protocols, train personnel, and perform inspections and assessments as part of Radiation Protection Programs.
- Collaborate closely with program members, management, and various stakeholders to develop processes, create innovative training materials, and ensure high standards for safety and compliance.
- Provide computational assessments of the necessary engineered and administrative controls to implement safe radiological operations at the institution.
The LANL Radiation Protection Program supports a broad range of activities in support of the Laboratory's nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. The Radiation Protection Programs group has responsibilities for developing procedures, engineering evaluations, computational modeling, training personnel, inspections and assessments of radiation protection program implementation, and management of radioactive sealed sources and radiation generating devices. Health Physicists in these programs interact with program members, management, and customers to assist with implementation of the programs, provide technical expertise, develop processes and procedures, training, and programmatic assessments.
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact at one of the nation's leading research institutions? The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Radiation Protection Program is seeking motivated Health Physicists to help protect the Laboratory's critical nuclear security, environmental monitoring, and research missions. This is your opportunity to join a team that values technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration in programs supporting Technical and Regulatory Compliance.
As a Health Physicist 1, you will work collaboratively with the Program to apply fundamental health physics principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to support laboratory operations while building your professional expertise. Your responsibilities will encompass the following tasks:
- Under general supervision, you will provide technical support, assistance, and guidance related to radiological safety. This includes addressing basic radiological control issues and recommending corrective actions, such as modifications to the work environment when necessary.
- Your support may involve radiation monitoring and contamination control, conducting personnel and facility radiation exposure measurements, testing radiation equipment, implementing engineered controls, performing preliminary dose and shielding calculations, and measuring radioactive materials and waste.
- You will contribute input for facility, equipment, and system design to achieve As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standards.
- Perform shielding, dose, and ALARA cost-benefit analyses utilizing radiation transport codes and other methodologies.
- Conduct basic radiation protection research and develop reports to maintain and enhance the Laboratory's radiation protection program. You may also engage in developing and applying innovative technologies to advance radiation protection practices and benefit industry where appropriate.
- Understand and adhere to all Laboratory and industry regulatory requirements related to radiological protection and safety. Participate in interpreting regulations to ensure Laboratory compliance, assist with implementing requirements, conduct studies, prepare reports on technical issues, develop procedures and technical basis documents, and take an active role in implementing program improvements.
In addition to the responsibilities outlined for Health Physicist 1, the Health Physicist 2 position requires the successful candidate to apply established health physics principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to address laboratory needs and further develop professional expertise, with an emphasis on the following tasks:
- Provide technical support, assistance, and guidance concerning radiological safety issues, recommend corrective actions-including environmental changes-implement engineering controls, and perform dose and shielding calculations.
- Offer technical guidance to radiation protection technicians and other staff members to ensure effective and safe operations.
- Act as a lead or technical advisor on small to medium-sized projects related to radiation protection, facilitating project success and compliance.
- Assist in ensuring that all radiological protection work, materials, processes, and final products comply with quality specifications and are completed in accordance with established requirements.
- Communicate key components of radiological safety and protection to both technical and non-technical personnel, ensuring clear understanding and adherence to safety protocols.
- Entry-level knowledge of the technical principles, theories, concepts and techniques of health physics.
- Entry-level experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
- Entry-level skill to conceptualize and communicate fundamental elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
- Entry-level skill in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.
- Perform shielding, dose, and cost-benefit analyses using radiation transport codes and/or other methods.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; and
- Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which usually requires US Citizenship.
- Demonstrated experience with a variety of radiological controls and the surveillance of related safety measures and requirements. Working knowledge of radiological safety policies, practices, and procedures.
- Working knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts affecting radiological safety/protection. Working knowledge of health physics.
- Demonstrated experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
- Skill to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiological safety/protection to both technical and non-technical personnel.
- Skill in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.
Relevant professional certifications preferred (e.g., ABHP, NRRPT, and/or other relevant certifications)
Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, and 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree
- Advanced degree in a relevant field.
- American Board of Health Physics(ABHP) Certification (CHP) or progress towards an ABHP certification.
- Demonstrated experience working with applicable RP software (e.g. Monte Carlo or Deterministic Transport codes like MCNP, SCALE, FLUKA, Geant4).
- Proficiency in programing and/or Linux computing systems.
- Proficiency with CAD modeling software (e.g. AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, SpaceClaim); and
- Working knowledge of Operational Health Physics, especially related to plutonium or accelerator facilities
(can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Ability to use stairways, fixed ladders, and ladders up to 6 feet. Ability to lift 50 pounds and carry 35 pounds.
Must be physically able to work in demanding environments.
The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505) 664-6947, opt. 3.
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