Health Physics Field Coordinator (HP Field Coordinator 3/4)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 117,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Health Physics Field Coordinator to lead radiological protection activities, coordinate RCT teams, and ensure safety across routine and high-hazard work. The role emphasizes policy development, data reporting, and adherence to regulatory guidance within a culture of safety.

Two levels are described: HPFC 3 and HPFC 4, with leadership responsibilities and advanced technical expertise in radiological controls, documentation, and program implementation.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of radiation protection principles and practices at DOE facilities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills for complex issues.
• Ability to communicate radiological control procedures to technical and non-technical personnel.

Responsibilities

• Lead radiological control teams and coordinate safety operations.
• Plan and review radiological work and ensure compliance with 10 CFR 835.
• Develop policies and procedures for radiological safety and ALARA reviews.

Skills

Radiation protection

Emergency response

RP programs

Data reporting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, or related field

Job description

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Health Physics Field Coordinator 3/ Health Physics Field Coordinator 4 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.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact and be a leader in radiological safety? As a Health Physics Field Coordinator (HPFC) at LANL, you will play a pivotal role in safeguarding workers and the public, ensuring the highest standards of radiological protection for both routine and high-hazard work. You'll lead dedicated teams of radiological control technicians (RCTs), coordinate safety operations, and collaborate with facility and RP Division personnel to identify needs, resolve challenges, and deliver effective solutions. Your expertise in operational health physics and radiological work control packages will support emergency response, program implementation, and mission objectives. Duties include maintaining safety and security compliance, planning and reviewing radiological work, recommending policies and procedures, coordinating data reporting, directing RCTs, supporting workplace surveillance and data interpretation, reviewing documentation, developing new techniques, ensuring accurate record retention, and adhering to regulatory guidance. If you're seeking a rewarding, challenging environment where your skills truly matter-and where you're supported by a team committed to safety-

Health Physics Field Coordinator 3: $117,200 - $195,400

The Health Physics Field Coordinator 3 has wide- ranging experience, uses professional concepts and Laboratory objectives to resolve complex issues in creative and effective ways. Frequently contributes to the development of new theories and methods. Considered expert in field within the organization. Develops resolutions to complex problems that require the frequent use of creativity and where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.

Health Physics Field Coordinator 4: $128,000 - 215,900

In addition to what was outlined at the lower level, at this level the Health Physics Field Coordinator 4 has Professional/specialized technical expertise with nuclear material radiation protection principles, practices and ability to implement those principles in at least one area of health physics (e.g. accelerators, reactors, actinides, dosimetry, instrumentation, etc.). High-level skill and extensive experience to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiation control procedures to both technical and non-technical personnel. Advanced-level problem solving skills, analytical skills and the ability to execute special assignments, and procedure development decisions consistent with radiation protection regulatory drivers.

Duties include:

• Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees. Maintains required safety and security training, assures safety and security compliance, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.
• Performs radiological work planning and ensures radiological controls are correctly applied, including high hazard work.
• Performs Radiological Document Reviews (RDRs) and procedure development.
• Recommends policies and procedures to include: work control documents, safe-work methods, decontamination procedures, and radiological emergency procedures.
• Coordinates input of radiological work data in accordance with reporting processes.
• Provides technical direction for radiation protection activities of assigned RCTs to ensure compliance with procedures and 10 CFR 835.
• Provides radiation protection support for radiological work, including workplace surveillance and analysis/interpretation of radiological data.
• Reviews radiation documentation and develops new techniques and/or procedures to increase efficiency.
• Assures accurate and legal compilation and retention of radiological records.
• Understands and adheres to all Laboratory and industry regulatory guidance and governance specific to radiation protection.
• Ensures all results, processes, and final products meet quality specifications and are completed according to established requirements.
• Fosters a mutually respectful work environment..
• Sets scope, schedule and deliverables within the organizational framework and provides day-to-day workplace coordination.
• Interfaces with audit and assessment team members.
• Assists with completing New Activity ALARA Reviews or special projects assigned by RP management.

In addition to the above, the Health Physics Field Coordinator 4 level requires;

• Recommends and responsible for developing policies and procedures to include: inspection standards, safe-work methods, decontamination procedures, and radiological emergency procedures.
• Reviews radiation documentation and develops new techniques and/or procedures to increase efficiency.
• Interfaces with audit and assessment team members and independently performs or is the functional lead for audits and assessments (e.g. management self-assessment).
• Independently completes New Activity ALARA Reviews or special projects assigned by RP management.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience in radiation protection principles and practices at DOE facilities, responding to radiological incidents/emergencies, maintaining operational health physics requirements, radiation monitoring, personnel exposure control, and other operational health physics activities.
• In-depth problem-solving skills, analytical skills and the ability to execute special assignments or procedure development consistent with radiation protection regulatory drivers.
• Demonstrated skills to conceptualize and effectively communicate major elements of radiological control procedures, RP programs, and other RP related topics verbally and written to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate or direct workplace surveillance, characterization, and remediation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Must be able to wear respiratory protection.
• Must have the ability to achieve and maintain status as a Laboratory-trained RCT. Training is provided by the program.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Q clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Training Staff Qualification Program (TSQP) qualification. Training is provided by the program.

In addition to the above the Health Physics Field Coordinator 4 requires;

• Extensive knowledge of the Laboratory's radiological safety policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts affecting radiological safety/protection. Demonstrated significant knowledge of Rad Protection reporting systems.
• Extensive knowledge and experience responding to radiological incidents and emergencies.
• Advanced-level knowledge and experience with radiological controls and the surveillance of related safety measures and requirements.
• High-level skill to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiation control procedures to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Experience generating concise and accurate reports and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports to peer and managers in the directorate.
• Advanced-level problem solving skills, analytical skills and the ability to execute special assignments or procedure development consistent with radiation protection regulatory drivers
• Reviews radiation documentation and develops new techniques and/or procedures to increase efficiency.
• Researches, assembles, and/or evaluates information or data regarding industry practices or applicable regulatory changes affecting radiation protection policies or programs; recommends sound, practical solutions to complex issues.
• Interfaces with audit and assessment team members and independently performs or is the functional lead for audits and assessments (e.g. management self-assessment).
• Independently completes New Activity ALARA Reviews (NAARs) or special projects assigned by RP management.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated skill in conducting research, investigating alternative solutions, and recommending solutions on problems affecting radiological safety/protection.
• High-level skill and extensive experience to conceptualize and communicate major elements of radiation control procedures to both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Extensive knowledge of the Laboratory's radiological safety policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of legal requirements and environmental impacts affecting radiological safety/protection. Advanced-level knowledge of Rad Protection reporting systems

Education/Experience Health Physics Field Coordinator 3: Position requires Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, or related field and 8 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Education/Experience Health Physics Field Coordinator 4: Position requires Bachelor's Degree in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Physical Science, or related field and 12 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• NRRPT certification.
• Experience providing formal coordination and direction of RCT efforts.
• Thorough knowledge of the Laboratory's radiological safety policies, practices, and procedures.
• Demonstrated skill in the preparation and presentation of radiological safety/protection reports.
• Possess Q Clearance.

Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): Reading vision, ability to speak, ability to discriminate high-pitched sounds, ability to smell, sitting, standing, climbing stairs, bending, use of both hands, arms and legs, lifting 20-30 pounds

Work Environment: Domestic/foreign travel, operation of motor vehicles, work near sources of ionizing radiation, respirator, headgear or head protection, safety glasses or eye protection, hearing protection, gloves or hand protection, safety shoes or protective footgear

Work Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: 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 2 years.

Note to Applicants: Please include a cover letter addressing how your academics