Radiation Health Physicist Trainee

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Norristown (Montgomery County); Remote; USD 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Radiation Health Physicist Trainee to learn inspection and evaluation of radiation safety across medical, industrial, and academic facilities. You will receive hands-on training, perform inspections under supervision, and develop regulatory compliance skills.

This full-time role offers a structured training program, potential telework full-time with approved location, and a starting salary of $53,008 per year. PA residency is waived for this title.

Qualifications

• Four years of technical work experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards or equivalent.
• Two years of experience with an associate degree in radiation physics or related field or NRPT certificate.
• Bachelor's degree with health physics credits or related fields as specified.
• Applicants may be within 3 months of graduating at time of application.

Responsibilities

• Inspection Assistance: Support inspections of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices under supervision
• Field Measurements: Use radiation detection instruments to collect data and observe facility operations
• Report Preparation: Draft inspection reports and document findings per procedures
• Compliance Review: Identify safety concerns and recommend corrective actions
• Complaint Response: Participate in investigations of radiation-related complaints and determine follow-up
• Emergency Support: Participate in emergency response training and drills

Skills

Technical work experience

Radiation safety knowledge

Field measurements experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in health physics or radiological sciences

Certificate of registration NRPT

Associate degree in radiation physics or related field

Bachelor's degree in physics, health physics, or nuclear engineering with health physics credits

Within 3 months of graduation allowed

Tools

Radiation detection instruments

Regulatory inspection procedures

Job description

Do you want to help protect public health by learning how to inspect and evaluate radiation safety across Pennsylvania? This is your chance to begin a meaningful career as a Radiation Health Physicist Trainee with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). In this role, you will receive hands‑on training to evaluate radiation safety at medical, industrial, and academic facilities. You will learn inspection skills, develop technical knowledge, and contribute to important public health protection efforts. Apply today to join a team committed to ensuring that radiation is used safely throughout the Commonwealth!

This trainee role provides structured training and supervised field experience in radiation safety inspections, complaint investigations, and regulatory compliance. The position supports experienced inspectors while learning procedures, regulations, and the safe use of detection equipment. As a Radiation Health Physicist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Inspection Assistance: Support inspections of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices under supervision
• Field Measurements: Use radiation detection instruments to collect data and observe facility operations
• Report Preparation: Help draft inspection reports and document findings according to program procedures
• Compliance Review: Assist in identifying safety concerns and recommending corrective actions
• Complaint Response: Participate in investigations of radiation-related complaints and determine appropriate follow-up
• Emergency Support: Take part in emergency response training and assist during drills or actual radiological events

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) full-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Norristown. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $53,008.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of technical work experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards and 20 college credits in health physics or radiological sciences; or
• Two years of technical work experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards and an associate degree in radiation physics or a related field; or
• Possession of a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists; or
• A bachelor's degree with major course work in the physical, biological, or radiological sciences or in nuclear engineering that includes 20 college credits in health physics or radiological sciences; or
• A bachelor's degree in health physics, radiation physics, radiation biology, nuclear physics, or applied health physics.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires possession of an active Class C motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.