Health Physicist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has an opening for a Health Physicist to join the Environment, Waste, and Radiation Protection Department in the Environment, Health, & Safety Division. The Health Physicist will provide technical subject matter expertise to resolve issues related to all aspects of health physics and accelerator safety 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 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 BELLA. The Advanced Light Source Upgrade Project is the top priority at the Lab that will endow the ALS with revolutionary x-ray capabilities and ensure the continued leadership of LBNL in soft x-ray science. This position will provide dedicated technical support to this project.

What You Will Do:

Health Physicist Level 4:

• 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.
• Represent the Radiation Protection Group as a DOE Order 420.2D, Accelerator Safety Order subject matter expert, guiding accelerator facilities through the intricacies of performing hazard evaluations for development of or revision to a Safety Analysis Document, guiding identification of necessary controls to mitigate risks and helping to identify the credited controls required to mitigate moderate and high risks, guide the development of or revision to an Accelerator Safety Envelope, guide development of project specific unreviewed safety issue (USI) procedures and performance of USI screenings, and performing various assurance activities of the accelerator facilities.
• Serve in a technical leadership role in the planning and execution of high hazard or high consequence radiological work, applying broad knowledge of best radiation practices to guide work safely to completion.
• 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 participate and/or oversee the design of radiation shielding using monte carlo radiation transport codes (e.g. MNCP, FLUKA, GEANT4). This may include performing the modeling using source term information provided by the project supported or reviewing the modeling and shielding design reports provided by the project to assure the design inputs and modeling approach implemented are correct.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. 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.

Additional Duties for the Health Physicist Level 5:

• Act as lead on medium to very large projects, and serve 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 for the Health Physicist 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 health physics principles and practices as applied to research establishments or other complex facilities, such as accelerator facilities, alpha-emitting radionuclide handling facilities, or high hazard DOE facilities.
• Experience and demonstrated capabilities with Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling codes (e.g. MCNP, FLUKA, GEANT4) or other relevant modeling codes.
• Experience with radiation detection and measurement equipment and techniques.
• Ability to identify and solve difficult technical or regulatory problems in assigned areas of responsibility, making decisions using judgment to implement optimum solutions.
• 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 for the Health Physicist 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.
• Experience of alpha-emitting radionuclide handling facilities, high hazard DOE facilities, or accelerator facilities.
• Expert level experience and demonstrated capabilities with Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling codes (e.g. MCNP, FLUKA, GEANT4) or other relevant modeling codes.
• Expert level experience with radiation detection and measurement equipment and techniques.
• 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 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:

• Professional certification, as applicable.
• Experience with external and/or internal dosimetry programs.
• Experience with Microshield, Varskin, or other relevant codes.

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid).
• The Health Physicist Level 4 is expected to pay $151,320.00-$175,000.00 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $137,724.00-$232,392.00 for the H10.4- Radiation Protection Spec 4 position. Salary for this position will be 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 $181,356.00-$306,036.00 for the H10.5- Radiation Protection Spec 5 position. Salary for this position will be 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.
• As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
• 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 a 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.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. In support of our rich 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.