Radiation Protection Specialist

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us! We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!
 

This position is with in the Radiation Protection Program, Radioactive Materials Licensing & Compliance Section. Under limited supervision of the Section Manager and Division Director the Radiation Protection Specialist is responsible for ensuring the safe use of radioactive materials and protecting individuals and the environment from the potential radiation hazards. They perform functions associated with the state radiological regulatory control program for licensing, inspecting, and monitoring the uses of radioactive materials.  They provide technical advice and consultation to other health professionals concerning health physics and standards for protection against radiation. They are expected to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive reports and establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, associates, medical and industrial professionals, government officials and the general public.

Job Responsibilities:

• Evaluates license application and amendment requests for use of radioactive materials; including facility design specifications, utilization of materials, as well as health physics and security considerations, to ensure regulatory standards are met.  These licensing activities will include health facilities administering radioactive material for diagnostic use and therapeutic use, facilities using portable and fixed gauges, radiopharmacies, service providers, industrial radiography, manual brachytherapy facilities, high dose rate remote afterloader facilities, academic institutions, licenses of limited scope, irradiators, and other emerging technologies.

• Conducts on-site health and safety inspections and investigations at facilities utilizing radioactive materials.  These inspection activities will include health facilities administering radioactive material for diagnostic use and therapeutic use, portable and fixed gauges, radiopharmacies, service providers, industrial radiography, Part XII (equivalent to 10 CFR Part 37) security inspections, manual brachytherapy, high dose rate remote afterloaders, academic, licenses of limited scope, irradiators, and other emerging technologies.

• Reviews and prepares technical inspection reports documenting facility compliance with applicable rules and regulations.  Initiates enforcement actions as necessary.

• Provides technical advice and consultation to health professionals, radiation workers, and members of the public concerning radiation protection requirements for uses of radioactive materials.

• Assists in the development and promulgation of radiation protection regulations to maintain compatibility with federal radiation control standards.

• Conducts decontamination procedures and investigations of radiological accidents and incidents under managerial supervision.

• Participates in emergency preparedness and response, and is designated as an essential employee, subject to duty on a 24-hour basis during an emergency. Provides emergency radiological assistance for the Division under managerial supervision. Serve as a Division on-call officer, able to respond to radiological incidents.

• A high school diploma and experience in environmental health programs or radiological health 
• A bachelor's degree in the natural or physical sciences, mathematics, public health, engineering, or a related technical field. 

Must possess qualifications equivalent to the standards outlined in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) Inspection Manual Chapter 1248 Appendix A and B. This would include but not limited to licensing and inspections of health facilities administering radioactive material for diagnostic use and therapeutic use, facilities using portable and fixed gauges, radiopharmacies, service providers, industrial radiography, manual brachytherapy facilities, high dose rate remote afterloader facilities, academic institutions, licenses of limited scope, irradiators, and other emerging technologies.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations.  
• Knowledge of the biological effects of radiation, understanding of radiological health principles and health physics practices.
• Skill and experience with radiation detection instrumentation.
• Ability to clearly relay inspection results, including issuance of violations, to management and facility personnel.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and climb ladders and/or stairs. 

• Must possess a valid driver's license and have the ability to operate a state vehicle.  
  • Daily travel throughout the state. 
  • Occasional overnight travel.

 

Note: Degrees in a related technical field include, but are not limited to, Earth sciences, chemistry, biology, physics, soil science, environmental science, mathematics, etc.
Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application are encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. Please note that the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript or diploma prior to hiring.

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. 
  
 The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.
 
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees: 

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices * 
  • State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
  • State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)
• Remote Work: The option of partially remote work is available after successful completion of 6 months to 1 year of employment, based on job functions

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.

Salary : $64,424 - $104,000