HEALTH PHYSICIST

Serves as a health physicist skilled in the area of nuclear radiation, neutron activation, ionizing and nonionizing radiation, Godiva reactor, radiation safety, and working on assignments of broad nonionizing radiation protection at SV, White Sands Test Center (WSTC). The program is highly visible and failure to meet Army and NRC regulatory requirements will result in fines and adverse actions for SV and WSTC to include removal of licenses and reactor operating permit. These projects include a large array of state-of-the-art and one-of-a-kind research and development as well as test and evaluation projects for the Army and DOD. The work requires application of professional knowledge, techniques, principles, and practices relating to ionizing and nonionizing radiation, radiation safety, radiation production, activation products, and environmental regulations.

Selects, interprets, and adapts precedents and principles of health physics and exercise of related disciplines to analyze and resolve complex problems. Examples of problems include High Energy Laser, Ionizing and nonionizing radiation, Godiva Reactor, activation products, various flash X-ray simulators, depleted uranium, Nuclear Weapon Effects and associated test and evaluation methodology, High Power Electromagnetic Environments and their simulators, transportation of irradiated items, radiation protection, annual inspections, and various Research and Development programs. Searches and researches existing guides and technical literature for possible precedence. Reviews and understands regulations including proposed regulations for applicability to activities at SV whose principle mission is to operate and maintain nuclear weapons effects simulators and facilities, conduct nuclear weapons effects test and evaluation program on all Army weapon systems using the SV nuclear facilities, and support external customers using these facilities.

Schedules, plans, and conducts periodic surveys of radiation hazards on the Godiva Reactor, Gamma Radiation Facility, Eldorado Facility, Electron Linear Accelerator, Relativistic Electron Beam Accelerator, Compact Flash X-ray Simulator, PI-538 Flash X-ray simulator, Dosimeter Laboratory, High Power Microwave, Ultra-Wideband, High Intensity Radiated Frequencies Simulators, High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse Simulators, Lightning Simulators, 10-kw Lasers and a multitude of laser emitters currently employed at the SV. Documents these surveys with formal reports, which recommend safe work procedures and other protective measures. Prevents radiation hazards violations.

Participates in long range planning for radiation safety studies involving radiation (ionizing and nonionizing) projects and programs being introduced to SV. Drafts SV-P responses to Program Introductions and operation Requirements of projects.

Evaluates Safety Standing Operating Procedures to determine whether projects and programs using radiation will be performed in a safe manner. Determines the worth of instrumentation to be applied for the survey of the various radiating simulators, sources and devices.

Utilizes computer hardware and software to generate and update ionizing and nonionizing inventories to document other aspects of the radiation protection program.

Emergency Plans. Participates in drawing up of emergency plans and participates in emergency exercises as a team member or team leader.

Participates in all health physicist matters during Department of Army Inspector General Inspections, annual Army Reactor Council Inspection, annual Army Test and Evaluation Command Inspections, annual Developmental Test Command Inspections and other inspections of SV nuclear weapons effects facilities. Interact with NRC in regards to licenses. 

Program Management - assures state-of-the art health physics, nuclear and radiation safety concepts, principles, and techniques are incorporated into the SV and WSTC Safety and Occupational Health Program Keeps abreast of current and proposed technical and managerial developments in the health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety fields; and determines, formulates, and institutes appropriate changes in the SV program to assure it embodies the latest practices. Develops appropriate standards for SV operations and facilities where existing standards are inadequate or where standards do not exist. Independently develops new or improved techniques to accomplish assignments to assure implementation of the As Low As Reasonable Achievable (ALARA) concept, which often involves departures from established practice. Provides technical assistance in SV radioactive material disposal efforts, with specific emphasis on the re-utilization of surplus radioactive devices and material and on the disposal of radioactive waste; provides managerial and procedural guidance for minimizing the generation of waste; assures non-Army recipients of surplus radioactive material and devices are capable of safely and legally processing it.

Policy Development: Assist in the Development, dissemination, interpretation, and implementation of health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety policies, directives, and procedural guidelines for assuring safe and healthful working and environmental conditions and practices at SV activities. Devises and recommends new methods, programs, and policies to bring deficient areas into compliance with applicable health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety legislation, standards, and regulations. Interprets, modifies, and extends, as necessary, existing standards, regulations, and policies to safely and effectively accomplish SV radiological and nuclear missions.

Staff Advisory and Consulting Services - Evaluates, researches, and resolves existing or potential problems relative to SV health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety errors which are identified by the Commanding General, other staff elements, subordinate activities, DOD, DA, ARC, ATEC, NRC and other federal agencies. Provides technically sound and accurate advice and information in response to inquiries; included here are consultant services regarding personal protective equipment, and engineering and administrative controls necessary to safely employ ionizing or nonionizing radiation sources to adequately accomplish radiological missions. Furnishes technical guidance and advice to other Army commands, higher headquarters, other governmental organizations, professional societies, the private sector, etc., on issues having impact and application.

Performs continuing evaluation of the adequacy of the health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety efforts of SV. Conducts on-site evaluation; analyzes plans and procedures; identifies radiation hazards and other inadequacies; prescribes measures to eliminate or otherwise control such hazards and to remedy deficiencies; and prepares evaluation reports. Assesses compliance with applicable legislation, standards, and regulations, including those generated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Army Reactor Council, US Army Nuclear And Chemical Agency (USANCA), Bureau of Radiological Health (BRHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Army Environmental Hygiene Agency (AEHA), DA, ATEC, and DTC.

Accident/Incident Investigation and Control Performs or directs the investigation of accidents and incidents involving ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, and of occurrences involving potential radiation overexposure. Conducts fact-finding inquiries of such events to determine their causes, contributing factors, and appropriate corrective actions. Makes such additional analyses and evaluations as necessary to define systemic problems and then to direct or prescribe required countermeasures. In the event of a major radiation accident, assumes technical control of efforts to minimize radiation exposures and the spread of contamination. 

Licensing and Control - Managing all SV licensing, authorization, and control efforts for ionizing radiation sources and materials used in weapon systems and commodities and in test, evaluation, research and development, and industrial applications. Reviews and evaluates all SV requests for US NRC licenses for special nuclear, radioactive source, and byproduct materials. Performs similar review and evaluation of requests for DA authorizations for the use of radioactive materials exempt from NRC control. Administers and assures compliance with the provisions of all NRC licenses and DA radioactive material authorizations held by SV Performs periodic reviews of existing NRC licenses and DA authorizations to assure currency, adequacy, and the incorporation of state-of-the-art radiation safety controls. Further specifies controls necessary for the protection of the work force and the public from ionizing radiation sources not covered by licenses or authorizations. 

Coordination/Liaison - Establishes effective liaison with other organizational elements and agencies having interests in SV health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety matters. Included here are agencies both within (e.g., ARC, USANCA, ATEC, AEHA, FSA, SDC, commodity commands, etc.) and outside ( DOT, OSHA, DOE, NASA, NRC, BRH, EPA, etc.) the Department of the Army. Provides review and comment on reports resulting from evaluations conducted by other external organizations. Provides input to other Federal and State interactions concerning health physics matters. Represents SV at health physics related conferences, meetings, symposia, workshops, and on-scene-commander's staff. Participates in committees, panels, working groups, etc., as a technical advisor with regard to health physics, nuclear, and radiation safety matters.

Performs other duties as assigned.

1. This is a drug testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program. Signing of a DA Form 5019 (Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified as Critical under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program) acknowledging periodic random drug testing requirements is mandatory prior to being placed into this position. Those individuals not currently occupying a TDP position must successfully complete a pre-appointment drug test prior to being placed into this position.

2. Personnel Reliability Program (PRP): Must meet the personal qualifying factors/requirements and remain qualified for the Personnel Reliability Program (PRP) IAW AR 50-5, "Nuclear Surety" Chapter 2, Section II, as this regulation applies to positions that have related responsibilities for nuclear and chemical weapons and materiel.

3. A medical examination is required.

4. Must obtain and maintain a SECRET Security Clearance.

5. Temporary Duty travel (TDY) may be required up to 5% of the time.

NOTE 1: Use of personal protective equipment is required, including respirators.

NOTE 2: Additional Conditions of Employment may be added to this PD to comply with DoD, Army, MACOM, and/or local requirements as long as the changes do not affect the classification or staffing patterns of this standard PD.

 

** Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08). Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually, in accordance with DoD Directive 5500-7-R, Joint Ethics Regulation, dated 17-Nov-2011.