RADIATION PHYSICIST 3 (Code 18093)

Code: 18093 Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a Radiation Physicist 1, or 2, Division of Environmental Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, performs radiological surveys and inspections; performs standard laboratory procedures to evaluate environmental samples for radioactive concentration; performs environmental sampling and quality assurance associated with radioactively contaminated site decommissioning and environmental sampling associated with radiological assessment of accidents involving radioactive materials and nuclear power electric generating stations; does related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Conducts field surveys and inspections of radioactively contaminated sites to provide data required to evaluate site status and to be used in implementing site decontamination programs.
• Conducts field surveys and measurements during radiological emergencies to facilitate the assessment of environmental contamination and the recommendation of protective actions.
• Conducts field surveys and inspections of industrial plants, hospitals, clinics, dental, and physician's offices and other places in the state using radioactive materials and/or xray equipment.
• Evaluates xray and radioactive material installations as to proper area posting, operating conditions, equipment use restrictions, exposure records, and adequacy of primary and secondary barriers.
• Instructs facility personnel and other interested groups in the proper installation and use of xray equipment.
• Evaluates field and plant industrial xray radiographic units to determine compliance with statutes, codes, and safety practices.
• Conducts chemical and physical procedures including analysis utilizing sophisticated nuclear instrumentation on environmental samples to determine radioactive content.
• Operates and calibrates nuclear instrumentation used in evaluating the radioactive content of environmental samples and in performing facility surveys.
• Evaluates and conducts surveys of nonionizing source of radiation such as lasers and microwave ovens to determine compliance with applicable codes, statutes, and safe practice.
• Trains and directs personnel in established operating and safety procedures in field and laboratory analysis.
• As a member of the Radiation Emergency Response Team, is available 24 hours a day to respond to radiation incidents.
• Conducts quality assurance programs to evaluate and ensure the accuracy and precision of analytical methods.
• Calculates the results of environmental analyses utilizing the central data processing system for data accumulation reduction and retrieval.
• Evaluates findings to determine compliance with the established laws, rules, and regulations.
• Supervises assigned personnel in the collection of samples, data, and other related facts.
• Conducts special radiation source investigations to locate and identify radiation hazards using radiation detection instruments. These investigations include ionizing and nonionizing sources of radiation.
• Reviews assigned portions of shielding plans and personnel exposure reocrds maintained by industry, professional people, hospitals, and other users of radioactive material or xray equipment, and makes recommendations for compliance with New Jersey Radiation Protection Code.
• Collects samples of air, water, soil, plant, foods, and animal life to determine the cause and the relationship of increases in low level radioactivity.
• Participates, as required, in enforcement procedures.
• Reviews applications for the transportation of radioactive material in the state.
• Prepares technical correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of radiation matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Radiation Sciences, Physics, Engineering, or Mathematics.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in the field of radiological health.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of theories, practices, methods, and procedures of general and analytical chemistry, radiation chemistry, and radiation physics.
• Knowledge of the general biological effects of radiation.
• Knowledge of the hazards associated with radiation and radioactivity.
• Knowledge of the standard procedures used to perform laboratory and field evaluations.
• Knowledge of proper selection of film and darkroom procedures.
• Knowledge of the proper radiological safety design of buildings, laboratories, and equipment and of the methods used in handling radioactive materials and in disposing of radioactive waste products.
• Knowledge of the methods of preventing radiation accidents.
• Knowledge of the safe use and transportation of radioactive materials. Knowledge of techniques to reduce radiation dosage to the patient and operator of diagnostic and therapeutic radiation equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles of public health organization, and the administration of the agencies assisting in carrying out the division's radiation protection objectives.
• Knowledge of data processing practices needed to input and retrieve data from central computing system.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations dealing with the control of radiation and radioactive materials after a period of training.
• Ability to operate nuclear detection instrumentation and field communication equipment.
• Ability to carry field equipment.
• Ability to operate the Bureau's data processing equipment.
• Ability to perform involved analytical procedures using sophisticated laboratory and field equipment.
• Ability to use personnel safety equipment including gas masks, self contained breathing equipment, and other related devices.
• Ability to develop and prepare education materials dealing with the hazards, methods of control, and proper handling of radioactive materials and equipment.
• Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the control or elimination of various types of radiological health hazards.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: CAH 5/23/95

Note

A Master's degree in Radiological Health, Radiological Sciences, Public Health, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the indicated experience.

A Doctorate in one (1) of the above fields may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.