RADIATION PHYSICIST 1 (Competitive)

Code: 18095 State Competitive Range: R29 (FY 2027)

Salary: $95,955.4 - $141,386.2/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

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 the Chief, Bureau of Radiation, Division of Environmental Quality, Department of Environmental Protection, organizes and coordinates radiological surveys and inspections; organizes and directs laboratory procedures to evaluate environmental samples for radioactive concentration; organizes and directs 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 electric generating stations; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Prepares budgetary requests for the effective operation of their functional program element.
• Prepares exhibits to be used in court proceedings and acts as a witness in court.
• Prepares scientific papers for publication; participates in scientific meetings and conferences and serves on scientific committees.
• Meets with supervisors and other people in various private or government agencies and provides consultation and advise on the basic principles of radiological health protection.
• Establishes and evaluates standard procedures for chemical and/or physical and instrumental analysis and the interpretation of these analysis.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Directs and assigns surveys and inspections of radioactively contaminated sites to provide data required to evaluate site status and to be used in implementing site decontamination programs.
• Coordinates field surveys and measurements during radiological emergencies to facilitate the assessment of environmental contamination and the recommendation of protective actions.
• Directs and supervises all work regarding nonionizing sources of radiation including lasers, microwave towers, FM transmitters and high voltage transmission lines to determine compliance with applicable codes, statutes, and safety practices.
• Coordinates field surveys and inspections of industrial plants, hospitals, clinics, dental and physicians' offices, and other places in the state using radioactive materials and/or x-ray equipment. Acts in the place of the Assistant Bureau Chief in his absence.
• Directs the evaluation of x-ray and radioactive material installations as to proper area posting, operating conditions, equipment use restrictions, exposure records, adequacy of primary and secondary barriers.
• Prepares and conducts educational programs for personnel and other interested groups in the proper installation and use of x-ray equipment.
• Develops and implements chemical and/or physical procedures including analysis of environmental samples to determine radioactive content.
• Supervises the operation and calibration of nuclear instrumentation used in evaluating the radioactive content of environmental samples used in performing facility surveys.
• Trains and directs personnel in established operating and safety procedures, field and laboratory analysis.
• As a member of the Radiation Emergency Response Team is available twenty-four (24) hours a day to respond to and coordinate emergency activities at radiation incidents.
• Develops and implements quality assurance programs to evaluate and ensure the accuracy and precision of analytical methods.
• Evaluates and approves data processing methods within the program.
• Evaluates findings and determines compliance or noncompliance with the established laws, rules, and regulations.
• Directs special radiation source investigations to locate and identify radiation hazards.
• Reviews and approves or disapproves shielding plans, and personnel exposure records maintained by industry, professional people, hospitals, and other users of radioactive material or x-ray equipment, and makes recommendations for compliance with New Jersey Radiation Protection Codes.
• Directs the collection of air, water, soil, plant, foods and animal life samples to determine the cause and the relationship of increases in low level radioactivity.
• Supervises the review of applications and authorization of 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 establishment and maintenance of essential records and performs administrative research and development projects required to support program objectives.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information system 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

Four (4) years of technical experience in the field of Radiological Health, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

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 film selection 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 the central computer systems.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations dealing with the control of radiation and radioactive materials.
• Ability to operate nuclear detection instrumentation and communication equipment.
• Ability to carry field equipment.
• Ability to perform involved analytical procedures using sophisticated laboratory and field equipment.
• Ability to operate the bureau's data processing equipment.
• Ability to use personnel safety equipment including gas masks, selfcontained breathing equipment and other related devices.
• Ability to supervise and schedule assigned personnel engaged in environmental monitoring and in surveying radiation facilities for the purpose of determining hazards and establishing controls and regulations for the prevention of radiation injuries.
• Ability to develop and prepare educational 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 establish and maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to prepare and present technically accurate evidence for use in legal actions taken by the department's Attorney General.
• Ability to communicate effectively with government, industry, and private organizations on radiological matters.
• 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: 28/R29- JMR 5/27/95 28/R28-

Note

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

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