RADIATION PHYSICIST 1 (Non-Competitive)
Career Family: RADIATION PHYSICIST
New Jersey classifies Radiation Physicist 1 as non-competitive, which skips the exam-and-list step and turns on whether you meet the minimum requirements.
Of the 3 Radiation Physicist grades this one pays the most, sitting just above Radiation Physicist 3. It expects a bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $69,668 to $101,951, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Radiation Physicist 1 appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 4 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Radiation Physicist series
- Radiation Physicist 2 — $83,582 – $122,832
- Radiation Physicist 3 — $91,628 – $134,900
- Radiation Physicist 1 — $69,668 – $101,951 (this title)
Its top salary lands around the 48th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $71,991. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
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 close supervision of a Radiation Physicist 3 or other supervisory official in the 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 other 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 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 x-ray equipment.
- Evaluates x-ray 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 x-ray equipment.
- Evaluates field and plant industrial x-ray 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 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 twenty-four (24) hours a day to respond to radiation incidents.
- Conducts quality assurance programs to evaluate and ensure accuracy and precision of analytical methods.
- Calculates results of environmental analyses utilizing the central data processing system for data accumulation reduction and retrieval.
- Evaluates findings to determine compliance with established laws, rules, and regulations.
- Monitors assigned personnel in the collection of samples, data, and other related facts needed to determine compliance with the New Jersey Radiation Protection Code.
- Conducts special radiation source investigations to locate and identify radiation hazards using radiation detection instruments including ionizing and nonionizing sources of radiation.
- Reviews assigned portions of 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 Code.
- Collects samples of air, water, soil, plant, foods, and animal life to determine cause and 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.
- Maintains essential records, reports, and files.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Radiologic Technology, Radiation Science or Environmental Sciences, which includes sixteen (16) semester credit hours in any combination of the following lab-based courses: physics, chemistry, biology or medical imaging.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of principles and practices of radiological research methods, radiological evaluation techniques, and of methodology of technical analyses.
- Knowledge of general biological effects of radiation.
- Knowledge of hazards associated with radiation and radioactivity.
- Knowledge of standard procedures used to perform laboratory and field evaluations.
- Knowledge of proper selection of film and darkroom procedures.
- Knowledge of proper radiological safety design of buildings, laboratories, and equipment.
- Knowledge of methods used in handling radioactive materials and in disposing of radioactive waste products.
- Knowledge of methods of preventing radiation accidents.
- Knowledge of the safe use and transportation of radioactive materials.
- Knowledge of current radiation detection and measurement instrumentation.
- Knowledge of techniques to minimize radiation exposure to the patient, handler, or operator from diagnostic and therapeutic sources of radiation equipment.
- Ability to interpret and apply state and federal regulations dealing with control of radiation and radioactive materials.
- Ability to operate nuclear detection instrumentation and field communication equipment.
- Ability to carry field equipment.
- Ability to perform involved analytical procedures using sophisticated laboratory and field equipment.
- Ability to use personal 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 control or elimination of various types of radiological health hazards.
- Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
- Ability to communicate effectively with members of government, industry, and private organizations on radiological matters.
- Ability 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, and 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
A Doctorate in one of the above fields may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.