Health Phy (Rad Safety) Job in Charleston, SC

Vacancy No. CBTB-12757947-25-PH Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $88,621.00 to $115,213.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/11/2025 Close Date 7/21/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Charleston, SC


Summary

The Health Physicist serves as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. The position functions within the Director's Office with direct report to and under administrative direction of the Medical Center's Chief of Staff. The RSO is an advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and is responsible for the overall safe and prudent use of all radioactive materials and x-ray producing equipment and controls the accountability for such material and equipment.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is only open to current federal employees serving under competitive appointment; former federal employees eligible for reinstatement; veterans eligible for non-competitive appointment under the Veterans Recruitment Authority (VRA), persons eligible for appointments under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), eligible military spouses as defined by 5 CFR 315.612, persons eligible for non-competitive appointment as defined in CFR.213.3102.

Duties

This position has the primary responsibility for implementing and managing the VAMC radiation safety program and supervisory duties over assigned staff. Duties and responsibilities include but not limited to:

  • Sets up all work, trains in all areas of radiation safety including but not limited to machine produced radiation and radioactive material.
  • Develops long-range program priorities, and schedules work efforts.
  • Implements and evaluates tests, procedures, and reporting mechanisms to insure proper radiation safety measures within the facility.
  • Consults with facility medical staff and scientists, equipment vendors and operations personnel to resolve very complex and unprecedented issues arising from clinical uses of radioactivity and radiation producing equipment, research protocols, new x-ray equipment capabilities, applications or environments.
  • Plans and implements radiation safety program for a clinically complex institution and satellite clinics, which typically includes clinical consultation and/or research functions.
  • Oversees development of control criteria for new, improved or experimental equipment and environments.
  • Represents the organization in agency and peer group committees as well as affiliated university to develop new policies and procedures.
  • Develops and recommends evaluation criteria and guidelines for assessing radiation safety programs.
  • Communicates extensively with all regulatory agencies [i.e. the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), State Radiation Control Program, Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)].
  • Serves as a contractor officer representative.
  • Advises medical center administration on all aspects of health physics, including disaster planning for accidents involving radiation exposure or radioactive contamination.
  • Oversees the use of all radioactive materials and radiation producing machines within the research and clinical domains, responsible for ensuring the required audits, surveys and QA evaluations of all radiation producing equipment utilized across the Medical Center.
  • Ensures that all users of radioactive material and/or radiation producing equipment including but not limited to fluoroscopy, radiography, mammography and Computed tomography are within compliance.
  • Designs, implements and evaluates strategies to improve radiation program assurance and quality management.
  • Instructs personnel in use of monitoring equipment, safe laboratory practices, decontamination methods, etc.
  • Provides initial education and training to new employees regarding safety procedures for all personnel using radioactive materials and or radiation producing equipment and continuous training to existing employees including physicians, nursing, biomedical engineers, technologists, etc.
  • Evaluates all areas of ionizing radiation use for proper security, shielding integrity, usage, and ventilation in appropriate areas.
  • Develops, implements and maintains written policies and procedures appropriate for the monitoring, use and control of radioactive materials and radiation machines.
  • Monitor/control the storage, ordering, receipt, handling, and disposal of radioactive materials.
  • The employee independently provides expert, comprehensive quality assurance oversight for imaging to a segment of a large, complex biomedical research facility.
  • Serve as a radiation safety liaison and technical expert to unique specialty groups within the organization.
Work Schedule: Day Shift, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Telework: Yes (AD HOC)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Health Physicist (Radiation Safety Officer)/PD094200
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 07/21/2025.Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11 in the Federal service. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
  • Individual Occupational Requirement (IQR): In order to meet the basic requirement of the Health Physicist, 1306 Occupational series, you must possess:
  • A. Degree: natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus. (Copy of transcript required)
  • OR,
  • B. Combination of education and experience -- courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics, plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A. (Copy of transcript required)
  • IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE IQR,applicant must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of Health Physicists. Examples of specialized experience typically include but not limited to: Professional knowledge of health physics as it relates to a medical environment, to adapt standard practices, equipment, or techniques to solve a variety of health physics problems. Planning and conducting work that requires judgment in evaluating, selecting, and adapting precedents and in modifying procedures and criteria. Knowledge of health protection standards, theories, and practices and to operate instruments used for measuring radiation and radioactive materials. Identifying and solving complex scientific problems in medical and research laboratory functions and activities involving numerous and varied sources of radiation. Ensuring proper use of radioactive materials. Advising researchers and medical staff on how to design and conduct procedures. Identifying and evaluating radiation hazards and taking measures to eliminate or control exposure to those hazards. Experience also includes evaluating, overseeing and recommending proper safety measures for laser use.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:
  • Compliance Inspection
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Health Physics
  • Technology Application
  • Writing
Preferred Experience/Qualifications:
  • Certified / qualified Medical RSO. You may include a copy of a medical radioactive material licensed issued by NRC or an Agreement State showing you as the Radiation Safety Officer or other supporting documents.
  • Experience working with U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
  • Previous experience serving as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion such as moving (lifting and carrying) objects weighing over 45 pounds with assistance, such as leaded shielding material and imaging phantoms. Often required to wear heavy, leaded radiation-protective garments for periods of one hour or more. Periods of bending, crouching, stooping, stretching and reaching, and pushing moderately heavy items such as carts with sealed sources into and out of buildings and across sidewalks and streets.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.

Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Required - Comprehensive Resume. You are encouraged to build your resume using the Resume Builder on www.USAJobs.gov website, but if you choose to use your own résumé, then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2009) for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your work experience in detail. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
  • Required - Transcript(s). Provide copy of college/university transcripts to support your educational claims. Official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable. All materials should be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Transcript must include, at a minimum, student's name, name and location of college/university, courses/credits hours; date of degree and degree granted, as applicable.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • License
  • Other (1)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/21/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12757947.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations where patients receive care or who come into contact with VA patients as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, paid and unpaid, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, students, researchers, volunteers, and trainees who work at these facilities. HCP that are unable to receive or otherwise decline a flu shot will be expected to wear a face mask throughout the influenza season.

Agency contact information

Phoebe Holloway
Address
Ralph H Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
109 Bee Street
Charleston, SC 29401
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.


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