Health Physicist

Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. ; Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL); This is a Direct Hire Public Notice. Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.

The duties listed reflect the full performance level of the Health Physicist, NN-1306-04 position; the NN-03 position is developmental, with the goal of progressing toward performing these duties.

As a Health Physicist, you will:

• Serves as a Health Physicist in the Office of the Assistant Manager for Operations-Pittsburgh, Environmental, Safety and Health Project Office, at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, a government owned, contractor operated naval nuclear propulsion research and development laboratory within the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP), a joint program of the Department of the Navy and the Department of Energy (DOE).

• Oversees decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) operations at radiological facilities, including development and implementation of improved cost performance metrics, accountability measures, and process improvements.

• Provides oversight of all radiological controls activities, radioactive waste processing and disposal operations, radiation health programs, and laboratory wide emergency planning, preparedness, and incident response capability.

• Plans, executes, and evaluates programs involving radiological controls and radiation health of Federal employees, including radiological controls training, qualification of radiation workers, emergency planning and preparedness, and serving as a DOE accident investigator when required.

• Oversees the contractor's radiological controls and radiation health program and represents the Naval Reactors Program in routine and nonroutine interactions with Federal, state, and local regulators, including technical presentations explaining Naval Reactors (NR) Program policies and operations.

• Serves in a dual role capacity in a DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) position and is utilized on a permanent, non-reimbursable basis by the Department of the Navy to perform additional duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service. See www.sss.gov.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final DOE Q level security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (including marijuana) is required. A tentative offer of employment may be rescinded if you fail to report to the drug test appointment or pass the test. You will be subject to random testing.
• You are required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, Executive Branch Personnel Confidential Financial Disclosure Report upon entering the position and annually (5CFR Part 2634, Subpart I USOGE, 6/08).
• A one year probationary period may be required. Employees serving on probationary period may be terminated at any time during the probationary for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time.
• Reinstated employees who returned to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probation will be required to complete a new probationary period.
• Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
• Your answers to the essay questions will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• This position does not support 100% remote work. You will be required to report physically to the official reporting worksite as specified in this announcement. Situational telework may be approved.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random drug testing. Failure to test or a positive result on random drug tests conducted after appointment may result in removal from Federal employment.
• Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
• Resumes may not exceed two pages. Please see additional information in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section of the job announcement.
• Promotion consideration to the next grade will be based on demonstrated performance and fulfillment of qualification requirements.

Qualifications

NN-03 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NN-02 (GS-11) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience which demonstrates the following:

1. Overseeing radiological decontamination and decommissioning operations for radiological or nuclear facilities to ensure compliance with federal regulations, safety standards, and operational requirements.

2. Administering, evaluating, or monitoring radiation protection programs designed to protect personnel, facilities, and the environment from radiological exposure hazards.

3. Conducting technical reviews, audits, inspections, or assessments of contractors or organizational radiological control activities to determine compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.

4. Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, or regulatory personnel to support safe execution of radiological operations and compliance initiatives

NN-04 SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level NN-03 (GS-13) in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience which demonstrates the following:

1. Administering radiological decontamination and decommissioning operations for radiological facilities and areas to ensure compliance with federal regulations, safety standards, and project cost and schedule requirements.

2. Conducting critical technical reviews, audits, inspections, or assessments of contractor radiological control and decontamination and decommissioning activities to verify compliance with applicable regulations, contract requirements, and site radiological control procedures.

3. Preparing technical reports, assessments, final status survey documentation, and briefing materials that summarize radiological decontamination and decommissioning progress, contractor performance, and radiological risk posture for senior-level managers and decision makers.

4. Coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, and oversight organizations to integrate radiological controls into project planning and execution, supporting the safe and compliant completion of radiological projects and milestones.

Resumes may not exceed two pages. Please see additional information in the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" section of the job announcement.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: IOR: Professional and Scientific Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, 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.

Please ensure EACH work history includes ALL of the following information:

• Job Title (include series and grade if Federal Job)
• Duties (be specific in describing your duties, we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience)
• Employer's name and address
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Start and end dates including month and year (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
• Start and end dates for each grade/pay level if you've held a federal position.
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Salary

You must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA). Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Education and Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration. Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process.

Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

The competencies for the Health Physicist are:

• Compliance
• Hazardous Materials
• Health Physics
• Technical Competence

Knowledge Assessment: The multiple-choice knowledge assessment includes a passing score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. This assessment is intended to measure your knowledge in areas relevant to the position, and your results will be used as part of the overall evaluation of your qualifications. You must meet or exceed the passing score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the passing score or fail to complete the assessment.

All qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring office for consideration.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: View information about ICTAP/CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. In order to be considered under the ICTAP/CTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the required documents section of this job announcement.

If your resume is incomplete or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible' or 'not qualified'.

You must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date (07/30/2026) of this announcement.

Shared Certificates: The Department of Energy shares lists of applicants among its internal Departmental Elements and organizations. You may be referred for consideration to other DOE Hiring Managers throughout the Department for more than one position based on this application. By applying to this announcement, you understand your application materials may be shared with multiple Hiring Mangers throughout DOE. If additional positions are filled from this announcement conditions of employment may differ. You will be notified if you are referred for additional positions.

1. RESUME: Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages. Be clear and specific in describing your job-related qualifications, as HR cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Include dates (month and year) and hours worked per week. For military or Federal civilian service, you MUST include your pay plan/band, series, and/or rank/grade (e.g., Captain, E-5, GS-0301-9). Do NOT include photographs, social media links (e.g., LinkedIn), inappropriate content, or other personal or sensitive information such as date of birth, social security number, gender, religious affiliation. IF INCLUDED YOUR RESUME WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

2. OTHER SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (only submit if applicable):

• INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ICTAP) and CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(CTAP): Submit a copy of the following:
  • Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through reemployment priority list (RPL), etc.;
  • Latest performance appraisal including your rating; AND
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• CURRENT OR FORMER POLITICAL SCHEDULE A, SCHEDULE C, NON-CAREER SES OR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE EMPLOYEE: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  • Position title;
  • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
  • Agency; AND
  • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.

Failure to submit required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.

All documents, including transcripts, must be in English.

Next steps