PRINCIPAL RADIATION PROTECTION SPECIALIST - Los Angeles County, CA Posted on: 09-04-2024 08:00 AM PST Job Description: Supervises and provides technical guidance to a group of radiation protection specialists conducting inspections, investigations, and tests to detect and control radiation hazards; or conducts the most complex, specialized, and sensitive investigations, inspections, tests, and emergency response and preparedness to detect and control hazards arising from radioactive materials.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:

Positions allocable to this class work under the supervision of the Head, Radiation Control in the Environmental Health Division of the Department of Public Health. Positions are responsible for providing technical and administrative supervision to a group of lower-level radiation protection specialists conducting a variety of investigations, inspections and tests, and evaluations to detect and control radiation hazards arising from the use of X-ray equipment or radioactive materials. Some positions in this class are assigned to perform the most difficult and complex health physics work. This responsibility includes planning and conducting difficult studies, surveys, inspections, and investigations of radiologic health hazards; developing and adapting instrumentation for determination and measurement of radiation; reviewing plans and specifications and advising on the design and modification of engineered controls, including shielding and exhaust ventilation systems. In addition, positions monitor the use, receipt, transfer, and disposal of radioactive materials in medical, industrial, educational, research, and manufacturing facilities to ensure safe handling and disposition and supervise decontamination and radiation safety procedures in cases of radiological incidents.

 

Essential Job Functions

 

Supervises lower-level radiation protection specialists conducting investigations, inspections and tests, and evaluations to detect and control radiation hazards arising from the use of X-ray equipment or radioactive materials.

Performs inspections of radioactive materials licenses or X-ray registrants at specified intervals, including determining compliance with regulations and license conditions, discharges into the environment are within permissible limits, and good radiation safety practices.

Reviews applications for radioactive materials licenses and license amendments, and advises applicants or the State on required changes in facilities, programs, uses, and procedures, to conform to legal requirements and good radiation safety practices.

Prepares written reports of inspection findings, including letters and Notices of Violations to the user; and follows-up on violations to assure timely and appropriate correction.

Uses a variety of radiation measuring instruments, test equipment, and computers, following established procedures, to determine compliance with federal, State, and County laws and regulations.

Enforces the State's certification law regarding nuclear medicine and X-ray technologists.

Completes special projects as directed by the Head, Radiation Control.

Provides consultation and training to the public, physicians, and nuclear medicine and X-ray personnel on proper practices, procedures, and legal requirements in the use and handling of radioactive materials or X-ray machines, and radiation safety.

Prepares and conducts lectures and training programs in the safe use and handling of radioactive materials or X-ray machines.

Demonstrates proper techniques to improve procedures and minimize radiation exposures to the public and the occupational worker.

Trains radiation protection specialists in all phases of X-ray inspection techniques and procedures, program policies, and interpretation of regulations.

Responds to emergency situations involving radiation incidents, such as incidents involving the loss or spill of radioactive materials, or deliberate acts of terrorism.

Applies available radiation safety criteria and accepted practices in analyzing and evaluating radiation exposures, doses, and probable effects.

Job Requirements: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Option I: A Bachelor's degree* from an accredited college or university with a major in health physics, radiologic health, radiologic science, physics, radiologic technology, physical science, or a closely related field** - AND- Four (4) years of professional experience*** in health physics or a closely related field**.

Option 2: Two years of experience performing the duties of a Senior Radiation Protection Specialist**** in Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 

One year of full-time graduate work in radiologic health, radiologic science, health physics, physics, engineering, mathematics, or physical science, may be substituted for one year of the required general experience in health physics.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS:
Physical Class III – Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.    

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*In order to receive credit for any type of college or university degree, such as a Bachelor's Degree or higher, youmust attach a legible copy of the Official Diploma, Official Transcripts, or Official Letter from the accredited institution, which shows the date the degree was awarded, with Registrar's signature and school seal, to the application at the time of filing, or e-mail to hrexams@ph.lacounty.gov within seven (15) calendar days from application submission or your application may be rejected.

Foreign degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to United States accredited institutions standards by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or The Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). (see Employment Information under Accreditation Information) Official Transcripts is defined as a transcript that bears the college seal and states "official and/or copy" issued by the school's registrar office.  A printout of the courses from the school's website is NOT considered official transcripts and will not be accepted and may result in your application being incomplete and rejected. All documents must be attached to your application at the time of filing or e-mailed to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov within seven (15) calendar days from application submission or your application may be rejected as incomplete. 

**Related Fields:  Nuclear Engineering, Physics of Instrumentation, Geologic Science, Chemistry or a closely related field.

***Professional Experience:  Work experience gained in a professional occupation or classification subsequent to receiving a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.

****Experience at the level of Senior Radiation Protection Specialist in the County of Los Angeles is defined as: Conducts complex, specialized and sensitive investigations, inspections and evaluations to detect and control radiation hazards, and ensures compliance with State, Federal, and County laws and regulations arising from the use of X-ray equipment and radioactive materials and acts as lead-person over Radiation Protection Specialists.
 
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:  

Certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) or Registered by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT)*****. Emergency Response experience in Radiation Emergency Response, incident command structure, performing radiation clean ups, or understanding/implementation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Protective Action Guides (PAGs). Current Fit Test for Respirator approved. Fit test card must be attached to your application at the time of filling or within (15) calendar days from application submission to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov. Certificate of Completion for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER). Certificate must be attached to your application at the time of filling or within (15) calendar days from application submission to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov. 

*****Applicants must attach a legible photocopy of their ABHP or NRRPT certification or official letter of passing of their ABHP or NRRPT tests with their application online at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days from application submission to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov.

Salary: $93,091.68 - $125,449.20 Annually Website: Apply Now ID: JOB-59053 Report a Problem ArmenianBD.com Report a Problem Spam, repeated ad Prohibited, scams, illegal content Wrong category or location Other Comments:*