Health Physicist

Protect the Mission. Advance Radiation Safety. Make an Impact at NASA's Kennedy Space Center!

Herndon Solutions Group (HSG) is seeking an experienced Health Physicist to help lead radiation protection efforts supporting NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Patrick Space Force Base.

This is more than a traditional health physics role. You'll serve as a technical leader, guide radiation safety professionals, and help ensure the safe execution of operations supporting some of the nation's most exciting aerospace missions.

From radiation protection program oversight to radiological contingency planning for major launches, your expertise will play an important role in protecting people, supporting mission readiness, and advancing operational safety.

Ready to put your health physics expertise to work where innovation meets mission-critical safety? Join HSG and help protect the people and missions shaping the future of space exploration!

General Description

Under the guidance of the Health Physics Manager, the Health Physicist will oversee technical functions for the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), and Patrick Space Force Base (PSFB) Radiation Protection Programs. This position serves as a technical lead for all health physics matters related to ionizing and nonionizing radiation.

How You Will Fulfill Your Mission

• Assist the Health Physics Manager with ensuring compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations by providing technical support to various aspects of the Radiation Protection Program(s).
• Provide technical expertise and serve as primary technical liaison or resource within specific areas as assigned or requested, including areas of program development, regulatory impact, or design review.
• Directly oversees and is responsible for the accuracy of work products and technical performance of Health Physics Specialists in both field and laboratory environments.
• Responsible for the review of health physics reports for technical accuracy, quality, and timeliness.
• Evaluate program data to determine trends in technical quality and regulatory compliance. Prepare and present program review reports.
• Respond to inquiries, investigate, and resolve issues of technical concern as directed by the Health Physics Manager.
• Maintain and provide technical reviews of procedures and documentation in accordance with, and to ensure compliance with, applicable regulatory requirements
• Evaluate changes to policies and regulations to determine impacts to established processes or procedures
• Assume the temporary duties of the Health Physics Manager when required.
• Provide training to Health Physics Specialists to ensure they have the appropriate level of training necessary to conduct their work.
• Perform or assist with any departmental operations, as required, or as directed by the Health Physics Manager to maintain workflow or expedite work products.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies as directed to protect and preserve the health and safety of persons in the area, and to reduce the exposure and impact.
• Perform a range of support related to the radiological contingency planning (RCP) for Major Radiological Source launches and associated ground processing operations.
• Coordinate between multiple stakeholders to establish unique requirements and mitigate risks to minimize mission impacts
• Recommend changes to policies and processes
  
  

The duties and responsibilities described in this position description in no way state or imply that these are the only duties performed. This position may require that additional duties and responsibilities be performed.

Why We Value You

• You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail
• You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners
• You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across
• You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
• You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful
• You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work
  
  

Specific Knowedge/Certification Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Health or Nuclear Physics, radiation protection, or in a relevant science discipline
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in an environmental, environmental health, or medical specialty
• National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT) certified or equivalent level of training and experience
• Possess a valid driver’s license and be eligible for secret clearance
• Strong knowledge in mathematics, statistics, and experience in the reading, analyzing, and development of technical reports and regulations, and can effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Health physics experience at universities, academic, medical, State/Federal regulatory environments, nuclear power, or the Department of Defense
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Health Physicist by the American Board of Health Physics
• Certified Laser Safety Officer by the Board of Laser Safety
• Project management experience
  
  

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear; have sufficient manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, and other such office equipment as necessary; may occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. May expose employee to industrial equipment and vehicles (i.e., boats, airboats, ATVs and possibly helicopters), facilities without climate controls, and outdoor settings in all weather conditions, possibly for extended periods of time, and sometimes while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Specific visual abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Work Environment: Work will mainly be performed in a hybrid setting, a combination of in the field and in an office setting, and occasionally with irregular hours.
• Travel: A low to moderate amount of travel away from the office may be required.