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Posted: March 20, 2026 (0 days ago)

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HEALTH PHYSICIST

Defense Health Agency

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$121,785 - $158,322

per year

Closes

April 3, 2026More DOD jobs →

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves overseeing the safe use of radioactive materials in a defense health organization, including reviewing permits, conducting safety inspections, and providing expert advice on radiation protection.

It suits someone with strong experience in health physics who can ensure compliance with safety rules and handle potential radiation incidents.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented professionals passionate about public health and safety in high-stakes environments.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in natural science or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, or calculus
  • One year of specialized experience at GS-12 level, including reviewing radioactive material permits, storing/transporting radiation materials, and conducting radiation safety inspections
  • Certification from the American Board of Health Physics (preferred) or American Board of Radiology, or qualification as a Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector
  • Experience in radiation protection programs involving radioactive materials and ionizing radiation sources
  • Ability to provide technical and regulatory guidance on receipt, handling, transportation, and shipment of radioactive materials
  • Skills in investigating radiological incidents, problems, or unusual circumstances
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to work on-site in Falls Church, Virginia, with situational telework only

Full Job Description

About the Position: This position is located in Falls Church, Virginia.

Management would prefer applicants who have certification from the American Board of Health Physicists or American Board of Radiology, qualified for certification, and/or is a Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector.

This position is eligible for situational telework only and is not a remote position.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation Who May Apply: US Citizens In order to qualify, you must meet the education/experience requirements described below.

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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application.

Additional information about transcripts is in this document. Basic Requirement for Health Physicist GS-1306-13: A.

Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus.

OR B. Combination of Education and Experience: Courses, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education. OR C.

Certification: 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.

You must attach the certification.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: reviewing Radioactive Material Permits; storing and/or transporting radiation materials; and conducting radiation safety inspections.

This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify.

For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Major Duties:

  • Manage DHA Radioactive Materials Authorizations (DRMAs) issued to DHA components and subordinates.
  • Communicate independently with authorized commands to obtain information regarding applications for authorization renewals.
  • Review DRMA applications to ensure compliance with the DHA, Administrative Instructions, local command directives.
  • Serve as the health physics expert for the DHA components and subordinates with comprehensive radiation protection programs using radioactive materials and/or sources of ionizing radiation.
  • Provide comprehensive technical and administrative health physics expertise on the full range of radiation safety matters related to the use and testing of radioactive materials.
  • Provide regulatory guidance and technical support on all areas involving the receipt, handling, and transportation/shipment of radioactive materials.
  • Investigate reported radiological problems, incidents, or unusual circumstances involving facilities and materials.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 3/20/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/20/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: HQKF-26-12913629-DHA