Health Physicist

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range: $99,696- $218,868 annually

$99,696- $182,388 Annually for the TSS.3 level
$119,604 - $218,868 Annually for the TSS.4 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening in the Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H) Directorate for a Health Physicist to provide complex health physics (HP) services for various LLNL program activities at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) which is about 1 hour northwest of Las Vegas.  This position will also contribute to the areas of industrial hygiene (IH) and industrial safety (IS).  Working as part of the Joint Laboratory Office – Nevada (JLON) team, you will interact with all levels of personnel and management from the ES&H Directorate, LLNL programs, NNSS Management & Operating Contractor counterparts and external regulatory agencies.

This position will be filled at either the TSS.3 or TSS.4 level, depending on the skills and experience of the selected candidate.  Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

You will

• Meet requirements for and maintain qualification to perform as an LLNL health physicist at the appropriate level at NNSS.
• Engage with LLNL program personnel to understand radiological activities and ensure the Radiation Protection Program is effectively implemented. Assess hazards and ensure appropriate controls are identified, adequately documented, and communicated which may include areas that may not be well defined. Monitor changes and routine operations by performing regular field visits and facility inspections to assure continued adequacy of controls. Update and clearly communicate needed changes to affected personnel.
• Independently collaborate with personnel from other laboratories such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, Department of Energy personnel and Field Office representatives, the Joint Laboratory Operations-Nevada (JLON) support team, and management representatives from both LLNL and LANL toward the improvement of effectiveness and research outcomes for the JLON projects.
• Review, develop, and make necessary updates/recommendations to Facility Safety Plans, Work Control Documents, Radiological Work Permits, Safety Analysis Reports, Engineering Designs, ES&H submittals and other technical documents in collaboration with program management and other support organizations.
• Review personnel, area, and other monitoring data and take timely actions to address emerging issues. Participate in incident investigations and emergency response support to incidents on site.
• Lead and/or participate in multi-organizational activities and forums such as internal audits, and the NNSS Radiological Control Council and ALARA Committee. 
• Utilize IH/IS knowledge to support program personnel where needed. Reach back to IH/IS SMEs at the home lab as necessary for additional guidance and directions.   
• Provide HP/IH/IS briefings and training to program customers, develop and present safety courses, and/or mentor less experienced personnel. Provide feedback to management regarding the effectiveness of the HP/IH/IS programs.
• Represent the LLNL radiological control organization in all interactions with LLNL workers and management, NNSS support personnel, other organizations and DOE staff. May act as the LLNL Radiological Control Manager for NNSS.
• Lead active efforts to ensure the duties listed above are performed timely and as planned.  
• Respond to radiological emergencies and incidents on site, lead investigations for incidents or accidents involving radiation and make recommendations to all levels of management to prevent recurrence; provide HP solutions during assessments, inspections and site verifications by internal and external agencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the TSS.4 Level

• Direct technical or operational tasks and projects and/or support research efforts. Conduct highly advanced studies through the application of best-practice technical, applied science, and/or business principles, theories, and concepts. Contribute to the development of creative solutions, principles and ideas.
• Provide solutions to highly complex issues/problems where a high degree of ambiguity exists around techniques and approaches. Solutions require in-depth analysis of multiple tangible and intangible factors and may require application of complex computational analyses and/or use of advanced computer applications.
• May monitor or direct activities of the LLNL ES&H/RP team efforts at JLON; may have some lead responsibilities that could extend to being the site LLNL Radiological Control Manager representative.
• Brief senior management on overall impact and approach of work activities and approaches to challenges for the LLNL team.
• May serve as the organization spokesperson on specialized projects or programs. May act as the prime consultant on large projects that affect the organization's long-term goals and objectives.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in health physics, or another related technical area, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and ability to perform independent work.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively write, present, explain and communicate complex information to all levels of personnel including providing advice to management.
• Experience working independently under minimal direction and collaboratively with a broad cross-section of people and organizations, managing complex projects and meeting schedules.
• Experience balancing multiple short and long-term deadlines and setting priorities.
• Significant analytical and computational skills including experience with computer systems, databases, and software, including Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Ability to negotiate, recommend, and implement solutions for complex problems.
• Advanced organizational skills with detail orientation necessary to coordinate multiple and frequently conflicting concurrent tasks in an environment with frequent interruptions while providing high-level customer service and good follow-through.
• Ability to become medically qualified to wear respiratory protection equipment and to secure and maintain certification in the Human Reliability Program (HRP) which includes polygraph examination, physical and psychological assessment, and random drug and alcohol testing.
• Significant experience leading independent HP work, conducting hazard analysis, evaluating new health and safety standards, and providing technical direction/leadership to health and safety staff on HP related matters, and providing emergency response and participation in the investigation of incidents or accidents involving radiological hazards.   
• Advanced experience in HP or a related field with thorough knowledge of related state and federal regulations and other consensus standards. IH/IS knowledge also required.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and to present and communicate technical information to all levels of management both internal and external to the Laboratory, including regulatory agencies and key stakeholders. Ability to recommend and implement solutions to complex problems.

Additional qualifications at the TSS.4 Level

• Subject matter expert knowledge of highly advanced concepts and/or best practices spanning one or more specialized fields such as Health Physics, Radiological Engineering, or Nuclear Engineering.
• Expert level application and development of technical or operational principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to independently contribute to technical projects or support of programs using creativity and innovation.
• Sustainable experience leading the application and development of creative solutions, principles, theories and concepts in an innovative fashion related to the projects and experiments for the LLNL team.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Health Physics, or another related technical area and/or Certification by the American Board of Health Physics.
• Knowledge and experience with DOE operations and transuranic isotopes.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

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