HEALTH PHYSICIST - 10202026-81843

Full-time position in Nashville, TN with the Department of Environment and Conservation. Salary: $4,098.00 – $6,160.00 monthly ($49,176.00 – $73,920.00 annually). This position requires U.S. citizenship for access to federally restricted radiological systems and Nuclear Regulatory Commission training programs.

About the role

Under immediate supervision, the incumbent learns professional environmental, natural resources, sustainability, environmental assistance, radiological health, and similar science-related program work of routine difficulty. This is the entry-level class in the TDEC Environmental Scientist subseries. Assignments may include environmental compliance inspection, monitoring, problem identification, corrective action, and enforcement duties in a regulatory or assistance division, or natural resource management and inventory in conservation or non-regulatory programs. The class differs from TDEC Environmental Scientist 3, which performs advanced working or lead-level duties under general supervision. An appointee will be reclassified to TDEC Environmental Scientist 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year probationary period; inadequate or marginal performance during probation results in automatic termination.

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's or higher degree in environmental science, physical sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, geology, meteorology), ecology, sustainability or applied science in sustainability, life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, agricultural science, agronomy, health physics or biophysics), environmental health, pre-medicine, engineering, or other acceptable science or natural resource related field.
• An acceptable environmental, physical, or life science degree will be considered based on assignment by the specific program area.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license at time of appointment (required for some positions); if position requires operating a boat, must obtain a boater's license.
• Applicants for the TDEC Environmental Scientist 1 in the Division of Radiological Health must successfully complete training courses offered by the Division of Radiological Health, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or other federal agencies.
• TDEC Environmental Scientists 1 performing geologic duties the major portion of their time must either:
  • Have completed required college coursework at time of appointment to be eligible for the licensing examination offered by Tennessee's Department of Commerce and Insurance's Board of Professional Geologists, or
  • Hold and maintain a current Geologic license from the State of Tennessee during employment, or hold a current Geologic license from another state that Tennessee has evaluated and granted reciprocal licensing rights.
• Some positions assigned to function as Biologists must meet specific educational requirements: graduation with a bachelor's degree including at least 36 quarter hours (or 24 semester hours) in biology in one of the following areas: (1) biology or biological sciences, (2) botanical sciences, (3) environmental or conservation sciences, (4) zoological sciences, or (5) aquatic, terrestrial, or wetland biology or ecology or other acceptable biological science related field.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates credentials of medical users, facility design, and the proper use of radioisotopes.
• Day-to-day involvement with the public providing expert assistance to those wishing to use radioactive material in their professional and business activities.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies involving radiation sources at licensed or registered facilities.
• Assist the regulated community, as well as other employees, in understanding and complying with applicable State regulations concerning the receipt, possession, and disposition of radiation sources and devices containing radioactive material.
• Utilize a computer and software including databases, word processing, spreadsheets, email, etc., to complete assignments.

Skills

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Tech Savvy
• Business Insight

Knowledge

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Geology
• Law & Government

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning and Listening
• Judgement and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Writing

Abilities

• Written Comprehension
• Inductive Reasoning
• Deductive Reasoning
• Limb and/or Full Body Flexibility
• Prolonged Stamina

Tools & Equipment

• Computer/Tablet/Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax
• Telephone/Cell Phone/Pager/Two-Way Radios
• Watercraft/Motor Vehicle/ATV
• Sampling, Monitoring Equipment and Supplies/Tools
• GPS/PPE/Power and Hand Tools

Pay

Monthly: $4,098.00 – $6,160.00
Annually: $49,176.00 – $73,920.00