PRINCIPAL RADIATION PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Position/Program Information

EXAM NUMBER

PH5776E

FIRST DAY OF FILING

Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 8:30a.m., Pacific Time (PT)

This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

No out-of-class experience will be accepted.

DEFINITION:
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.
  

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, you must 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. (A ICE ). (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.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience based upon application information, desirable qualifications and supplemental questionnaire at the time of filing weighted 100%.

Applicants must meet the requirements described above at the time of filing and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be added to the Eligible Register.

Passing this examination and being added to the Eligible Register does not guarantee an offer of employment.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be added to the Eligible Register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of eligibility.


NO PERSON MAY COMPETE IN THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWELVE (12) MONTHS .

Complete applications will be processed on an as received basis and promulgated to the Eligible Register accordingly.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

The Eligible Register resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Health as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

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Application and Filing Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be filed ONLINE ONLY. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will NOT be accepted. Any required documents and/or additional information, if any, must be received with your application at the time of filing online or sent to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days from application submission.

Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button located on this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.


The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. Fill out the application and Supplemental Questionnaire accurately and completely to receive full credit for any relevant education and/or job experience you include. In the space provided on the application for education, include names and addresses of schools attended, dates attended, degree(s) received, and degree major. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job/position title, start and end dates, the number of hours worked per week, and detailed description of work and duties performed. If the application and/or Supplemental Questionnaire is/are incomplete, the application will be REJECTED.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

Please note that ALL information supplied by applicants and included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.

• Applications may be rejected at any stage of the examination and selection process.
• FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.
• Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification(s) and/or Minimum Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. In doing so your application will be dispositioned as INCOMPLETE and will not be accepted.

Comments such as "SEE RESUME" or "SEE APPLICATION" will not be considered a valid response; therefore, using such statements will also result in your application being rejected as INCOMPLETE.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:

For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Check the website for updated information at https://lacountylibrary.org.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

DO NOT SHARE USER ID AND PASSWORD:

All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the in equalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYER:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment . The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law. All positions are open to qualified men and women pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. The County will follow all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants.

Department Contact Name: Exam Analyst

Department Contact E-mail: HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov

Exam Number: PH5776E

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

ADA Coordinator Phone: (323) 659-6546

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077

For detailed information, please click here

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• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

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