Medical and Academic Licensing Senior Health Physicist

The Radiologic Health Branch (RHB) is within the Division of Radiation Safety & Environmental Management of the California Department of Public Health. The Branch enforces the laws and regulations designed to protect the public, radiation workers, and the environment. RHB is responsible for providing public health functions associated with administering a radiation control program. This includes licensing of radioactive materials, registration of X-ray-producing machines, certification of medical and industrial X-ray and radioactive material users, inspection of facilities using radiation, investigation of radiation incidents, and surveillance of radioactive contamination in the environment.

Job Description and Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing a statewide licensing program for the safe use of radioactive materials including for, but not limited to, medical and academic uses.

The Senior Health Physicist (Sr. HP) serves as the first-line supervisor for a team of HPs responsible for the licensing, inspection, and regulatory oversight of radioactive materials in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations (17 CCR). The Sr. HP provides technical leadership and direction in applying advanced health physics principles and regulatory standards to protect workers, the public, and the environment.

The Sr. HP assigns and monitors work, reviews and approves licensing actions based on technical evaluations and staff recommendations, and ensures alignment with departmental policies and regulations. The Sr. HP conducts performance evaluations, mentors staff, supports professional development, and leads initiatives to enhance program efficiency and regulatory effectiveness. The Sr. HP acts as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders, contributes to strategic planning efforts, and ensures unit preparedness for audits and reviews by external parties.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Supervising Health Physicist, Radioactive Materials Licensing (RML) Section Chief, in the RML Section.

If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Search/ExamSearchResults.aspx#classid=1463

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Certification by the American Board of Health Physics in Health Physics or by the American Board of Medical Physics in Medical Health Physics or
2. 4 Years of professional operational health physics experience exercising independent judgement in any of the following:
3. Establishment and/or evaluation of a radiation protection program
4. Design and/or the evaluation of the design of the radiation protection aspects of a facility
5. Design and implementation of a radiation protection training course or program
6. Development of an experimental and/or measurement program designed to answer questions related to radiation protection.
7. Evaluation of measurement data
8. Analysis and solutions to radiation protection problems
9. Preparation, interpretation and implementation of recommendations and regulations or
10. Graduation from a college or university (Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degree) with a major in Health Physics, Medical Physics, Nuclear Engineering.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=3802

***Will also consider Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU) appointments- Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications for the classification but do not currently have eligibility on an employment certification list by having taken and passed an examination may apply as a TAU. TAU appointments are limited to a duration of 9 months within a 12 consecutive month period. In order for a TAU appointment to become permanent, individuals must take and pass the related examination, and thereby become eligible from a certification list, within 9 months of TAU appointment. Individuals who successfully obtain eligibility prior to the expiration of the TAU appointment will not be required to re-compete in a competitive process for permanent appointment to that position.***

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. 

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=525698

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At CDPH, equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do. The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

Connections working at California Department of Public Health