Environmental Monitoring Branch Manager

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Environmental Monitoring Branch Manager 
Job Title: Manager IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Radiation 
Posting Number: 7451 
Closing Date: 08/06/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location: El Paso State Supported Living Center 
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 0203,0207,0302,0370,0520,0602,0802,1802,1803,2340,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,7502,8005,8858 
9702,16GX,3D0X1,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,BOSN,ELC,ISS,MAT,MED,MLES,MSSD 
MSSE,MSSR,OSS,WEPS 
 

  Brief Job Description:

Under the direction of the Radiation Section Director, the manager performs highly-advanced, complex senior-level managerial work managing the daily operations and functions of the Radiation Environmental Monitoring Branch. Manages, plans, and coordinates the performance of statewide programs. Provides technical expertise, oversight, and direction to staff and functions.

The position sets goals for staff, establishes priorities, plans, assigns, supervises their work, and is responsible for performance measures and outcomes. Responsible for employing appropriate organizational and management skills to develop policies, procedures, guidelines, schedules, and standards for staff and operations. Work involves evaluating resources, developing guidelines, and evaluating business functions and procedures for the branch’s programs. Identifies areas of process improvement and implements change. Prepares or approves responses to legislative requests and public inquiries. Will contribute to the development of department administrative rules.

The manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the branch's program-related projects and initiatives. Represents the respective envirnonmental monitoring programs in meetings. Work involves collaborating as needed with division executives, section directors, vendors/contractors, and external stakeholders—works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJF):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule following agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

EJF 1: 30 % Performs highly advanced and managerial health physics (senior level) oversight work related to incident/complaint investigations to develop, draft, and implement new and changed policies. The managerial work encompasses radioactive materials, x-ray imaging, mammography, and non-ionizing radiation.  Plans, assigns, supervises, and coordinates with project team leaders to develop emergency planning and incident/complaint investigations, and drafts and implements new and revised policies.  Oversees and coordinates emergency planning and incident response to assure compliance with federal and state regulations and policies for radiological emergency response and highly complex investigations of radiological events. Plans necessary tasks, identifies objectives, and ensures a shared vision for ongoing and special projects. Plans, assigns, supervises, and coordinates major projects with staff from other teams within the Radiation Program, the Department, other state and federal agencies, and with representatives from industry, medical, and academic institutions. Reviews highly advanced technical and administrative documents for comment and leads project teams to provide and draft comment language for the Section Director or Deputy Commissioner’s signature. Participates in the radiological emergency response team. Provides radiation dose assessment and highly advanced technical advice or direction to other response team members.  Maintains knowledge of laws, rules, and policies governing the Department’s activities.   

EJF 2: (20%) Develops and provides technical guidance on guidelines, rules, policies, and procedures based on health physics knowledge, radiation control functions, and statutory authority. Provides guidance to staff on draft radiation investigation procedures and radiological emergency response plans. Provides guidance to staff on draft radiation investigation procedures and radiological emergency response plans.  Develops policies for incident/complaint investigation and emergency response planning activities.  Oversees advanced and complex reviews of highly technical draft reports from other project teams within the Section and other state and federal agencies.  Researches highly advanced technical documents relating to the dispersion of radioactive contaminants in soil, air, and water.  Researches documents relating to radiation doses from exposure to internal and external sources of radiation.  Researches state and federal regulations concerning control of radioactivity and documents relating to physical and chemical characteristics of radioactive isotopes.  Review draft procedural documents to ensure that Branch and Section policies are met.  Performs highly advanced technical evaluations of the Section’s radiological incident data to report results and provide technical justification for recommendations.

EJF 3: 15% Coordinates, manages and provides oversight for highly advanced and comprehensive scientific and technical review of radiation safety plans and procedures.  Oversees and coordinates emergency planning and incident response to assure compliance with federal and state regulations and policies for radiological emergency response and highly complex investigations of radiological events. Manages the development of plans, procedures, emergency exercises, and policies for emergency preparedness and incident investigation programs.

EJF 4: 15 % Provides oversight of radiological investigations to assure comprehensive scientific and technical review of safety plans, operations and facilities using radioactive materials are conducting activities in compliance with regulatory requirements.  Directs project teams from incident and complaint investigations, emergency response planning, and other Branch teams in development. Assign team members to various project teams to ensure that resources are utilized to maximum benefit. Oversees the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of programs within the Environmental Monitoring Branch.  Coordinates development of goals and objectives with the project team leaders and the Section Director.  Manages and coordinates Incident Investigation and Emergency Response Planning Program activities. 

EJF 5 (10%) Consults and coordinates with representatives of other state and federal radiation control, security and emergency agencies, special interest groups, and the public or department personnel on radiation and environmental issues. Represents the agency regarding radiation control issues.  Attends meetings with Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy to discuss emergency response issues, coordinate emergency plans, and conduct joint incident investigations.

EJF 6: (10 %)Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment or location. Performs Emergency Response functions during exercise and actual emergency conditions. Maintains personal and assigned equipment ready for emergency response/deployment. Participates as a lead worker or member of the Department’s and Radiation Emergency Response Team during exercise and actual emergency responses. Coordinates training through the radiation control program's training coordinator, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and approved training courses to maintain required proficiency for assigned emergency response duties.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of

Radiation control, radiological health, and radiation safety practices and techniques, 

Health physics, physical science, radioactive materials, radiation, and mathematics, 

Radiation detection, measurement, control and environmental monitoring equipment,

Information sources for radiation control, health physics, and environmental surveillance, 

Federal and State laws and regulations,

Radiation control program operations 

Skill in

Reading, analyzing, and interpreting complex applications, regulations, and regulatory requirements, 

Written and oral communication of technical material, 

Communicating technical information at an appropriate level

Managing multiple and competing priorities

Leadership, communication and public speaking

Ability to

Make independent and sound technical judgments,

Interpret and use scientific and radiological data,

Use Microsoft Office programs at a level commensurate with a business office and technical environment

Interpret laws and regulations,

Apply health physics and other scientific principles,

Communicate effectively,

Train others

review business processes/functions, and utilize the information to ensure resources are appropriately allocated.

develop, implement, communicate, and lead an organizational vision implement and use new technology and work processes to enhance decision making plan, assign and/or supervise the work of others.

build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships

Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in health physics, nuclear or environmental engineering, environmental or natural sciences, chemistry, or a related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.  Six months of experience equals 15 education credit hours.  Must be able to travel 20% of the time.

Preferred Criteria:

The following criteria are generally preferred but are not required; the hiring supervisor may consider any applicant that does not meet any or all the generally preferred criteria for this position, and may give preference to an applicant that meets one or more of the generally preferred criteria:

5 years experience in health physics, radiation sciences, or nuclear engineering work

5 years of experience working with state radioactive material regulations, environmental planning or emergency response.  

Additional Information:
1. Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application may be disqualified.

2. PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, specific reason for leaving, and a summary of experience that demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification.

3. RESUMES DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO ENTER ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION (“See Resume” is not acceptable on the application). Resumes attached and/or pasted into the resume field may not be considered equivalent to the State Application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

4. This position is eligible for telework, which will be determined by agency and division telework policies. The employee will be required to come into the office, as directed, to fulfill essential job functions. DSHS will provide computer, related equipment, and basic office supplies. If teleworking, selected applicants must have a home office location free from distraction, the ability to provide personal home internet service, and the ability to ensure confidentiality in the workplace.

5. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work extended hours.

6. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

7. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHS Human Resources Manual. Internal applicants are encouraged to check the HR manual for any potential changes to their current salary.

8. Consideration will also be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form