Senior Health Physicist

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: Senior Health Physicist 
Job Title: Health Physicist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Radiation 
Posting Number: 8440 
Closing Date: 10/28/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24 
Salary Range: $5,425.32 - $8,886.16 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,61DX,72A,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

Leads projects and activities of the Radioactive Materials Licensing Program. Performs highly advanced (senior-level) health physics and radiation control (radiological health) work to evaluate proposed equipment, facilities, procedures, and personnel for adequacy to minimize danger to public health and safety or the environment. Work includes planning, developing, and leading project teams involved in licensing radioactive material use; and coordinating special environmental projects in the areas of radiological health physics. Performs highly advanced radiological health physics work to evaluate proposed equipment, facilities, procedures, and personnel for adequacy to minimize danger to public health and safety or the environment. Plans, assigns, and/or leads the work of others. Works with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions

EJF1. Plans, develops, trains, and leads staff in the review and evaluation of equipment, facilities, procedures, and personnel for adequacy to minimize danger to public health and safety or the environment. Ensures radiation safety procedures are adequate for radiation safety to employees and the public for medical, industrial, and academic uses of radioactive material. Ensures radioactive material applications and licenses meet the applicable rules, regulations, technical, and safety requirements. Provides quality assurance reviews of licenses generated by others for signature.

EJF2. Performs and coordinates independent scientific and technical review of highly advanced, technical requests for uses of radioactive material. Performs and coordinates independent scientific and technical review and production of draft licenses for new license applications, license renewals and major license amendments; performs independent and scientific review of highly technical engineering plans; and participates in enforcement actions as independent technical reviewer for uses medical, industrial, and academic uses of radioactive material. Performs independent scientific and technical review and evaluation of highly technical licensing requests. The requests may include radiological health and safety analysis, review of highly technical engineering plans, involves a high degree of independent judgement, and sealed source and device reviews.

EJF3. Provides technical information to applicants, licensees, the public, and staff. Explains radiation safety, Department requirements, and licensing policies verbally and in writing to applicants and licensees. Communicates with licensees, supervisors, and other applicants. Provides understandable information to members of the public regarding radiation safety matters and Department policies. Conducts seminars or briefings to staff or other agencies on new uses of radioactive material or highly advanced licensing actions.

EJF4. Serves as team leader or member on other Radiation Section project teams. Performs other duties as assigned to meet goals and objectives of the Radioactive Material Licensing Branch, Radiation Section, and the Consumer Protection Division. Serves as project team lead or member in the review, evaluation, and production of regulatory guides, policies, and rules. Reviews and provides written comments on guides, policies, and rules based on correct technical criteria. Drafts and revises guidance documents which adequately address radiation safety issues.

EJF5. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation including nuclear emergency response drills, exercises, and actual response to accidents. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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,

Regulatory procedures of licensing programs,

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

Ability to:

Make independent and sound technical judgments,

Interpret and use engineering drawings and technical data,

Interpret and use scientific and radiological data,

Use Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel  

Interpret and use radiation shielding designs and radiological and statistical data,

Interpret laws and regulations,

Apply health physics and other scientific principles,

Detect and evaluate radiation and public health hazards,

Communicate effectively,

Train others

Registration, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

None

Initial Screening Criteria

The hiring supervisor cannot consider any applicant that does not meet both criterion #1 and #2 for this position.

Required Criteria:

(1) Applicant has a bachelor's degree with at least one years’ experience working with, or regulating the usage of, ionizing radiation; experience and education may be substituted for one another (6 months’ experience = 15 semester hours), and 

(2) One or more of the following preferred criteria:

- Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math academic discipline

- Experience writing reports or organizing, preparing, and presenting information in written or verbal format.

- Experience with state or federal laws, regulations/rules, and directives.

- Experience in a regulatory or quality control position requiring direct contact with the public.

- Experience communicating with the public.

- Hands-on experience using ionizing radiation.

- Experience in setting up and maintaining radiation safety programs

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, contact information, 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. HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

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.

9. All reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position.

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