SENIOR RADIATION PROTECTION SPECIALIST

• Performs routine and non-routine inspections or investigations on X-ray tubes at hospitals, clinics, mammography facilities, dental and other medical facilities at specified intervals including the most complicated types of high energy devices such as medical therapy linear accelerators; acts as lead-person for the Radiation Protection Specialist.
• Reviews plans and specifications of proposed X-ray or radioactive materials installations, including radiation therapy machines and Positron Emission Tomography Scanners, and performs complex calculations to determine shielding design accuracy.
• Uses a variety of radiation measuring instruments, test equipment, phantoms, and computers, following established procedures, to determine compliance with Federal, State, and County laws and regulations, and radiation safety practices.
• Measures the adequacy of shielding in walls using radiation detection instruments.
• Prepares written reports of inspection findings, including letters and Notices of Violations to users; follows-up on violations to ensure timely and appropriate corrective action; prepares written reports and letters to applicants of shielding adequacies or deficiencies.
• Enforces State, Federal, and County laws regarding the manufacture, installation, and use of X-ray equipment located in medical, dental, industrial, research, and academic facilities; enforces the State's certification law regarding licentiates, technologists, and technicians who use X-ray equipment.
• Provides consultation and training to physicians, dentists, X-ray personnel, and the public on proper practices, procedures, safety, and legal requirements in the use of radiation producing equipment.
• Reviews reports of personnel monitoring exposures, investigates incidents of radiation exposure and complaints, and requires appropriate control measures.
• Trains Radiation Protection Specialists in all phases of inspection techniques and procedures, program policies, and interpretation of regulations.
• Oversees the radiation exposure monitoring program of Radiation Management staff.
• Responds to emergency situations involving radiation incidents.
• Completes special projects such as the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT) and Federal Compliance Tests.

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY: 
OPTION I: Possession of a valid certificate* in diagnostic or therapeutic radiologic technology or nuclear medicine technology issued by the California Department of  Public Health -OR - the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists - OR - Possession of a health physics technology certificate* from an accredited two-year program.Six (6) years of experience in a regulatory program conducting investigations and surveying the use of radiological equipment, providing advice on safe practices in radiation, and compliance with rules and regulations governing radiation use.

OPTION II:   A Bachelor's degree** from an accredited college or university with a major in radiologic health, radiologic science, radiologic technology, health physics, physics, engineering, mathematics, physical science, or a closely related field*** -AND- Three (3) years of professional experience**** in health physics or a closely related field.

OPTION III:   One (1) year of experience performing the duties of a Radiation Protection Specialist with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - Environmental Health.


LICENSE: 
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to use an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
 
PHYSICAL CLASS:
3 - 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.

*Please ensure the License and Certificate Section of the application is completed for the required certificates.  Provide the title of your required license and certifications, number, date of issue, date of expiration and the name of the issuing agency as specified in the Requirements on your application at the time of filing or e-mail the information to [email protected] within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing.

**To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to [email protected] within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing your application. Documents should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards and the evaluation is required to confirm eligibility for this recruitment. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:  https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf

• Official Transcript is a transcript that bears the college seal and states "official and/or copy" issued by the school's registrar office. A printout of the transcript from the school's website is NOT considered official and may result in your application being incomplete and rejected.

• We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

***Examples of closely related fields: Nuclear Engineering, Physics of Instrumentation, Geologic Science,  or Chemistry. 

****Professional experience in health physics: Experience gained in the field of radiation protection subsequent to receiving a bachelor's degree.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

Additional credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualification: 

• Additional experience beyond the Requirements to Qualify.

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This assessment type will evaluate the training, education, and experience you list on a questionnaire and assign a score based on a standardized scoring system.

This part of the assessment is worth 100% of your total score and assesses: Requirements and Desirable Qualification. 

Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the list.  

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

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION & VACANCY INFORMATION: 
Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the eligible list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Health as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:
Any, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. 

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

HOW TO APPLY:
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information on your application and any attachments will result in refusal of application, rescission of appointment, or restriction of application to future recruitments. 

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:

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

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. We are 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.

Department Contact Name: DPH Examinations & Recruitment Unit

Department Contact Phone: (213) 684-8726

Department Contact E-mail: [email protected]

Exam Number: PH5774F

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

ADA Coordinator Phone: (844) 914-1006

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone: (800) 897-0077