Environmental Scientist (Health Physicist)
Salary: $25.27 - $52.56 Hourly
Location : Salt Lake County, UT
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 46345
Agency: 480 Department of Environmental Quality
Unit: 6211 DEQ EQ Restricted Fund
Opening Date: 09/12/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Recruiter: Coral Ortega | [click to reveal email address]
# of Openings: 1
Location: 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah
Schedule Code: B - Competitive Career Service - Employment in this position requires a probationary period.
Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package. See benefits tab below for details.
EEO Statement: The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.
Job Description
The Department of Environmental Quality is looking to fill an Environmental Scientist position in the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control. This position may be filled at any of the advertised levels listed below. Salary depends on experience and the job level offered within the series.
Job Description
- Evaluate requests to license radioactive materials in the State of Utah in a way that protects human health, safety, and the environment in accordance with the applicable laws.
- Inspect radioactive material licensees for compliance with applicable laws and license conditions.
- Actively solve problems in a professional, responsive, and fair manner that is supported by science and the law.
- Effectively communicate and professionally engage with a variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to colleagues in the Division, Division leadership, State and Federal Government employees, regulated entities, and the public.
Best Qualified Candidate
The best qualified candidate will have the following competencies:
- Working knowledge of nuclear physics and knowledge of associated terms, including modes of decay and interactions of both penetrating and non-penetrating radiation.
- Experience and/or education dealing with radioactive materials.
- Knowledge of biological effects of radioactive material and associated internal dosimetry.
- Ability to perform calculations pertaining to radiation dose, shielding and risk analysis associated with operating procedures.
- Knowledge of operation and calibration parameters of radiation detection instrumentation for both penetrating and non-penetrating radiation including knowledge of analytical instrumentation and procedures.
- Familiarity with the operation and control features of equipment containing radioactive materials, medical terms and technology associated with production, use and security of radiation.
- Ability to store, handle and transport sources of radioactive material in a safe manner.
- Knowledge of radioactive waste management techniques and regulations.
- Knowledge of the design and function of sealed sources and devices containing radioactive material.
- Ability to thoroughly assess the potential impact of facility design and operating procedures on people and the environment for industrial, academic and medical facilities.
- Knowledge of principles, practices and administration of radiation safety programs including systems, processes and the application of statutes, rules and standards governing such programs.
- Knowledge of the Utah Radiation Control rules and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations and guides.
- Strong communication skills and ability to communicate scientific and technical information both orally and in writing to a broad range of audiences.
Preferences
- A bachelor's degree or higher in health physics, physics, chemistry, geology, hydrology, engineering, or a closely related field. Certified by the American Academy of Heath Physics as a Certified Health Physicist, Registered with the National Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
- Or certified by the American Academy of Health Physics as a Certified Health Physicist.
- Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and paid professional employment directly related to the above tasks.
Job Series
The selected candidate for this position may be brought in as an Environmental Scientist I with a salary range of $25.27 - $37.95, an Environmental Scientist II with a salary range of $29.73 - $44.66 per hour, or an Environmental Scientist III with a salary range of $34.98 - $52.56 per hour.
Work Location
This position may be eligible for a hybrid of both in-office/hybrid work schedule (2 days a week required in office and any mandatory in office meetings) and remote work days (work must be performed in Utah). Our office is located at 195 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. A position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason. Note: Under Administrative Rule R13-4 all work must be performed within the State of Utah. As such employees should either reside in Utah or be in the process of relocating to within 30 days of their start date.
Why You Should Join Our Team
As a benefited employee of the State of Utah, you will receive great health and retirement benefits.to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance.
- Health Insurance - Public Employee Health Program (PEHP):
- 3 medical plan options. Choose a Traditional or High Deductible Health Plan. (There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other medical insurance coverage)
- 5 dental plan options (There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other dental insurance coverage)
- 2 vision plan options under EyeMed
- Retirement - Utah Retirement Systems (URS):
- Paid Time Off:
- Annual leave and sick leave are accrued at 4 hours per pay period each (4 hours annual, 4 hours sick).
- Annual leave increases with years of service.
- There are also 12 paid holidays.
The Agency
For more information about the Department of Environmental Quality and the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control
Supplemental Information
- Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
- Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
Benefits:
The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for a detailed information page: To access a Total Compensation Calculator in Excel format click
FMLA General Notice:
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01
All your responses to this application must be supported by your work history. "See Resume or Work History" is not an acceptable answer for any question. Failure to include your complete work history in your profile will result in disqualification from further consideration. Do you understand these terms?
- Yes
- No
02
The Department of Environmental Quality Code of Conduct states: "State of Utah employees shall be deemed ineligible for promotions, transfers, or job changes from another state agency or within the department if in the six (6) months prior to applying they have been on a performance improvement plan or have received a corrective or disciplinary action, including written warnings, for any reason."Have you been on a performance improvement plan or received corrective or disciplinary action, including written warnings, within the last six months?
- Yes
- No
03
Are you a Certified Health Physicist?
- Yes
- No
04
If yes, please provide when you passed both the Part I and Part II of the exam and your certification number.
05
How many years of paid professional experience do you have directly related to this position? (Note: 12 months equals 1 year of experience. College educational experience in a related field of study can substitute for work preferences.)
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 3 to 4 years
- 5 years or more
06
Describe in detail your work experience or knowledge gained through education or other means as it relates to this position. This description must support the selection made above and be consistent with your resume. Please list degrees, courses, any special certificates or professional licenses and other professional training that qualifies you for this position.
07
Please list any NRC Sponsored or Agreement State Training Courses you have taken.
08
Do you have any experience with compliance inspections and regulatory enforcement? If so, briefly describe.
09
Do you have any experience reviewing and completing radioactive material licensing actions? If so, briefly describe.
10
Rate your level of experience with radiation safety practices and standards, familiarity with radiological equipment and surveys, and knowledge of 10 CFR 20 and Utah Administrative Code R313-15.
- No experience
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
11
How many years of related work experience do you have in government regulatory programs or otherwise that required compliance with Federal and State environmental laws, rules, regulations, or procedures?
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 to 2 years
- 3 to 4 years
- 5 years or more
12
Describe your experience related to government regulatory programs or otherwise that required compliance with Federal and State environmental laws, rules, regulations, or procedures.
13
Please indicate how you heard about this specific job posting.
- State of Utah job site ([click to reveal website link])
- Referred by a Friend or Family
- Indeed
- Other External Job Board or Site
- Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- DWS job website ([click to reveal website link])
- Advertisement (Digital Ad, Billboard, Print, etc.)
- Professional Network (Association, Membership, Work Colleague)
- University Network (Handshake, School Job Board, Career Center, etc.)
- Contacted by a Recruiter
- Career or Job Fair
- Internship
- Interviewed for different position
- Internal communications (Agency/Division, etc.)
- Other (not listed above)
Required Question