TITLE:                 Health Physicist 1

LOCATION:         Everett, WA, USA

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington with a laboratory in Everett, WA. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Health Physicist 1

The Health Physicist 1 is a junior health physicist position that provides support to the TerraPower Radiation Safety Officer and performs day-to-day functions of the Radiation Safety Program.

Responsibilities:

• Administer various programs of the Radiation Safety Program i.e. dosimetry, waste, emissions, bioassay, radiation generating equipment, air sampling, shipping, training, etc.

• Review usage of radiological instrumentation for proper application.

• Review and assist the RSO in establishing dose limits and ALARA controls.

• Ability to apply principles and practices of health physics.

• Analyze data – qualitative and quantitative.

• Review and provide professional judgement for radiation and radioactive material hazards.

• Perform contamination and exposure rate surveys.

• Perform routine inspections of laboratory and radiological conditions.

• Deploy and collect airborne monitoring equipment and filters.

• Provide operational radiation safety support and serve as points of contact for TerraPower radiation workers.

• Ensure TerraPower radiological activities are complaint with TerraPower policies.

• Provide daily operational/laboratory support to ensure appropriate instruments and equipment are functional and adequate to support TerraPower operations.

• Review, survey, and complete shipments of Class 7 Radioactive Material including receipt inspections.

• Purchase, maintain, and calibrate radiological instruments.

• Assist in maintaining inventory and supplies of health physics materials and equipment.

• Perform and direct decontamination as necessary.

• Effectively communicate radiation protection requirements to personnel.

• Provide radiation safety training and instrumentation training to TerraPower radiation workers.

• Follow, review, and update standard operating procedures.

• Observe work practices for ALARA practices and implementation of controls.

• Perform other tasks and duties as specified by the TerraPower Radiation Safety Officer.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• B.S. degree in Radiation Protection, Radiological/Health Science, or a related technical discipline is desired. Or a high school diploma with 8 years’ experience in a health physics technician position.  Or an associate degree with 4 years’ experience in a health physics technician position.  Or Navy ELT veteran with an additional 4 years’ experience in a health physics technician position. Or equivalent training and experience.

• NRRPT certification is a plus.

• Experience in planning, overseeing, and reviewing radiological work within radiation areas and contamination areas preferred.

• Experience using radiation detection instrumentation: swipe counters, ion chamber, GM meters, gamma counters, and gamma spectroscopy systems.

• Experience performing radiation contamination and exposure rate surveys.

• Must be able to perform physical tasks with and without respiratory protection.

• Must be able to wear PPE, personal dosimeter, and respirator.

• Ability to work a modified schedule and overtime as workload and project schedules dictate.

• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly, and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

• Military experience is a plus.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interface effectively with employees, management, and regulators as required.

• Must be flexible and able to quickly adjust to new or changing projects/tasks and schedules.

• Ability to function independently, demonstrating self-motivation and initiative is preferred.

Job Functions

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.  These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting and standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).

• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds and ability to climb ladders up to 50 feet.

• Repetitive work: Prolonged.

• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work and ability to perform role in personal protective equipment.

• Work Conditions: Laboratory, warehouse, stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day.

• Working with chemical and radiological hazards on benchtops, in fume hoods, in glove boxes, and in hot cells.

• Alternative schedules, weekend work, shift work and overnight work is possible.

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval.  

Job Details

Salary Range Level 9:  $95,415 - $143,122

*Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary bands.  Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation

• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments

• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits Medical

o Vision

o Dental

o Life

o Life and Disability

o Gender Affirmation Benefits

o Parental Leave

• 401k Plan

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)

o 21 days of annually accrued PTO

• Generous Holiday Schedule

o 10 paid holidays

• Relocation Assistance

• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities

• Flexible Work Schedule

TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/