The Department of the Air Force is actively seeking talented Health Physicists (Series 1306) through this ongoing Direct Hire announcement!
This public notice is designed to build a pool of qualified candidates for current and future vacancies across numerous Air Force installations throughout the United States. If you’re a qualified professional in health physics, environmental science, or radiological protection, this could be your gateway to a rewarding career protecting national defense assets while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Why Choose a Health Physicist Role in the Air Force?
Health Physicists play a critical role in maintaining radiation safety, environmental compliance, and operational readiness. You’ll use your expertise to prevent unwarranted exposure to ionizing radiation, support mission-critical programs, and contribute to the safety of military personnel, contractors, and surrounding communities.
Key highlights of these positions:
- Salary Range: $74,678 – $192,331 per year (depending on grade level GS-11 through GS-15 and location)
- Pay Scale & Grade: GS-11 to GS-15
- Work Schedule: Full-time
- Appointment Type: Multiple (Permanent, Term, or other depending on position)
- Open Period: December 23, 2025 – December 22, 2026 (applications accepted year-round)
- Announcement Number: AFPC-STEMDHA-12857811-1306
These roles are perfect for professionals who want to advance in federal STEM careers with excellent benefits, potential relocation support (PCS), and opportunities for professional growth.
What Does a Health Physicist Do in the U.S. Air Force?
Duties vary by grade level but focus on executing radiation protection programs, ensuring compliance, and providing expert guidance. You’ll:
- Manage and execute environmental health physics programs (in-house and via contracts) to meet federal, state, and local regulations
- Offer advisory services on radiation-related challenges, projects, and compliance issues
- Enforce health, safety, and environmental procedures while enhancing workplace security
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee programs using advanced knowledge of health physics, radiological science, and environmental engineering
- Conduct radiological surveys, sampling, and analysis
- Develop training programs, review licensing actions, revise policies, and investigate radiation contamination incidents
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams including scientists, engineers, regulators, and community stakeholders
- Track radiation hazards in occupational health databases and determine safe disposal methods
Higher-grade positions (GS-13 to GS-15) involve expert-level responsibilities like supervising licensing, developing strategic approaches to identify health impacts, and providing technical leadership across all health physics domains.
Who Should Apply? Qualification Requirements
To qualify, you must meet the basic education requirement AND specialized experience for your desired grade level.
Basic Requirement (one of the following):
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in natural science or engineering, including at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus
- OR Combination of relevant education + experience (or certification by the American Board of Health Physics) equivalent to the above
Specialized Experience (examples by grade):
- GS-11: 1 year at GS-09 level – Performing health physics or related duties using standard practices
- GS-12: 1 year at GS-11 level – Ensuring lab radiochemistry compliance, developing training programs
- GS-13: 1 year at GS-12 level – Serving as technical expert on radiological effects, collaborating on projects
- GS-14: 1 year at GS-13 level – Providing broad expertise, supervising licensing, revising radiation policies
- GS-15: 1 year at GS-14 level – Developing approaches to assess health impacts, offering expert direction in health physics
Strong knowledge of health physics principles, federal regulations, interdisciplinary teamwork, communication skills, and problem-solving in radiation scenarios is essential.
U.S. citizenship is required, and some positions may involve security clearance, drug testing, or shift work.
Locations – Opportunities Across the Country!
Vacancies exist at numerous Air Force bases, including:
- Alaska (Eielson AFB, Elmendorf AFB)
- California (Edwards AFB, Travis AFB, Vandenberg AFB)
- Colorado (Air Force Academy, Peterson AFB)
- Florida (Eglin AFB, MacDill AFB)
- Texas (Dyess AFB, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB)
- Virginia (Pentagon, Langley AFB)
- And many more across states like Arizona, Hawaii, Ohio, Utah, Washington, and beyond!
Ready to Protect People and the Environment? Apply Today!
This Direct Hire opportunity allows the Air Force to fill critical Health Physicist positions quickly. Submit your application via USAJOBS, including your resume (limited to 2 pages), transcripts, and any required documents.
Don’t miss your chance to join a mission-driven team advancing radiation safety in national defense!
Apply now through the official USAJOBS announcement: https://healthphysics.usajobs.gov/job/853118900