RE: Open health physics position at NYSDEC

["Jim F. Herrold" <Herrold@UWYO.EDU>]

Ray and other RADSAFERs:

I can't speak for the State of New York, but let me fill you in on how
salaries are apparently computed at other state institutions. Human
Resources departments don't want to be confused by facts (such as what
positions pay out in the real world). They want to simplify their lives by
grouping together what they think are "similar" job titles. If you're a
"manager" it doesn't matter if you manage Food Service, Custodial Services
or Environmental Health. They just look at how many bosses you have above
you and how many subordinates below you. Then they stick you in a pay range.
All "Safety Officers" (Radiation, Biological, Industrial Hygiene) are
similarly lumped together. It doesn't matter if one of those positions
requires certification and specific approval by Federal Regulators while the
other ones don't. State agencies are the training ground for the real world.
They are not the place to set up a life-long career right now.

How do I know? I too am making $36k/year. Why do I put up with it? Money
isn't everything. I happen to like Laramie, Wyoming (despite the fact that
hate-mongers are apparently nailing people to trees right and left, if you
believe the national press). Will I put up with it forever? Probably not. I
just happen to know of a few qualified Health Physicists in the Rocky
Mountain area who are looking for a full-time, secure job right now.

We are in the process of interviewing for a Hazardous Waste Specialist
position, which pays in the appallingly low $20k range. We have at least
three candidates so far who are willing to take significant pay cuts to work
here (or so they say). It's a sign of the times.

Why would someone move to New York for $36 k? I don't know. Ask someone from
New York.

Obviously, these are my opinions alone and do not reflect those of the
University of Wyoming, State of Wyoming or the Associated Press.

Jim Herrold
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Wyoming

herrold@uwyo.edu


> ----------
> From: 	Ray Russ[SMTP:rruss@stanford.edu]
> Sent: 	Wednesday, October 28, 1998 11:00 AM
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: 	Re: Open health physics position at NYSDEC
> 
> >The New York State Department Of
> >Environmental Conservation has an opening for
> >an Environmental Radiation Specialist 1 in Albany,
> >New York.  The appointment will be provisional,
> >pending the administration of a civil service exam
> >to be given in 1999.  Principal duties of the
> >position will be  monitoring of the federal
> >government's activities under the Formerly
> >Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program.  NYS
> >driver's license (or equivalent) is required.
> >Appointee may be required to wear a respirator
> >
> >Salary: $35,945
> 
> This is a joke right? $36k/yr?
> 
> R. Russ
> 
> 
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