Radiation Safety Officer (Administrative Services Specialist III)

Job Description: Radiation Safety Officer

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) serves as the university's senior technical expert and primary authority on radiation safety and radiological control. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving a comprehensive radiation safety program that ensures the safe procurement, use, storage, control, and disposal of radioactive materials, x-ray producing equipment, lasers (Class 3B/4) and other non-ionizing radiation sources.

The RSO provides specialized expertise in health physics and radiological protection to maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and to safeguard the health of faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The position oversees the implementation of the university's Radioactive Materials License(s) as issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and serves as the technical liaison with regulatory authorities.

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), the RSO leads all aspects of the university's radiation protection programs, serves as an ex-officio member and technical advisor to the Radiation Safety Committee, and supports research and operational excellence through proactive risk management and continuous program advancement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• This position requires training and experience reviewed and approved by the TDEC Division of Radiological Health, to serve as the Radiation Safety Officer for the university's impending Radioactive Material Broad Scope License.
• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution in health physics, Nuclear Engineering, Medical Physics, Physics, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive health physics experience, including at least 4 years managing a broad-scope radioactive materials license and radiation safety programs.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable federal and state radiation safety regulations.
• Demonstrated expertise in radioactive materials, x-ray, laser, and non-ionizing radiation safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree or Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Health Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Medical Physics, or related field.
• Certification by the American Board of Health Physics (CHP) preferred; ability to complete Part II within one year of hire required if not certified.
• Previous designation and approval as an RSO under a broad-scope license at a major research university or hospital.
• Experience in laser safety, hazardous materials transportation, and environmental compliance.
• Proficiency with radiation safety management systems and EHS technical databases.

Essential Functions:

### Radiation Safety Program Leadership

• Design, implement, and manage the university-wide radiation safety program for radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment in accordance with state and federal regulations, TDEC license conditions, and university policies.
• Act as the primary contact for regulatory inspections and coordinate corrective actions as required.

### Program Development and Oversight

• Develop and maintain comprehensive radiation protection programs, including those for radioactive materials, x-ray devices, lasers (Class 3B/4), and other non-ionizing radiation sources.
• Continuously evaluate and audit program performance and implement improvements to ensure operational excellence and compliance.

### Regulatory Compliance and Licensing

• Serve as the technical authority for the university's radioactive material license(s) and ensure compliance with all conditions of the TDEC issued broad-scope license.
• Prepare and submit license amendments, renewals, and regulatory reports.
• Manage state registrations for x-ray and laser-producing devices and ensure ongoing compliance.

### Radiation Safety Committee Administration

• Serve as an ex-officio member and principal technical advisor to the Radiation Safety Committee and subcommittees.
• Enforce policies and procedures mandated by the committee, review research protocols involving radioactive materials or radiation-producing devices, and ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.

### Dosimetry, ALARA, and Exposure Management

• Manage the personnel dosimetry program, establish exposure limits and investigation levels, and implement the university's ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) policy.
• Review exposure reports, investigate exceedances, and provide detailed documentation of findings and corrective actions.

### Declared Pregnant Worker (DPW) Program

• Administer the DPW program, provide counseling and individualized monitoring for declared pregnant workers, and ensure radiation exposures to the embryo/fetus remain within regulatory limits.
• Collaborate with occupational health staff to support worker health and compliance.

### Radioactive Material Inventory and Control

• Oversee the procurement, receipt, distribution, and tracking of all radioactive materials.
• Maintain accurate inventory records, reconcile laboratory inventories, and ensure compliance with license possession limits.
• Manage the sealed source and leak test programs and maintain associated documentation.

### Radioactive Waste Management

• Direct all activities related to radioactive waste handling, including segregation, packaging, decay-in-storage, and offsite disposal in compliance with DOT, NRC, and TDEC requirements.
• Maintain comprehensive waste records and ensure proper documentation for all shipments.

### Laboratory Surveys and Decommissioning

• Conduct or oversee routine contamination and dose rate surveys, laboratory inspections, and decommissioning of radioactive material use areas.
• Ensure records of surveys, calibrations, and instrument performance are maintained in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements.

### Instrumentation and Calibration Program

• Manage the calibration, maintenance, and performance verification of radiation detection instruments.
• Develop standard operating procedures for calibration and ensure compliance with license and registration requirements.

### Shielding Design and Evaluation Program

• Review and design structural shielding for radioactive material use areas and installations of accelerators and x-ray equipment.
• Provide shielding design reports to the state of TN for review and approval.

### Radiological Effluent and Environmental Monitoring

• Develop and implement monitoring programs to evaluate releases of radioactive materials to air and sanitary sewer systems.
• Ensure that all discharges remain within permissible limits and that results are documented and reported as required.

### Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Serve as the lead responder for radiological and laser incidents.
• Coordinate incident response, decontamination, and corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain emergency response plans in coordination with campus emergency management.

### Training and Consultation

• Develop and deliver training for faculty, staff, and students on radiation safety, laser safety, and hazardous materials transport.
• Provide consultation and technical support for research proposals, experiment design, and facility modifications involving radiation sources.

Physical Demands:

• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and push or pull up to 250 pounds with appropriate tools or material handling equipment.
• Must be able to assist in moving full 55-gallon drums weighing over 500 pounds, and other sized containers of hazardous materials.

Work Hours:

• Typical hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Additional hours if/when needed.

Special Instructions:

• Applicants are required to electronically upload a cover letter, resume, copy of transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire), and complete contact information for three references.
• References will be contacted at a later date. Submission of materials is the applicants responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

Salary:

• Commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits Information:

• The University offers a competitive benefits package.
• Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month and one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays.
• Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.