Radiation Safety Specialist 2 (Job 11047)
POSITION OBJECTIVE
This is a staff position within the Radiation Safety division of Environmental Health and Safety, which provides government mandated compliance oversight and radiation protection leadership for faculty, staff and students involved in laboratory research. The radiation safety specialist assumes programmatic responsibility for oversight, training compliance and tracking of high dose irradiator programs involving use of equipment containing highly radioactive source materials that entail compliance with special federally mandated procedures that are similar in scope to those required for work with select agents. This specialist is also required to effectively lead teams with a common goal of achieving excellence in radiation protection programs involving use of radioactive materials. The radiation specialist will perform, interpret, and develop radiation safety procedures required to prevent contamination following detection of radioactive contamination in radiological surveys of areas where radioactive materials are worked with and stored. This individual will document these surveys and follow up by ensuring compliance with recommendations made by the supervisor when unsafe practice during use of radioactive materials is observed. This individual will also be responsible for the decommissioning procedures required when authorized users relocate within or outside of the university. For this critical program, the radiation safety specialist will evaluate laboratory areas for radiation hazards by utilizing complex monitoring procedures and develop recommendations for remediation of any problems accruing from use of radioactive materials in specific laboratory spaces. This specialist will then complete, and audit necessary documentation and reports kept in mandated permanent files.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Evaluate laboratory areas for radiation hazards utilizing complex procedures, developing recommendations, and completing necessary reports. Perform independent complex and/or non-repetitive evaluations and inspections on the use, release, disposal and/or presence of ionizing radiation from radioactive material. Provide inspection/audit reports on compliance for supervisory review. Demonstrate and teach the proper use of instrumentation for detection of alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation. Develop instructional material and provide training of new Radiation Safety Office staff during their probationary period. (20%)
- Participate with federal, state, and local agencies in responding to a radiation emergency or exercise. Maintain advanced knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations as it applies to the university radiation safety program. Perform and coordinate laboratory decommissioning and special surveys. Conduct inspections, surveys, and related interactions with faculty and research staff in a professional manner. Effectively complete follow-up actions with faculty and research personnel. (20%)
- Review and identify potential safety hazards and recommend corrective action. Analyze survey reports from Liquid Scintillation/Gamma Spectroscopy. Keep abreast of all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Ohio Department of Health (ODH) regulations. Develop and maintain effective quality assurance programs that promote compliance with EPA, OSHA, ODH, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Recommend changes to the Safety Manuals and the Safety Policies. Recommend the development of ideas concerning radiological safety as it pertains to cost effectiveness, personnel utilization, and safety practices. (20%)
- Develop analyses and formulate recommendations for all aspects of the radiation safety program. Interpret federal and state rules and regulations to assure compliance. Conduct monthly audits of various areas in the department. Assume responsibility for direct oversight of all high dose irradiators at the university. Process applications for faculty/staff/students interested in gaining access to the high dose irradiators. (14%)
- Grant and terminate access to the irradiator rooms. Ensure that persons with irradiator access maintain their required training. Maintain and continuously audit the irradiator database and secured files for the High Dose Irradiator Safety program. Ensure all locations in which irradiators are housed are properly configured, monitored, and maintained. Ensure that all high dose irradiator security is maintained. Audit response of University Security by performing periodic response drills to all high dose irradiator-containing locations. (14%)
- Survey all radioactive packages that come on campus. Ensure that radiation safety records match package receipt and purchase orders. Provide follow up on packages transfer to ensure arrival of ordered or transferred materials occurs in a timely manner. Conduct monthly internal audits to verify that package data was entered into the database correctly. Assist labs with the decommissioning process. Clear equipment that is being moved/disposed. Decommission laboratories that are moving or are going Rad Inactive. (14%)
- Assume responsibility for tracking of the large number of low level radioactive sealed sources at the university. Supervise relocation/disposal of sealed sources on campus. Conduct a monthly internal audit to verify that all sealed sources have been inventoried in the past 6 months. Provide back-up for the radiation generating equipment program and its accompanying training at the university. Assist the Radioactive Materials Waste handling program by picking up radioactive waste from laboratories. Conduct monthly after-hours security checks of radioactive usage areas to ensure that the radioactive material is secure. Assist in environmental assessments prior to plant shutdowns and maintenance. (14%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- May be required to lead faculty, staff, students, volunteers, minors, and contractors during emergency response. (2%)
- Perform other duties as assigned. (2%)
CONTACTS
Department: This position directly works with all levels of management and staff in the department.
University: Regular contact with faculty, staff, regarding radiation safety.
University: Interact with Safety Services staff regarding chemical issues when both radiation and chemicals are involved. Interact with Human Resources and University Police for Irradiator Safety Program.
External: Contact with affiliate institutions and their staff and faculty on a routine basis. Occasional interaction with federal, state, and local organizations. Interact with University Hospitals Maintenance Department, Security Department, Chemical/Biological Safety Department, UH Radiation Safety Department.
Students: Regular contact with students providing radiation safety oversight.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
This position has no direct supervisory responsibility with regards to personnel but is responsible for oversight of environmental health and safety programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 5 years direct or related experience in the radiological field.
Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
REQUIRED SKILLS
- Working knowledge of computer programs including Onsite, Microsoft Word, Excel, & Outlook is required.
- Comprehension of radiation protection concepts and techniques.
- Must have good basic mathematics and communication skills.
- Ability to meet consistent attendance.
- Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The Radiation Specialist must be able to walk for prolonged periods of time and lift up to 50 pounds. The employee may be exposed to the following hazards during the work: around moving machinery, powered industrial vehicles, confined space entry, pesticides or herbicides, excessive noise, fumes, dusts, lasers, UV light, animals, bloodborne pathogens, infectious agents, chemicals, commercial products, X-ray, radioactive materials and select agents. As part of the emergency response program, the employee is required to respond to emergencies on campus during off hours, including weekends and holidays. The employee is required to be on-call and maintain the 24- or 40-hour OSHA hazardous waste operations and emergency response training. This position is not eligible for the staff hybrid work program.
Diversity Statement
In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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Reasonable Accommodations
Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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COVID Vaccination
Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /equity@case.edu for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.
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