Radiation Safety Officer

The University of California (USC) is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Community - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

The Department:

USC’s Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) provides a safe and environmentally healthy workplace for students, employees, and the surrounding community. To support the academic research and administrative activities of the university by anticipating potential risks, evaluating safety procedures, and developing new safety procedures and programs.

We are seeking a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) to join our outstanding team.  The RSO is responsible for, but not limited to, leading departmental staff in the development and implementation of safety programs that meet university, regulatory, and radioactive-materials license (RML) requirements. Manages, audits and assists with handling and transport of radioactive materials as well as inventory control, and creates, directs and conducts radiation safety training. Develops and coordinates emergency response procedures and actively responds to incidents involving hazardous materials, ensuring that proper safety methods and procedures are followed. Oversees and conducts routine safety inspections of facilities, and when necessary, takes proper action to modify existing university programs and protocol for adequacy and regulatory compliance. Serves as member of the campus-wide program safety committee.

Responsibilities include:

• Develops and implements safety program(s) to meet university, regulatory, and radioactive-materials license (RML) requirements. Establishes, documents and communicates standards, guidelines and procedures, ensuring safety and compliance with California Department of Public Health, Department of Transportation (DOT), and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations.
• Establishes and directs protocol for shipping, receipt and storage of radioactive materials, as well as inventory control. Ensures principal investigators (PI) update the Environmental Health and Safety Assistant (EHSA) online database of radioisotope use, inventories and more in a timely manner, per university policies and procedures. Manages and audits program-specific statistical records, meeting minutes, and administrative paperwork. Oversees review of protocols involving the use of radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing machines as an active member of the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and others as assigned by the radiation safety officer (RSO).
• Oversees development and execution of ongoing safety training for radioactive materials users, and or radiation-producing machines. Works with and assists academic, instructional lab managers, coordinators, and clients (e.g., Molecular Imaging Center), in planning and implementing tailored safety programs to ensure all laboratories are operated in a safe manner. Oversees collaboration with principal investigators and others to ensure standard operating procedures (SOP), guidelines, and tailored-safety procedures are established, documented, effectively communicated in staff training, and complied with.
• Interacts with university research community and safety committees to provide technical assistance or guidance. Serves as member of the campus-wide program safety committee. Liaises with regulatory agencies, professional organizations and other university partners as requested or required. Maintains current knowledge of the university’s RML requirements, and ensures program designs reflect current industry standards and regulations (e.g., USNRC’s “as low as reasonably achievable” ALARA principle). Prepares reports as requested or required to communicate regulatory changes.
• Develops and coordinates emergency response procedures and responds to emergency calls or hazardous materials incidents, and ensures that proper safety methods and procedures are followed. Leads response efforts during emergency drills. Ensures and oversees routine safety inspections of facilities. Ensures occupant attire, activities, equipment, and infrastructure are all in compliance with EHS standards. Initiates and reviews inspection and incident investigation reports, and follows-up on issues.
• In the event of an emergency, the employee holding this position is required to “report to duty” in accordance with the university’s Emergency Operations Plan and/or the employee’s department’s emergency response and/or recovery plans. Familiarity with those plans and regular training to implement those plans is required. During or immediately following an emergency, the employee will be notified to assist in the emergency response efforts, and mobilize other staff members if needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering or other related sciences.
• Five (5) years of work experience, Combined education/experience as substitute for min experience.
• Valid California driver’s license required
• Knowledge of DOT (Department of Transportation) rules and regulations related to the transportation of radioactive materials and handling equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with generally licensed devices (GLD) containing radioactive materials.
• Experience in environmental compliance, biosafety and biosecurity, and/or other related specialty fields (e.g., radiation, laser, fire, occupational, and chemical safety).
• Knowledge of scientific principles and practices related to health physics, radiation safety, radiation control, and the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills to uncover the causes of problems, and the ability to evaluate the risks and benefits of different solutions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proven experience assembling and organizing numerical data.
• Experience developing communication plans, instructional materials, and/or related educational/informational content.
• Proven attention to detail, and the ability to interpret, analyze, and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations, and requirements.
• Expertise with Microsoft Office and related data-management software. Experience presenting ideas, solutions, detailed information, and summaries in nontechnical, business-friendly terms.
• Experience presenting ideas, solutions, detailed information, and summaries in nontechnical, business friendly terms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Nuclear Engineering or other related sciences.
• Seven (7) years of work experience, Combined education/experience as substitute for min experience.
• Eligible to take Part I of the Certified Health Physicist (CHP) exam.
• Extensive knowledge of scientific principles and practices related to health physics, radiation   safety, radiation control, and the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing  equipment.
• Experience with Department of Transportation (DOT) rules related to the transportation of radioactive materials and handling equipment.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and adapt to constantly changing priorities. Experience planning, composing, and editing informational and educational material for businesses, academic institutions, and/or the general public.
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills for communicating tactfully with all levels of staff and diverse groups of individuals.

Valid CA driver's license required. Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment. For more information please visit the policy website.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $125,000- $135,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree or, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education. Minimum Experience: 5 years or, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience.