Assistant Director Environmental Health and Safety

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

About The Position

Iowa State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Environmental Health & Safety to serve as the university's Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and lead its campus-wide Radiation Safety program. The role is part of the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) leadership team and oversees radiation safety operations, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with researchers, faculty, and staff to support safe research, teaching, and veterinary medicine activities. The position oversees the safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment; maintains the university's broad-scope radioactive materials license; and provides technical expertise on radiological hazards and safety measures. It supports research laboratories, veterinary nuclear medicine, diagnostic X-ray systems, and other radiation-producing equipment. The Assistant Director develops and maintains procedures, training, technical guidance, and documentation, and provides technical direction, coaching, and mentorship to radiation safety professionals while managing program priorities, resources, and daily operations. The position also supports radiation safety education and emergency response planning. EH&S's Radiation Safety program supports more than 150 radioactive material users across approximately 80 laboratories, as well as specialized research and veterinary medicine operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Five years of related experience.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship; immigration sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Experience in radiation safety, health physics, radiation protection, or radioactive materials management.
Experience interpreting and applying radiation safety regulations, including licensing, inspections, audits, or regulatory compliance.
Experience evaluating radiological hazards, conducting radiation safety assessments, or implementing radiation protection measures.
Experience developing safety procedures, technical documentation, training programs, or compliance initiatives.
Experience leading technical projects, coordinating programs, mentoring colleagues, or supervising staff.
Experience communicating technical information, providing safety guidance, or collaborating with stakeholders across different roles or disciplines.

Responsibilities

Oversee the safe use, handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment across campus.
Maintain the university's broad-scope radioactive materials license, oversee regulatory documentation, and coordinate inspections, audits, and reporting.
Evaluate radiological hazards, conduct or oversee radiation safety assessments and calculations, and recommend appropriate safety measures.
Partner with researchers, faculty, veterinary medicine professionals, and university leadership to provide practical guidance supporting safe teaching and research.
Provide radiation safety oversight for research laboratories, veterinary nuclear medicine, diagnostic X-ray systems, and other radiation-producing equipment.
Create and maintain safety procedures, training programs, technical guidance, and documentation to support compliance and continuous improvement.
Provide technical direction, coaching, and mentorship to radiation safety professionals while managing program priorities, resources, and daily operations.
Support radiation safety education, emergency response planning, and initiatives that strengthen safety awareness across the university.