Associate Radiation Safety Officer

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) leads the efforts to develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive laboratory and healthcare radiation safety program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The research being performed on campus and at the hospital is both broad and complex. This position works under the general supervision of the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) in the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) within the Division of Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M). The incumbent in this role will lead a staff that is primarily responsible for ensuring that research involving radioactive materials and radiation producing machines is performed in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and standards (including OSHA, ANSI, NRC, EPA, DNR, DHS, and the Wisconsin Administrative Codes), performing hazard evaluations of research activities, and recommending controls to ensure safety. The position also includes the interpretation of scientific and technical studies and other published literature. This role requires an understanding of radiation safety and hazardous materials; an advanced level of decision-making skills and the ability to apply critical knowledge of proper techniques, skills, and procedures to correctly plan, act and handle hazardous materials safely. This position will also manage and review activities of the Office of Radiation Safety (ORS) staff and other EH&S staff members performing laboratory consultations and inspections. The ARSO is required to use considerable judgment and is expected to use the tools and principles of quality management in performing their daily work. The individual must demonstrate exceptional customer service by establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with managers, supervisors, co-workers, and all customers. Experience in risk communication and strong interpersonal skills are required to negotiate and problem solve with multiple constituencies. Excellent verbal and written skills are essential.

Requirements

• Four (4) years of professional radiation safety experience in a research/academic or clinical setting
• Knowledge of the concepts, fundamentals, and best practices of health physics and radiation protection as well as the risks associated with ionizing radiation exposure
• Knowledge of (and experience interpreting) the state and federal regulations, standards, and guidance documents governing radioactive materials, radiation producing machines, and other hazards typically present in a research setting
• Detail-oriented, demonstrated organization and time management skills, and ability to manage/prioritize, track, and complete tasks/projects within established deadline
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally and effectively with a wide variety of individuals
• Experience demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills in high stress or emergency situations
• Self-motivated, able to work with supervision and professional judgment, managing the radiation safety program within an assigned functional area, and able to work independently or as a team
• Demonstrated competence in communicating technical information clearly and concisely

Nice To Haves

• Eight (8) years of professional radiation safety experience in a research/academic or clinical setting
• Experience with managing staff
• Experience in managing and facilitating safety committees
• Experience with creating and maintaining documents and databases (e.g. EHSA) in support of the program
• Experience in using various radiation detection instruments, performing radiological safety evaluation, assessments and reporting, coordinating and conducting radiation safety trainings and programs
• Radiation safety experience for research and clinical use including radiation producing machines, lasers, and other non-ionizing radiations

Responsibilities

• May supervise the daily operations of unit staff and provide direction and expectations for workflows
• Oversees unit consultations to customers and serves as the main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders
• Guides the development and implementation of a health and safety program that aligns with strategic goals
• Identifies operational and safety issues
• Reviews and creates health and safety policies
• Provides knowledge and guidance to internal and external stakeholders in the specialized area of radiation

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level