Environmental Health and Safety Associate Director

Universities of Wisconsin • La Crosse, WI

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Health & Safety/Radiation Safety Officer functions as the primary manager and resource for environmental and occupational safety compliance for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) campus. In addition to providing training on safety programs to all UWL staff and conducting regular safety inspections for the entire campus, this position manages all aspects of safety and regulatory compliance for radioactive materials stored on campus. This position works independently, ensuring compliance with UWSA, DHS, NRC, and UWL policy, local, state and federal regulations, and addressing the safety needs of the campus community.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or a related field.
• Ability to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to apply for and receive a Radioactive Materials License from DHS through OJT provided by University Instructional Staff within one year from hire.
• Pass all required background checks needed by DHS and NRC.
• A demonstrated ability to carry out all the regulatory requirements as Radiation Safety Officer.
• Five years of experience as a safety professional in higher education, health care, or an industrial setting.
• A demonstrated ability to interpret and apply Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, allied State of Wisconsin regulations, and professional standards (e.g., NFPA, ANSI) when incorporated by reference.
• The ability to hold and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Driver Authorization is required upon hire.
• Experience identifying potential workplace risks, including chemical, physical, biological, and radiological hazards.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience needed to obtain a Radioactive Materials License.
• Advanced certifications like the Associate Safety Professional (ASP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).
• A demonstrated ability to assemble and conduct employee training.
• Proficiency in conducting root cause analysis for incidents or “near-misses” and implementing corrective actions.
• The ability to conduct field inspections, occasionally lift up to 35 pounds, and occasionally climb ladders.

Responsibilities

• Provides occupational safety, industrial hygiene and environmental health compliance services.
• General areas of involvement include physical safety, chemical safety, biological safety, hazardous waste management, environmental protection and related issues.
• Aids campus administration in the development, training and implementation of a wide range of EPA/DNR-mandated environmental and OSHA/COM safety programs.
• Conducts regular safety inspections of all areas on campus, address safety concerns from staff and students (e.g., conduct indoor air quality investigations, conduct accident investigations, survey laboratory space, evaluate and recommend PPE, conduct general fire safety and life safety evaluations, manage employee safety training program, conduct construction site safety inspections).
• Maintains all records and produce all reports necessary to keep UWL in compliance with all federal and state safety and environmental regulations.
• Serves as Campus Safety Officer for Workers’ Compensation, working with Human Resources to investigate, complete required documentation and follow up on reducing risk by assessing the setting, following up on repair/maintenance, providing training and education as needed.
• Facilitate the Campus Safety Committee, participate in UW system level Risk and Safety teleconferences and work collaboratively with campus partners on safety awareness campaigns.
• Listed as Radiation Safety Officer on UWL’s Radioactive Materials License.
• Manage and work to achieve compliance with regulatory agency-issued Radioactive Materials License and X-ray Equipment Registrations.
• Communicates with regulator on license and registration conditions.
• Aid Authorized Users with deployment of ALARA best practices.
• Characterize radioactive waste and manage waste storage, records, and disposal.
• Determines operational program structure necessary to implement the comprehensive radiation safety program.
• Approves laboratory procedures and protocols that use radioactive materials.
• Provides guidance to Authorized Users on the safe use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials.
• Maintain records to demonstrate compliance with permit conditions.
• Collaborates on purchasing decisions with Authorized Users.
• Works with Authorized Users to enhance and implement best practices to minimize radiation worker and student exposure to ionizing radiation.
• Develops and communicates policies and procedures to minimize hazards associated with use, transport, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials.
• Manage radiation dosimetry program.
• Perform annual, biannual, and other radiation surveys and inspections.
• Update, coordinate, and provide radioactive material and X-ray safety training to Authorized Users, Radiation Workers, Ancillary Workers, and X-ray operators.
• Maintain training records.
• Manage annual calibration of all radiation detection equipment.
• Retain records for regulatory inspection.
• Provide guidance and verify proper security and marking of radioactive materials.
• Manage the radiation safety budget.
• Maintain records of all source material and reconciliations with various governmental agencies including WI DHS, National Source Tracking System (N NSTS), and Nuclear Material management and Safeguards System (NMMSS).
• Conduct annual internal audits of regulated material usage.
• Serve as the Reviewing Official for all Authorized Users needing access to category 1 and category 2 radioactive materials.
• Manage registration of X-ray equipment and conduct biannual equipment inspections.
• Retain equipment inspection records.
• Manage the solid waste collection services and recycling collection services.
• Collect, analyze, and report on waste recycling data.
• Evaluate and recommend program improvements.
• Communicate waste and recycling program updates and changes to the general campus.
• Work with Grounds Services on waste and recycling processes and services.
• Perform other sustainability, environmental health and occupational safety duties as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• Paid vacation for 12-month positions.
• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career.

What This Job Offers

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