Radiation Safety Officer

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will lead and manage a comprehensive, enterprise-wide Radiation Protection Program within a complex academic health system operating under a broad-scope radioactive materials license issued by the State of California. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S), the RSO serves as the designated institutional authority and regulatory designee on both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety and compliance across clinical, research, and academic operations. The RSO partners closely with the institutional Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and provides subject matter leadership and technical guidance to ensure safe, compliant, and effective use of radiation technologies across UCSF’s hospitals, clinics, and research campuses throughout the Bay Area. This includes oversight of radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lasers, and other non-ionizing radiation sources such as radiofrequency, microwave, and energy field-generating devices. This role is responsible for administering and continuously improving UCSF’s Radiation Protection Program, including proactively identifying hazards, implementing corrective actions, and verifying compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The RSO exercises delegated authority in accordance with regulatory requirements, UC and UCSF enterprise policies on behalf of senior leadership to intervene in operations when necessary, including restricting or suspending activities that do not meet established safety or regulatory requirements. The RSO serves as a key advisor and operational partner to multiple governance bodies, including the Radiation Safety Committee, Radioactive Drug Research Committee, Laser Safety Committee, and MR Safety Committee. In collaboration with the RSC, the RSO supports the review and approval of radiation use in cutting-edge clinical trials conducted under the oversight of the UCSF Institutional Review Board (IRB). Acting as the primary liaison to the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), the RSO ensures institutional compliance with licensing requirements and maintains UCSF’s authorization to use radioactive materials and radiation-producing technologies. The role requires staying current with evolving regulations, standards, and emerging technologies, and translating those changes into effective institutional policies, programs, and practices. This position requires strategic leadership, extensive regulatory expertise, and the ability to influence across a large, decentralized organization to ensure the safe and compliant use of radiation in support of UCSF’s mission of advancing health worldwide. Department Overview: UCSF’s Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to fostering a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible environment for all faculty, staff, students, patients, and visitors across the University and UCSF Health system. EH&S serves as the central resource for workplace safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance within a complex, multi-site academic health institution. The department provides comprehensive programs and services that support compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while enabling UCSF’s mission of advancing health through research, education, and patient care. Core program areas include biosafety, chemical safety, environmental protection, ergonomics, facilities safety, fire and life safety, industrial hygiene, radiation and laser safety, hazardous materials management, spill response, food facility safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) selection, hazardous building materials, and hazardous waste management, among others. EH&S partners closely with campus leadership, clinical operations, research programs, and affiliated organizations to proactively identify risks, implement effective controls, and promote a culture of safety and environmental responsibility. The department also provides critical support to the UCSF Health system and multiple affiliated entities, ensuring consistent standards and practices across diverse operational settings. Through a combination of technical expertise, consultation, training, and program development, EH&S plays a vital role in maintaining compliance, reducing risk, and supporting the safe conduct of world-class research, education, and patient care activities at UCSF.

Requirements

Comprehensive, enterprise-wide Radiation Protection Program management experience.
Experience operating under a broad-scope radioactive materials license.
Subject matter leadership and technical guidance in radiation safety and compliance.
Oversight of radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, MRI, lasers, and other non-ionizing radiation sources.
Experience administering and improving radiation protection programs.
Proactive hazard identification and implementation of corrective actions.
Verification of compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Experience exercising delegated authority to intervene in operations.
Advisory and operational partnership with governance bodies.
Experience supporting review and approval of radiation use in clinical trials.
Liaison experience with regulatory agencies (e.g., California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch).
Staying current with evolving regulations, standards, and emerging technologies.
Translating regulatory changes into institutional policies, programs, and practices.
Strategic leadership skills.
Extensive regulatory expertise.
Ability to influence across a large, decentralized organization.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a comprehensive, enterprise-wide Radiation Protection Program.
Serve as the designated institutional authority and regulatory designee on ionizing and non-ionizing radiation safety and compliance.
Partner with the institutional Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and provide subject matter leadership and technical guidance.
Ensure safe, compliant, and effective use of radiation technologies across hospitals, clinics, and research campuses.
Oversee radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, MRI, lasers, and other non-ionizing radiation sources.
Administer and continuously improve UCSF’s Radiation Protection Program.
Proactively identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and verify compliance with regulations.
Exercise delegated authority to intervene in operations and restrict or suspend non-compliant activities.
Serve as a key advisor and operational partner to governance bodies (Radiation Safety Committee, Radioactive Drug Research Committee, Laser Safety Committee, MR Safety Committee).
Support the review and approval of radiation use in clinical trials.
Act as the primary liaison to the California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (RHB).
Ensure institutional compliance with licensing requirements.
Maintain UCSF’s authorization to use radioactive materials and radiation-producing technologies.
Stay current with evolving regulations, standards, and emerging technologies.
Translate regulatory changes into effective institutional policies, programs, and practices.
Provide strategic leadership, extensive regulatory expertise, and influence across a large organization.