RAM Licensing Branch Manager

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Radiation Section Director or designee, the manager performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work administering the daily operations of the Radioactive Materials Licensing Branch within the Radiation Section. The manager also performs advanced health physics and radiation control work. Manages, plans, and coordinates statewide radioactive materials licensing, industrial radiography certification, sealed source and device safety evaluations, and related regulatory activities. Provides technical expertise, professional oversight, and direction to licensing and administrative staff.
The position sets goals for staff, establishes priorities, plans, assigns, and supervises work, and is responsible for performance measures and outcomes. Uses organizational and management skills to develop and evaluate policies, procedures, guidance, schedules, and standards for branch activities and licensing programs. Work involves evaluating resources, coordinating workloads, monitoring licensing timeliness and quality, maintaining consistency in technical review and regulatory decisions, and evaluating branch functions and procedures. Identifies areas for improvement and leads implementation of operational, procedural, information-system, and technology changes. Provides input on staffing, training, and other resource needs. Prepares or approves responses to legislative requests and public inquiries and contributes to the development and implementation of department administrative rules.
The manager oversees and coordinates projects and initiatives related to the Radioactive Materials Licensing Branch and represents the Branch in cross-functional and other work group meetings. May serve as backup to Radiation Section leadership as assigned. Work involves collaborating as needed with Consumer Protection Division leadership, Radiation Section leadership, other branch managers and program areas, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, other federal and state agencies, Agreement State partners, professional organizations, applicants, licensees, and external stakeholders. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in health physics, nuclear or environmental engineering, environmental or natural sciences, chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience applying laws, rules, policies, and procedures relating to governmental regulation
• Experience as a state or federal inspector
• Experience as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
• Experience in a health physics position
• Experience in a regulatory or quality control position in a regulated industrial, educational, or medical industry
• At least three years of management or supervisory experience, including assigning work, evaluating employee performance, and developing staff.
• Must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license if operating a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of official duties.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying laws, rules, policies, and procedures relating to governmental regulation
• Experience as a state or federal inspector
• Experience as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)
• Experience in a health physics position
• Experience in a regulatory or quality control position in a regulated industrial, educational, or medical industry
• At least three years of management or supervisory experience, including assigning work, evaluating employee performance, and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Manages the daily operations and statewide activities of the Radioactive Materials Licensing Branch.
• Ensures effective and efficient delivery of licensing, certification, and related regulatory work by establishing goals, priorities, schedules, standards, and performance measures; coordinating workloads; and allocating licensing and administrative resources.
• Monitors application volumes, licensing timeliness, productivity, quality indicators, and program outcomes and adjusts resources to meet state requirements and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Agreement State obligations.
• Evaluates staffing, training, technology, equipment, and other resource needs, making adjustments within the branch and recommending broader changes to Radiation Section leadership.
• Provides technical expertise, professional oversight, and direction to staff.
• Recommends and implements operational improvements and prepares or oversees preparation of ad hoc reports and information requested by Radiation Section or Consumer Protection Division leadership.
• Directs and oversees highly advanced health physics technical review functions for multiple radioactive materials licensing programs, the industrial radiography certification program, and sealed source and device (SS&D) safety evaluations.
• Ensures applications for licenses authorizing the receipt, possession, use, storage, or transfer of radioactive material are evaluated consistently and that equipment, facilities, procedures, and personnel are adequate to protect public health, safety, and the environment.
• Develops, implements, maintains, and evaluates licensing policies, procedures, guidance, and technical review standards.
• Reviews and approves licenses, correspondence, technical reports, and safety or environmental evaluations within delegated authority.
• Coordinates major licensing actions with other Radiation Section programs, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other state and federal agencies.
• Ensures the industrial radiographer certification program and related contractual obligations are properly administered.
• Manages highly specialized technical and administrative staff, including hiring and selection, timely posting and filling of vacancies, onboarding, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave, time, and travel.
• Develops and documents goals, expectations, standards, policies, procedures, guidance, and schedules for staff.
• Monitors performance and provides direction, coaching, counseling, feedback, mentoring, and recognition to ensure work is completed accurately, timely, consistently, and in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Identifies and addresses staff development, training, cross-training, succession, and retention needs.
• Provides advanced health physics and radiation control expertise on complex licensing actions, new or unusual uses of radioactive material, SS&D evaluations, certification matters, radiation hazards, and environmental or risk issues.
• Reviews and evaluates state and federal rules, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission guidance, Agreement State practices, scientific and technical information, and proposed regulatory requirements.
• Leads or participates on radiation control and cross-functional teams involving emergency response, quality improvement, rulemaking, program reviews, audits, self-assessments, and special projects.
• In coordination with Operations, Inspections, Compliance, and other program areas, develops or revises administrative rules, regulatory guides, legislative bill analyses, implementation plans, and technical recommendations.
• Leads licensing workflow, document-management, and technology improvements and implements solutions that improve quality, consistency, timeliness, and program effectiveness.
• Works closely with Radiation Section leadership and other branch managers to evaluate branch activities, develop short-term and long-term plans, support section goals, and implement special projects and initiatives.
• Prepares and reviews reports, briefings, correspondence, presentations, and responses to legislative or public requests and approves items within delegated authority.
• Represents the agency on radioactive materials licensing, radiation protection, and regulatory matters before applicants, licensees, the public, advisory boards, legislative bodies, professional organizations, legal proceedings, and state and federal partners as requested.
• Leads or participates in cross-functional, interagency, and professional work groups and communicates technical and regulatory information at levels appropriate to the audience.
• May serve as backup to Radiation Section leadership as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern, assignment, or location.

Benefits

• insurance coverage
• other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS)

What This Job Offers

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