Radiation Safety Coordinator

The University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Arlington is seeking a Radiation Safety Specialist to support the EH&S program under the Broad Radioactive Materials License and Radiation Producing Machine Registration. The role ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and promotes a safe learning environment across laboratories.

Key duties include maintaining inventories, conducting inspections and surveys, handling radioactive materials and waste, training, shipping logistics, and incident response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in health physics, radiological health, physical science, or related discipline with at least two years of applied health physics experience.
• Experience conducting laboratory research with radioactive materials and x-ray machines in an institution holding a broad radioactive materials license for research and development and x-ray machines registration.

Responsibilities

• Supports implementation of the Broad Radioactive Materials License and Radiation Producing Machine Registration programs.
• Maintains inventories of radioactive materials and equipment; conducts inspections and surveys.
• Performs receipt, inventory, storage, transfer, and disposal of radioactive materials and radioactive waste.
• Maintains and calibrates radiation detection instruments; serves as primary dosimetry program contact.
• Coordinates radiation safety committee activities and ensures proper record keeping.
• Assists with regulatory licensing and amendment requests as directed by the Radiation Safety Officer.
• Conducts inspections of laboratories and safety equipment; identifies deficiencies and facilitates corrective actions.
• Develops and provides radiation safety training; tracks training requirements and history.
• Serves as coordinator for shipping, receiving, and transportation of radioactive materials.
• Responds to radiation safety emergencies and supports spill response and remediation.

Skills

Radiation safety

Regulatory compliance

Laboratory safety

Communication

Training

Education

Bachelor's degree in health physics, radiological health, physical science

Job description

Purpose of Position

Under the supervision of EH&S Assistant Director and Radiation Safety Officer, this position supports implementation of the university's radiation safety program under Broad Radioactive Materials License and Radiation Producing Machine Registration to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and promotes a safe working and learning environment. Support laboratory safety programs, hazardous materials management, regulatory compliance, and emergency response activities.

Essential Functions

• Radiation Safety Program Implementation:
• Supports implementation of the Broad Radioactive Materials License and Radiation Producing Machine Registration programs.
• Maintains inventories of radioactive materials - open and sealed sources, radiation producing machines, and authorized users.
• Conducts laboratory inspections, radiation surveys, wipe tests, and sealed source leak tests.
• Performs receipt, inventory, storage, transfer, and disposal of radioactive materials and radioactive waste.
• Maintains and calibrate radiation detection and measuring instruments at determined schedules.
• Serves as the primary contact for personnel and area dosimetry program, including issuance, collection, report review, and record keeping.
• Coordinates timely payment of program vendor invoices.
• Provides technical guidance to faculty, staff, and students regarding the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment.
• Ensures program website is maintained up to date and request changes in a timely manner.
• Prepares radiation safety program reports as assigned.
• Performs other program administrative duties as directed. Radiation Safety Compliance Support:
• In consultation with the Radiation Safety Officer, coordinates radiation safety committee meeting schedules, agenda preparation, protocols, meeting packet preparations and distribution to committee members, ensures quorum is available to convene meetings and conduct committee business, records committee meeting minutes to include a record of meetings deliberations.
• Supports Principal Investigators (PIs) with new applications and amendments to radioactive material & x-ray machines protocols.
• Serves as primary contact for questions regarding conducting research involving radioactive materials and x-ray machines including application forms, processes for submission, review and approvals.
• Conducts a pre-review of all applications submitted and prioritize protocols for review by the committee.
• Assists with regulatory licensing and amendment requests as directed by the Radiation Safety Officer.
• Laboratory and Research Safety Support:
• Conducts inspections of assigned laboratories, shops, and associated safety equipment, including but not limited to fume hoods, emergency eyewash stations, and safety showers.
• Identify safety deficiencies and facilitate corrective actions in coordination with stakeholders.
• Evaluates personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, usage, and effectiveness.
• Support hazardous waste management activities, including waste collection from designated accumulation areas and disposal.
• Assist with administration of the laser safety program, including inventories, pre-procurement review, audits, and user training.
• Training Support:
• Develops and provides radiation safety training.
• Manages outreach to authorized users and Principal Investigators (PIs) regarding overdue training, updates individual training requirements and history as needed, assists with access to online training and schedules in-person training as needed.
• Assess and identify any additional training needs and facilitate delivery.
• Radioactive Materials Shipping and Logistics:
• Serves as the university's primary coordinator for radioactive material shipping, receiving, and transportation.
• Ensures compliance with applicable transportation regulations DOT, IATA, etc.
• Coordinates radioactive waste shipment and disposal through approved vendors.
• Maintains required shipping, receipt, and disposal records.
• Incident Response and Special Projects:
• Assists in the investigations of accidents, incidents, and regulatory non-compliance issues.
• Responds to radiation, hazardous materials, and other EH&S emergencies, including after-hours, weekend, and holidays as required.
• Provides technical support during spill response and remediation activities involving radioactive materials.
• Performs other Environmental Health and Safety duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in health physics, radiological health, physical science, or biological science with a physical science minor or a closely related discipline, and at least two (2) years of applied health physics experience in a radiation safety program with broad radioactive materials license for research and development and x-ray machines registration.
• Experience conducting laboratory research with radioactive materials and x-ray machines in an institution holding a broad radioactive materials license for research and development and x-ray machines registration will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in health physics, radiological health, physical science, or a biological science with a physical science minor or closely related discipline, and three (3) years of applied health physics experience in a program or institution with broad radioactive materials license for research and development and x-ray machines registration.
• Experience in radiation safety programs in higher education or research environment is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of radiation safety principles and applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices.
• Knowledge of radiation measurement, monitoring, sampling, and survey techniques.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard office technology.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively train and advise faculty, staff, and students on radiation safety requirements.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday; 8:00am through 5:00pm
• Respond to emergencies after hours and holidays.

Benefits Information

Position is benefit eligible: Yes

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to our employees at the University.

https://www.uta.edu/hr/employee-benefits