Environmental Health and Safety Officer

About ACU

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

Title of Position

Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Posting Location

Abilene, Texas

Department

NEXT

Employee Class

Exempt Full-time

Basic Responsibilities

• Oversight of Environmental Health and Safety at NEXT Lab
• Radiation Protection & Licensing Management
• Beryllium Exposure Control & Industrial Hygiene
• Chemical Safety and Hygiene
• Training & Safety Culture Development
• Audits, Monitoring & Reporting
• Stakeholder Communication & Coordination

Essential Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing Oversight

• Ensure compliance with NRC, DOE, OSHA, EPA, and state and other applicable environmental and safety regulations.
• Develop and maintain EHS policies, procedures, and manuals for NEXT Lab.
• Coordinate with Licensing Engineer and QA Manager to align EHS programs with reactor licensing, regulatory requirements, and NEXT QA/QC.

Radiation Protection & Licensing Management

• Serve as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or support RSO responsibilities.
• Oversee NEXT Lab radiation licensing for sealed/unsealed sources, personnel dosimetry, and reactor operations.
• Track, renew, and maintain compliance with all applicable radiation licenses.
• Implement ALARA practices and radiation monitoring programs.

Beryllium Exposure Control & Industrial Hygiene

• Develop and implement beryllium exposure control plans in accordance with best practices.
• Monitor workplace air and surfaces for beryllium contamination.
• Ensure appropriate PPE, engineering controls, and exposure monitoring systems and procedures are in place.
• Train staff and researchers on beryllium hazards and response protocols.

Chemical Safety and Hygiene

• Coordinate with ACU EHS to ensure that NEXT Lab purchasing, shipping, receiving, storage, use, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and chemical waste meets or exceeds the standards of the ACU Chemical Hygiene Plan and ACU Laboratory Safety Plan.
• Coordinate with NEXT Lab Chemistry team to ensure that the chemical inventory is properly managed.
• Ensure that proper PPE is available and used for laboratory activities involving potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Ensure that general safety practices are used in compliance with ACU and policies from other authorities.

Training & Safety Culture Development

• Ensure EHS orientation and specialized safety training for staff, students, and contractors is available as needed.
• Develop and/or procure training modules for radiation safety, beryllium handling, and hazardous waste management that is specific for NEXT Lab.
• Promote a proactive culture of openness, safety, compliance, and accountability across NEXT Lab.

Audits, Monitoring & Reporting

• Conduct internal audits, safety inspections, and exposure monitoring.
• Prepare and submit reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Track corrective actions and verify closure of identified issues.

Stakeholder Communication & Coordination

• Act as liaison with regulatory authorities on EHS matters.
• Communicate safety updates and compliance requirements to NEXT Lab leadership and help determine broad communication plans.
• Ensure transparent reporting to stakeholders and regulatory agencies.

Professional Development Requirements Skills

• Knowledge of NRC/DOE radiation licensing requirements.
• Expertise in radiation protection, beryllium exposure control, hydrogen fluoride safety, mixed waste, and industrial hygiene.
• Risk assessment, incident investigation, and emergency response capabilities.
• Effective communication and training skills.

Qualifications Professional

• Bachelor’s degree. Preferred major in Environmental Health & Safety, Nuclear Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 5–7 years of EHS experience in nuclear or high-hazard environments.
• Direct experience with radiation licensing management and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with beryllium safety requirements and industrial hygiene practices.
• Familiarity with safe handling…