Radiation Safety Officer

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains programs related to ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) practices and reducing exposures of campus personnel to radioisotopes and radiation producing machines.
• Radioactive Materials Lab Inspections:
• Oversees radiation safety inspections of laboratories with radioactive materials and /or radiation producing equipment.
• Sets expectations for radiation safety staff performing inspections and for laboratory practices related to use.
• Performs routine radiation protection inspections of campus radioisotope laboratories for compliance with state regulations and EHS rules.
• Verify proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is being utilized during lab work where radioactive materials is in use.
• Ensures that all labs are inspected on a regular basis.
• Review inspections reports from staff. Applies health physics knowledge to the review process.
• Enforces regulations and recommends corrective and preventative measures.
• When necessary, issues formal Notices of Violation (NOV) when lab practices deviate from license requirements.
• Schedules follow up inspections as necessary to address deficiencies.
• Coordinates with Supervisor/Director on implementation of policies, procedures, and programs as appropriate.
• Coordinates corrective actions, related to radiation safety and compliance, with campus building coordinators, facilities supervisors, principal investigators, and administrators.
• Prepares technical and administrative reports based on the collection of scientific sampling data.
• Develops and updates the Radioactive Materials Safety Manual as a standard operating procedure for working with radiation.
• Develops and maintains timely and effective relations with campus personnel.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of databases applicable to the radiation safety programs.
• Coordinates with supervisor to evaluate and prioritize overall current and future program needs.
• Coordinates with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee on issues involving use of radiation or radiation producing equipment during animal research projects.
• Oversees the process of laboratory close-outs, decontamination and radiation surveys when research facilities discontinue or modify use of radiation.
• Provides assistance to other EH&S specialists on an as needed basis
• Manages staff of Radiation Safety Specialists and Associate Radiation Safety Specialists.
• Completes performance programs and performance evaluations.
• Assigns tasks and areas of responsibility.
• Evaluates direct reports and coaches to improve performance.
• Trains staff on the requirements of the NYS Radioactive Materials Licenses and ensures that requirements are maintained.
• Prioritizes tasks and develop methods of meeting goals and campus programmatic needs.
• Prepares meeting materials and reports for committee meetings including standard reports on use of radiation and exposure monitoring.
• Assists the Vice president for Research and EH&S Director with committee membership needs.
• Ensures committee satisfies the requirements of the New York State Health Department
• Schedules meetings and ensure meeting minutes are produced.
• Produces an annual report for the operations of the EH&S Radiation Safety Division and the administration of the UB Radioactive Materials License that is reviewed and approved by the RSC.
• Provides guidance and assistance to laboratories and clinical areas for proper packaging and disposal of Radioactive Waste.
• Oversees the technicians collecting and disposing of radioactive wastes.
• Coordinates with waste management brokers and vendors to ensure that radioactive wastes are properly disposed of at destination facilities.
• Oversees the programs for radioactive materials that are decay disposed or free released and ensures that appropriate sampling and documentation is maintained.
• Ensures all appropriate records are maintained.
• Assists campus in emergency planning for incidents involving radiological hazards.
• Attends UB Response Team training sessions.
• Responds, under the direction of the UB Haz Mat Incident Commander, to emergency calls and evaluates, contains, and cleans up hazardous materials releases.
• Serves as UB EH&S Incident Commander on radioactive releases as appropriate. Fulfills other Haz Mat team roles as assigned.