Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Works under general direction on assigned tasks for the Washington University and Washington University Medical Center (WU&WUMC) Radiation Safety program. Work involves radioactive materials, radiation sources, radiation generating devices, radioactive and hazardous wastes, high-field magnets, lasers, etc. The position is responsible for a routine set of technical assignments conducted weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually on a general schedule. Must be able to coordinate with users, with other staff, and with other needed resources to ensure the scheduled activities and tasks are completed within the schedule. May include assignments to lead technical tasks or project teams. The position requires capability with radiation safety technical measurements and instrumentation, an understanding of the principles and goals of radiation protection, and techniques employed to comply with applicable requirements. The position requires the ability to evaluate information, identify needs, and communicate with the users to obtain additional information to support the Radiation Safety program. This position promotes the use of radioactivity as part of a safe work environment, and helps maintain the schoolâ™s compliance with Federal, state, and local regulations.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Position will be assigned responsibility for tasks in one or more of the technical areas of the radiation safety program. The technical areas include, but are not limited to: user authorizations, inspections, surveys, sealed sources, decommissioning, release surveys and closeouts, radioactive materials accountability and transportation, cyclotron produced materials (production, distribution and use), radioactive waste management and shipping, dosimetry and bioassay, ALARA program, instrument calibrations, radiation producing equipment safety, non-ionizing radiation safety, and medical program assessments. Within these areas, typical tasks may include:
• Laboratory inspections to assess compliance with safety and regulatory requirements, such as proper use approvals, radioactive material control, handling procedures, animal facility, dose control, signs and labels, documentation, radioactive waste management, and special requirements for the authorization.
• Serve as a point of contact for inspected Authorized Users and as HP contact or Authorization Reviewer for assigned users, handling routine and complex questions; making referrals for the most difficult issues.
• Authorization reviews:
  • Assemble documentation for radioactive material use authorization applications, renewals, and amendments according to Radiation Safety Division procedures, and using existing paper forms and routine reports from computer databases.
  • Confirm application completeness and identify special requirements that apply.
  • Dosimetry requirements evaluation â“ internal and external.
  • Laboratory posting evaluation.
  • Animal protocol and questionnaire.
  • Obtain supplemental information from user as needed, recommend approval, update database and prepare authorization letter.
• Training:
  • Assist with preparation of training materials.
  • Proctor Radiation Safety Exams.
  • Conduct specialized training sessions.
• Technical measurements (according to skill/experience level):
  • Survey instrument measurements â“ dose rate and cpm for beta/gamma, beta and alpha dpm surveys, gamma and neutron surveys.
  • Survey wipe and sample measurements â“ LSC, gamma, alpha/beta, alpha, gamma spectroscopy (MCA).
  • Radiation Safety Laboratory instrumentation QA.
  • Research sealed source inventory and leak tests â“ gamma, beta, alpha sources, neutron and fission fragment sources.
  • Clinical sealed source inventory and leak tests.
  • Routine and unusual survey instrument calibrations.
  • Clinical survey instrument calibrations.
  • Assist with clinical dose calibrator QA tests.
  • Laboratory negative pressure tests.
  • Air monitoring -- volatile iodine charcoal, airborne particulate filters.
  • Xenon monitoring -- filter breakthrough measurements; airborne measurements.
• Decontamination activities; Decommissioning, closeout and release survey projects: equipment, laboratories, facilities.
• Dosimetry and bioassay â“ urine bioassay sample analysis (LSC), thyroid survey (gamma).
• Radiation safety program development:
  • Promote program improvements in areas of specialization.
  • Assist with program design/planning.
  • Develop and revise procedures and guidance.
• Clinical area surveys, patient room preparation, decontamination and release surveys.
• Assist with medical and clinical program inspections and audits.
• Laser device and facility initial assessment, device categorization, evaluate user procedures and training, device and facility safety features.
• High-field magnet device and facility initial assessment, surveys and device characterization, safety procedures and training, access restrictions as appropriate.
• Radiation producing equipment (x-ray) and facility initial assessment, device characterization, review facility shielding and safety design, conduct initial leakage, interlock, scatter and direct dose inspections and surveys for radiation producing machines.
• Gamma irradiator device inspections -- leak test, leakage surveys, interlocks, maintenance and use records, respond and report on malfunction calls from users.
• Increased controls area monitor testing, user access training, security system testing, facility security review.
• Assist in managing radiation safety program technical areas, such as: radioactive materials (ordering, receipt, and distribution), training, inspections, dosimetry and bioassays, ALARA investigations, radioactive waste management (collection, processing, disposal), radiation machine safety, etc. Takes team leader roles as experience allows.
• Radioactive material shipping.
• Radioactive and mixed waste management: packing waste for shipping, prepare waste manifest for offsite disposal.
• Cyclotron facility, cyclotron-produced material distribution systems and PET-use laboratory inspections, surveys, incident response, and radiation safety evaluations and support.
• Laboratory incident response â“ initial response to incident, decontamination and survey support; coordination with Laboratory Contact, Authorized User, laboratory staff, prepare incident report.
• Radioactive material security.
• Emergency response â“ training, on-site response coordination, initial and re-entry surveys, follow-up surveys and decontamination.
• Be able to carry out duties and responsibilities of Radiation Safety Specialist I and II.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Work assignments occur in laboratory and health care environments and waste management facilities where infectious, hazardous, and radioactive materials are used, stored, and/or disposed of. 
• Must be physically able to walk to many locations each day and have the dexterity to survey fairly inaccessible locations. 
• Will need to be able to lift and move 20 pound containers, and carry packages or survey instruments.
• Will be required to wear radiation dosimeters, and bioassay may be required using radiation monitoring measurements and analysis of bioassay samples.
• May need to wear personal protective equipment such as coveralls, laboratory coat, safety glasses, gloves, booties, and a respirator, as required. 
• Will be required to have at least a Class E driverâ™s license (e.g., current IL driverâ™s license or MO âœchauffeurâ™s❠license). 
• May be required to successfully complete DOT hazardous materials worker training if assignments include shipping of radioactive material and/or EPA hazmat worker training if assignments include managing waste. 
• May be required to obtain a commercial driverâ™s license with hazardous materials endorsement if assignments include waste transport, and will then be required to participate in the random drug and alcohol testing program and periodic physical examination associated with maintaining the commercial driverâ™s license. 
• Will be required to successfully pass a criminal background evaluation, including FBI fingerprint background check, to meet radioactive material security program requirements.
• Work involves exposure to ionizing radiation and requires individual commitment to maintaining doses to self and others at levels that are as low as reasonably achievable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals, and communicate technical information clearly and concisely, in person, by phone, and in writing through memos or email. 
• Mathematical ability sufficient to perform calculations and conversions using formulas and methods provided in procedures.  
• Must be able to plan activities, develop detailed schedules, and coordinate necessary resources to complete tasks according to a general schedule.
• Demonstrated knowledge of institutional requirements for safe use of radioactive materials and how the requirements apply to research, clinical, and work place settings.
• Detailed knowledge of measurement procedures and instrumentation for radiation surveys and sample analysis.
• Ability to read, understand and assist in interpreting regulatory language.
• Ability to input data, perform QA on data entry, and produce routine reports on an existing computer database system using keyboard and mouse.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree in a science or engineering field with three years increasingly responsible experience in a radiation use setting; NRRPT or equivalent certification can be substituted for the experience requirement.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered on a case by case basis.
• Knowledge of the general concepts and institution-specific requirements for radiation safety, as well as technical measurement procedures, are expected.

Grade

G13

Salary Range

$65,900.00 - $112,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? Weâ™ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

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