Radiation Safety Specialist

Department

Provost ORS - Radiation Safety

About the Department

The Radiation Safety Program at the University of Chicago focuses on minimizing risk to any laboratory personnel that works with radioactive materials. Examples of radioactive materials may include ionizing radiation, X-rays, radioactive isotopes, etc. Our team works diligently to provide the best education and training to help individuals minimize their exposure to any source of radiation. Our radiation safety team also oversees the Laser Safety Program at UChicago and focuses on minimizing risk to individuals who work with Class 3b and 4 lasers. Our specialists strive toward providing the best advice, education, and training to help individuals minimize the hazards of working with lasers.

Job Summary

The Radiation Safety Specialist will provide support to the University of Chicago’s Radiation Safety Program and Laser Safety Program. The primary functions and duties will be in the following areas: radioactive waste management, radiation monitoring program, laboratory surveys, package receipt surveys, radioactive material accountability, emergency response, escort users to secure locations according to internal procedures, coverage for medical procedures involving therapeutic use of radionuclides, laser safety, database entry, ALARA program, radiation safety training, and instrument quality control. Work is supervised and assigned at the task level.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, scheduling, and conducting of radiation and contamination surveys in the research/medical center laboratories and other areas where radioactive material is used or stored, including analysis of smears for the measurement of radioactive contamination.
• Assist with patient therapy procedures to ensure all regulatory and safety precautions are being followed, perform patient room setup as necessary to control contamination, conduct patient room decontamination procedures to include the removal of all equipment that contains radioactive contamination and removal of radioactive waste and survey of room for contamination.
• Conduct daily package receipt surveys and inventory entry in the database system.
• Assist with the radiation monitoring program to include distribution and return of dosimetry.
• Conduct radiation safety training to University and Medical Center staff.
• Be part of the emergency response for spills.
• Conduct instrument calibration and quality control checks.
• Perform waste management duties to include but not limited to preparation, delivery, surveys, and disposal of radioactive waste containers.
• Comply with biohazard/radiation safety/safety standards through proper handling of potentially hazardous chemical, biological agents, and/or radioactive materials/sources and attend annual safety/radiation safety training classes, as appropriate.
• Conduct data entry of radiation safety records daily into a database to demonstrate compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• With a high level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs. Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures. Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
• Conducts surveys, audits, and inspections of instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures. Analyzes data and initiatives immediate corrective action plans and follow-up to ensure implementation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Driver's License - Multiple States

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• College or university degree in Health Physics or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

• 40-hour HAZWOPER desired but can obtain during employment.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellence as a team player with the ability to do multiple projects and manage deadlines.
• Must communicate effectively with diverse staff and stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and understand regulatory language.
• Alertness and attentiveness to details, good decision-making skills, demonstrated capacity and motivation to learn.
• Must be able to thrive in a busy environment, fully committed to supporting the radiation safety and laser safety programs at the University and its Medical Center, and enthusiastic about joining a team dedicated to excellence in service.
• The ability to follow instructions to meet radiation safety objectives.
• Strong math capabilities.

Working Conditions

• Requires the ability to walk/travel (approximately 2 to 5 miles daily) and requires 20% sitting and 80% standing and walking/traveling.
• Requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Must possess dexterity to maneuver 55 and/or 30-gallon drums with moving equipment (drum dolly, pallet jack, etc.).
• Occasionally pushing, pulling objects weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions within regulatory limits, such as exposure to radiation and radiation producing equipment, chemicals, biological agents, laser, and radioactive waste (mixed waste, low-level radioactive laboratory waste, and biohazardous waste).

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)

Job Family

Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$65,000.00 - $69,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.