Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Category: Environment and Sustainability
Full-Time / Part-Time: Full-Time

Overview

The Princeton University Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides leadership, technical support, information and training, consultation, and periodic audits of environmental, health and safety practices and regulatory compliance. EHS employs a dedicated and knowledgeable staff of 19 professional and support staff working to address health and safety issues in several broad areas including: workplace safety, occupational health, laboratory safety, emergency management, environmental programs, and general health and safety for the campus community.

Responsibilities

Provides professional environmental health and safety services to establish procedures and policies with the purpose of limiting exposure and preventing injury to University personnel and members of the general public from sources of radiation (both ionizing and non-ionizing). The Program Manager for Radiation Safety is reponsible for all radiation safety programs and serves as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), advises users of the proper usage of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices so that the dose received is as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), and ensures compliance with the regulations and standards established by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other relevant regulatory agencies.

As RSO, establishes policies and procedures for managing the radiation safety program. Provides routine support and carries out the operational functions of the radiation safety program. In addition, the Program Manager for Radiation Safety responds to radiation-related incidents and emergencies, investigates the causes and circumstances of incidents and emergencies, and provides recommendations for corrective actions.

Develops and provides a) radiation safety training for faculty, staff and students who use sources of radiation, b) radiation awareness training for support staff personnel who may enter areas in which sources of radiation are used, and c) information and guidance materials for users of radiation sources and to satisfy regulatory requirements.

Various other responsibilities:

1. Reviews uses of sources of non-ionizing radiation (including microwave, radiofrequncy, and ultraviolet radiation and magnetic fields), conducts measurements of non-ionizing radiation sources and provides safety recommendations and safety training.
2. As Laser Safety Officer, establish policies and procedures for managing the laser safety program. Provides oversight and routine support for operational functions of the laser safety program.
3. Provides technical support for the EHS Lab Safety Section as time permits.

The Program Manager for Radiation Safety acts as the face of the University’s radiation safety program and participates in professional organizations to maintain acumen and promote the University’s interests with regard to radiation safety regulation.

The radioisotope purchasing, receipt and inventory program ensures that the acquisition and inventory of radioactive materials are controlled and tracked. Radioisotope orders are routed to EHS for approval via PeopleSoft, and EHS reviews each order to ensure that the ordering lab is properly authorized and does not exceed its radioisotope possession limit. After EHS approval, Purchasing places the orders. Radioisotope packages are delivered to a central point, and EHS staff receives each package, performs regulatorily required contamination and radiation surveys and enters package data into the electronic inventory system. This program also ensures that the University’s overall inventory of radioactive materials does not exceed University license limits.

The radiation safety training program ensures that appropriate training is provided for users of sources of radiation and for persons who enter areas where sources of radiation are used. For some sources, only initial training is required, while in other circumstances, refresher training is also required.

The personnel radiation monitoring program ensures that radiation monitoring badges are provided to those radiation workers for whom it is required by state or federal regulation or for whom monitoring is requested as an option, that radiation dose information is made available to monitored workers, that internal monitoring of radioisotope intake via bioassay is performed as warranted, and that doses received by radiation workers is reviewed and maintained as low as reasonably achievable.

The radiation survey program ensures that contamination and radiation levels are measured in all radioisotope-using laboratories once a month, that special surveys are conducted when unusual procedures are performed, and that special release surveys are conducted when a room or a facility is vacated.

The radioactive waste disposal and effluent control program ensures that all radioactive waste materials are disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local regulations, that disposal permits are maintained as necessary, that waste operations are reviewed and audited annually, and that sewer and airborne effluents do not exceed regulatory limits.

The radioactive materials shipment program ensures that packaging, labeling, surveys, etc. of all shipments of radioactive material leaving the institution are done in accordance with DOT shipping regulations.

The radiation-producing machine registration and survey program ensures that University Health Physicist reveiws and approves the purchase of x-ray machines and other radiation-producing machines, that radiation-producing devices are registered with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and that annual radiation surveys and compliance inspections are performed for all radiation-producing machines.

The instrument calibration and maintenance program provides annual calibration for over 60 radiation survey meters used by laboratory personnel and by EHS staff and provides limited repair of survey meters.

The contained source leak test program ensures that contained sources, i.e., sources with the radioactivity encapsulated or otherwise contained so that it cannot be readily dispersed, are tested for leakage quarterly or semiannually, depending on license requirements.

The Declared Pregnant Worker program provides counseling and information to pregnant workers who work in laboratories in which radioactive materials are used, provides recommendations about radiation work during pregnancy, and monitors the dose received by Declared Pregnant Workers.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications:

• B.S. in physics, health physics, environmental science or equivalent degree with training and experience including laboratory work or providing safety services in a laboratory setting.
• Specialized coursework and training in health physics
• Ability to master computer software, including Microsoft Office Professional.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to clearly and effectively communicate orally to a diverse community of clients. Able to perform public speaking and deliver training to diverse audiences/large and small groups.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment and to follow work rules and procedures, and to work independently.
• Good organizational and time management skills and the ability to balance multiple assignments.

Additional Qualifications:

• Post graduate degree preferred
• Ability to obtain hazardous materials shipping, RCRA hazardous waste and Hazardous Waste Operations and
  Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) qualifications
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., instruments, self-contained breathing apparatus and waste containers),
  climb ladders, wear respiratory protection
• Valid US driver's license
• Ability to pass background checks
• Willingness to work around chemicals, biological materials and radioactive materials

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. EEO IS THE LAW