Safety Officer, Radiation Safety

The Vanderbilt Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) team has an entry-level Health Physicist position opening in radiation safety that will support the university research community regarding all existing and developing aspects of the comprehensive broad scope license. The radiation safety program ensures the procurement, use, storage, control, and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation generating devices. Under the direction of the Radiation and Laser Safety Assistant Director, this position will support the development and implementation of the university radiation safety program and ensure compliance with license requirements and State and Federal regulations.

The Safety Officer is part of the Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS) organization at Vanderbilt University. The Safety Officer will support the Vanderbilt community regarding all existing and developing aspects of the university wide EHSS program related to their field of expertise in radiation safety, laser safety, biological safety, chemical safety, hazardous waste management, environmental management, sustainability, etc. Under the direction of an assistant or associate director, the Safety Officer will support the implementation of EHSS programmatic goals and initiatives. This position will establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, postdocs, and students, administrative support units, and departmental administrators and will identify additional ways to be of service, continuously improve, and ensure customer satisfaction. They will assist with the administrative management of EHSS committees and conduct training, education, and support activities under applicable regulations, requirements, and standards of practice. They will support the success of a high-performing organization by helping to champion and drive efficiency and effectiveness using safety informatics, metrics, databases, software and instructional technology.

Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability is part of the Division of Administration and consists of research-centric safety services, university sustainability leadership, and public health operations support. EHSS is an 18-member team that supports a world-class research university with a community of 27,000 faculty, staff, and students on 12 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space on 330 acres in downtown Nashville, TN.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to training modules, educational materials, and job aides based on the latest standards of practice endorsed by Vanderbilt University. Deliver live trainings and education as needed.

• Contribute to the development of policy and procedural documents intended to address existing and emerging EHSS safety and security needs.

• Provide support to researchers with risk assessments, procedures, policies, exposure monitoring, containment practice and equipment needs.

• Coordinate and assist researchers with activity-specific/site-specific hands-on training to support effective safety procedure implementation.

• Perform periodic lab safety audits including review of lab space, inventory, safe use practices and procedures, training, storage, and needed documentation to support compliance and Vanderbilt's safety culture. Prepare and share findings with researchers, safety governance committees and assist with, monitor, and document corrective actions.

• Provide support to faculty, staff, students, and visitors as well as university administrative support units.

• Assist with coordination of governance committee meeting agendas and preparation of supporting documents and presentations.

• Adhere to service standards to meet customer and administrative expectations.

• Drive efficiency and effectiveness using safety informatics and metrics, databases, software, and instructional technology.

• Continuously improve base knowledge and remain abreast of latest advances in their field of expertise.

• Additional job responsibilities as needed and specific to area of expertise and focus in EHSS.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in health physics, physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, sustainability, or a related field is required.

• Minimum 2 years of experience in their area of expertise, or a university setting, is required.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be accepted.

• Advanced data management, analytical, quantitative, technical, and problem-solving skills required.

• Ability to quickly learn and adapt required. Ability to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively is required.

• Ability to obtain professional certification is required. Relevant certifications may include Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP), Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Health Physicist (CHP), Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), PMP (Project Management Professional), REM (Registered Environmental Manager), Professional Engineer (PE) or other application certifications.

• Must have strong interpersonal communication and customer service skills.

• Ability to build and maintain effective respectful and working relationships in a service-oriented environment with a diverse range of people and understand their needs and goals. Exhibit sensitivity, tact, inclusion, and respect for diversity.

• Ability to work effectively with others as a team is required.

• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is required.

• Working knowledge in biological safety, laser safety, radiation safety, chemical safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, research safety, hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, environmental management, hazardous waste, or sustainability theory, concepts, standards of performance, best practices, granting requirements, and regulations.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to develop engaging online and in-person training materials, presentations, programmatic documents, procedures, and reports.

• Strong ability to deliver training, education, and program-specific presentations in an efficient, effective, engaging, and innovative manner.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office 365 products such as TEAMS, PowerPoint, Excel and Word is required. Other programs/skills such as Articulate, Oracle, Tableau, web programming, social media, or database skills are a plus.

• Experience with EHS or ESG management software preferred, particularly EHS Assistant.

• Ability to successfully plan and execute multi-task and multi-project requirements and deliverables to meet objectives and deadlines strongly preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.