Sr. Safety And Compliance Officer

Position Information

Classification Title Safety/Risk Management Professional FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in health physics or radiological health. Two years of applied health physics experience in a program with radiation safety problems similar to those in the program to be surveyed.

Bachelor's degree in a physical science or biological science with a physical science minor, and one year of graduate work in health physics. Three years of applied health physics experience in a program with radiation safety problems similar to those in the program to be surveyed.

Position Summary

The Senior Safety and Compliance Officer functions as the manager of the Radiation Safety Programs, serving as the lead technical expert and supervisor of the Radiation Safety team members. Position has direct responsibility for complying with and maintaining the GA Radioactive Materials Broad Scope License, Homeland Security Irradiator Source Security Directives, and many other safety compliance and emergency response programs.

Such programs include but are not limited to Subpart N mixed waste, long-lived dry and liquid waste storage and disposal, radiation safety training, dosimetry, inspections, source leak testing, ordering, transport, lasers, X-Rays, high magnetic fields, radio waves and spill/emergency response. This position provides key leadership and professional support to the Research Radiation Safety Committee. The Research Safety Program is embedded in the Office of Research Safety (ORS) and this position serves as key part of the ORS management team.

The ORS provides professional services and oversight of all research laboratories at the University of Georgia and affiliates under our license. These activities are performed in concert with other University Environmental Health and Safety professionals with an emphasis on a strongly cooperative and cross-disciplinary approach with a high level of client service. Other duties include cross-training, customer service, safety initiatives, and team development. The position directly reports to the ORS Director under the auspices of the Associate Vice President, Office of Research Integrity, and Safety.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Proven professionalism and integrity in representing safety and/or compliance offices or programs.

• Extensive, expert level knowledge of the methods, procedures, and techniques involved in safety and/or compliance operations.

• Proven ability to implement continuous quality improvement through the use of relevant qualitative and quantitative metrics in assessing performance.

• Proven ability to identify and implement best practices and innovation in safety and compliance at the highest organizational level.

• Expert knowledge of the institutional policies and procedures pertaining to safety and/or compliance.

• Experience and knowledge in designing, developing, and implementing successful safety and compliance programs and policies.

• Expert knowledge of oversight agency regulations, policies, and procedures pertaining to safety and/or compliance.

• Proven ability to participate effectively in the development, implementation, assessment, and improvement of electronic safety and/or compliance administration platforms.

• Proven ability to develop, implement, and direct multi-disciplinary, cross-functioning safety and/or compliance initiatives.

• Proven leadership aptitude including clear focus on customer service as well as safety and compliance. Ability to lead staff as a strong and effective team gaining synergy across discipline boundaries.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university personnel, state and federal agencies, and private organizations.

• Proven ability to communicate positively, effectively, and constructively with all levels of staff and faculty in a higher education research settings. Experience in active consensus-building and principle based negotiation. Ability to grasp needs and concerns in varied areas of safety and compliance and solve complex problems through compromise when necessary and appropriate.

• Strong and well developed ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to multitask in a deadline oriented environment.

• Ability to supervise the work of others and mentor other safety and/or compliance professionals.

Physical Demands

Participate in an occupational health and safety program and wear a respirator, pass physical fitness medical evaluation, and lift at least 50 lbs. above the head. Driving to perform job related duties.

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Operation Management of the Radioactive Materials License and User Programs of Laser, High Magnetic Field, Radio Wave, X-Ray, and Irradiator Sources and the Regulated Waste Programs

Focus on radioactive materials and laboratory safety, management of the daily operations of the Radiation Safety Programs including identifying and addressing the need for new policies and programs or modifying or updating existing policies and programs. Planning and coordinating efforts to develop, review, update and deliver appropriate radioactive materials and safety training based on regulations, university policy and nationally accepted best practices.

Assess and identify appropriate resources and equipment necessary to fully support program objectives. Coordinate laboratory incident response relating to radioactive material hazards. Position supervises all alternate (Assistant) Radiation Safety Officers and staff members assigned to specific programs.

Supervise, lead, and work side by side with ORS team members assigned to the audit, consultation, inspection program. Promote professional development of staff and serve as the authority on work assignments and disciplinary decisions within the work unit.

Direct and review the activities and operations of each listed program. Initiate and refine job descriptions and annual work plans in collaboration with ORS Director. Effectively communicate on a routine basis with staff and offer regular progress reviews and annual performance appraisals.

Direct short- and long-range program goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness and effect changes required for service improvement.

Analyze the work processes within the ORS programs and investigate possible improvements to the quality and/or efficiency of work. Counsel staff on issues related to policy/procedure, federal/state/local regulations and training.

Percentage of time 50 Duties/Responsibilities

Upper Management Support and Significant Cross-Training Efforts Within and Outside ORS and the Common Use of Authoritative Data Platforms

Work with the ORS Director and the AVP in design, renovation, establishment and maintenance of ORS organizational structure, proactive budgeting, and staffing to accomplish the organization's goals and objectives. Promote staff continuing education and EHS career planning endeavors.

Initiate meeting agenda and offer direct support, including subject matter expert invitation, to create an effective and efficient Research Radiation Safety Committee. Serve as a member of the Office of Research management team. Participate and collaborate with other team members to develop and implement strategic, financial and personnel, operational and other decisions that facilitate the achievement of ORS, Office of Research and University goals.

Provide leadership of staff to gain an all-hazards service model with emphasis between Radiation Safety and Chemical Safety responsibilities that reside within ORS. In addition, encourage and promote cross-training efforts within and between ORS and the Environmental Safety Division staff.

Strategic goal of implementation of an online radiation safety program management solution.

The strategic goal for ORS staff is to be a comprehensive EH&S professional and able to perform tasks both in chemical safety and radiation safety and respective field associated programs.

Percentage of time 35 Duties/Responsibilities

ORS Representation Within and Beyond the Office of Research

Work collaboratively and cooperatively with specialized members of the Office of Research, Environmental Safety Division, Facilities Management and Campus Police to ensure excellent customer service and seamless support for all areas.

Communicate with UGA research faculty and be the working arm of the Research Radiation Safety Committee to develop, review, update and deliver safety and compliance support that meets the needs and expectations of the research enterprise. Provide ORS representation at campus meetings as a professional EH&S resource and liaison for successful safety program development, planning, and implementation.

Duties include safety considerations involving the planning, construction, and renovation of laboratory space. Communicate and interact with the UGA community to promote and project a positive safety culture.

Percentage of time 5 Duties/Responsibilities

Member of Hazardous Materials Spill Response Team/On-Call After Hours

Spill response team member of the Programs in Research and Environmental Health and Safety (PREHS) and lead contact person regarding radioactive hazards and safety precautions. PREHS is a 24 hour/365 day On-Call service.

Team members are placed in a rotational roster and given an assigned week to answer emergency calls, provide technical advice, and be available for after-hour calls with the possibility having to return in person to campus at any hour to offer assistance and coordinate with other emergency response personnel. Duty involves HAZWOPER training, medical clearance, use of instruments/supplies, donning of personal protective equipment which could include Powered Air Purifying Respirators or traditional full-face respiratory protection.

Percentage of time 5 Duties/Responsibilities

Other Duties as Assigned by ORS Director and Office of Research AVP

Teaching and research-intensive universities are dynamic entities and may require completion of special tasks dependent on upper administration prerogatives.

Percentage of time 5

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name Esequiel Barrera Recruitment Contact Email ebarr@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact University HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.