Assistant Director of Radiation and Laser Safety and University Radiation Safety Officer

This person will have real impact. Vanderbilt is investing in both people and infrastructure, including a planned renovation of the radiation safety and waste space. We are looking for a collaborative leader who wants to shape the next generation of safety programs that allows innovation of all kinds to thrive safely, from traditional labs to student-driven projects, makerspaces, and start-ups.

• Act as the university’s subject matter expert in radiation and laser safety and as the university’s Radiation Safety Officer on VU’s Broadscope Radioactive Materials License.
• Act as lead in compliance-related regulatory inspections and primary liasion to external organizations for their area of EHSS expertise.
• Collaboratively develop vision, mission, budget, policies, procedures and key performance indicators for their area of EHSS at Vanderbilt.
• Establish relationship with VUMC OCRS to continue the transition to VU management.
• Lead the implementation and adoption of EHS Assist software system related to their area of EHSS.
• Ensure regulatory and audit findings are timely and effectively addressed.
• Develop opportunities for improvement in current services, faculty support processes, training, and information systems.
• Ensure effective training modules are created and assigned to appropriate VU faculty, staff and students in Oracle Learn, provide in-person training sessions when requested, and ensure regulatory-required completion data is tracked and reported appropriately.
• Support VU Facilities projects impacting laboratories.
• Set EHSS standards to meet customer and administrative expectations.
• Identify and implement best practices and corrective actions across the laboratory safety that assure high quality, improve systems and services, meet needs and ensure compliance with complex and rapidly changing federal, state, regional, and local laws and accreditation requirements.
• Develop and manage standard operating procedures and protocols for laboratory and EHSS operations.
• Serves as an emergency responder participating in the on-call schedule and provide leadership in any incidents or exposures in their area of EHSS.
• Ensure EHSS staff have appropriate technical and required training.
• Collaborate with VUMC, Vanderbilt University Public Safety, and VU Facilities to develop effective emergency response plans for VU laboratories
• Manage the activities of the University Radiation Safety Committee and Laser Safety Committee. Possibly serve on university committees such as workplace safety committee, emergency management operations, risk management committee, etc.
• Manage 3-5 professional staff and interns.
• Support the success of a high-performing organization by championing and driving efficiency and effectiveness using safety informatics and metrics, data, software, and instructional technology.

Certification as a Certified Health Physicist (CHP) and/or Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) or other relevant certification.

8+ years related experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.

Expert-level knowledge in radiation and laser safety concepts, standards of performance, best practices, licensing, regulations, and granting requirements.

Ability to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies.

Advanced ability in adaptability, innovation, interpersonal communication, customer service skills, and teamwork.