Radiation and Laser Safety Officer (RSO/LSO)

Kennesaw State University -
Kennesaw, GA

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Job Details

Full-time

Qualifications

Driver's License
Driving

Full Job Description

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Provides institutional leadership and oversight for all activities involving the use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at Kennesaw State University. Manages the university's Radiation and Laser Safety Programs, administers the Radioactive Materials License issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and serves as the designated Radiation and Laser Safety Officer in accordance with state and federal regulations. Ensures compliance with applicable requirements from the DNR, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), OSHA, DOT, and the ANSI standards.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Serves as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) with authority and responsibility for managing the university's Radioactive Materials License
2. Serves as the institutional Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and oversee the safe use of Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems in research, teaching, and facilities operations
3. Develops, implements, and maintains comprehensive Radiation Safety and Laser Safety Programs consistent with Federal and Georgia's requirements
4. Maintains the university's radioactive materials inventory, sealed source registry, and laser registration database
5. Performs and documents routine radiation and contamination surveys, dosimetry reviews, leak tests, exposure assessments, and laser safety inspections
6. Administers the personnel dosimetry program, evaluates exposure reports, and ensures timely corrective actions when needed
7. Manages radioactive waste handling, including decay-in-storage, shipment, and disposal in compliance with state and federal regulations
8. Provides radiation and laser safety training for faculty, staff, students, and/or researchers, including initial, refresher, and specialized training sessions
9. Reviews and approves research protocols, experimental procedures, and equipment installations involving ionizing or non-ionizing radiation
10. Advises departments on radiation shielding, exposure control, and engineering controls for laser systems
11. Investigates radiation or laser related incidents and exposures, identifies root causes, and implement corrective actions
12. Maintains all required records, reports, and license documentation for internal review and regulatory compliance
13. Supports and serves as an advisor to the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and Laser Safety Committee (LSC); prepares reports and presents program performance metrics
14. Develops and revises university policies, standard operating procedures, and guidance documents related to ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
15. Coordinates and responds to regulatory inspections by the Georgia DNR, and other agencies
16. Supports other research and laboratory safety programs and activities
17. Collaborates with other department program leaders to promote integrated laboratory safety management across campus
18. Participates in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts involving ionizing or non-ionizing radiation
19. Collaborates with the department on shared responsibilities and emerging safety needs

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Health Physics, Physics, Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or a closely related scientific discipline.

Other Required Qualifications
Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license

Required Experience
Five (5) years of experience in radiation safety, health physics, or related regulatory compliance programs.

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications
Certification or eligibility as a Certified Health Physicist (CHP), Laser Safety Officer (LSO), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)

Preferred Educational Qualifications
An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in health physics, Industrial Hygiene, or related discipline

Preferred Experience
Experience administering a radioactive materials license at a university or research institution

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
Able to build and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with PIs, Department Heads, staff, students, state agencies, and other stakeholders
Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE
Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory standards including Georgia DNR Radioactive Materials Rules, NRC, DOT, OSHA, and ANSI
In-depth understanding of relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, industry standards, and emerging trends in research, radiation, laser, and laboratory safety
Knowledge of health and safety principles, including hazard recognition, evaluation, and control, to accurately assess risks

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills
Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [email protected].

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

Background Check

Standard Enhanced
Education
MVR
9 Panel Lab Drug Test

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening
results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

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