Radiation Safety Technician (7141C), Environment, Health & Safety 13846
About Berkeley
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We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: December 30, 2020
Departmental Overview
The Office of Environment, Health & Safety's (EH&S) mission is to provide guidance and services to the campus community that promote health, safety, and environmental stewardship.
The Radiation Safety Technician performs operational functions within the Health Physics (Radiation Safety) technical discipline, as delegated by professional staff (EH&S Specialists). These include dosimetry, routine radiation safety surveys, radioactive material receipt, and survey meter calibration.
EH&S is a highly dynamic, fast paced, committed organization focused on promoting workplace safety and environmental protection for the campus community. We are comprised of many scientific, technical, and administrative professionals, working in an evolving, learning, and sometimes challenging environment with a unified goal of supporting the University's mission of teaching, research and public service. EH&S strives to be an inclusive, service oriented, and operationally excellent organization and is seeking highly motivated individuals who want to learn, be creative, seek continuous competency development, and contribute to our mission.
Perform surveys and annual renewals of Radiation Use Authorizations (RUA). Surveys include monitoring for contamination and radiation levels; checking for compliance with RUA precautions and requirements; and evaluation of safety systems, use of shielding, protective equipment and clothing, safe work practices, dosimetry use, and record keeping. The RUA is updated to reflect current personnel and planned changes in radiation use as necessary. Discrepancies are identified and communicated to radiation workers and the principal investigator, and advice on compliance and safety is given.
Prepare reports that evaluate and document survey results and items of radiological concern that require corrective action. Make recommendations and propose follow-up actions.
Perform special surveys as requested or required. Prepare and submit supporting documentation.
Perform training for Authorized Users, lab contacts, and other users. Provide guidance on shielding, safe work practices, regulatory requirements, etc.
Prepare simple RUA renewals. This involves performing an annual review of compliance with license and RUA conditions, preparing a hazard analysis of present and/or proposed work, determining RUA classifications, and setting restrictions or precautions for the next term of the RUA. Prepare and submit supporting documentation.
Radioactive Material Receipt
Receive incoming shipments of radioactive material, and process in accordance with the Campus radioactive materials license and Radiation Safety procedures.
Perform daily radiation safety instrument verification tests when receiving packages. Run liquid scintillation counter (LSC) standards and check background and efficiency of counting scaler.
Update and maintain associated databases.
Review package transfer documentation for errors and completeness when requested.
Radiation Instrument Calibration
Calibrate survey meters and equipment in accordance with applicable standards. Assist users with repairs when necessary.
Complete assigned calibrations, documentation, and submit documentation for review within the month assigned. Plan and perform meter calibration work independently.
Radiation Safety Information System (RSIS)
Help maintain RSIS records through data entry and periodic quality control reviews.
Radiation Safety Laboratory Operations
Assist the Radiation Safety Laboratory Manager in maintaining the Radiation Safety laboratory facilities.
Help ensure that the Radiation Safety laboratory is equipped and supplied as needed to allow RS staff to perform duties in support of the campus radioactive materials license.
Help ensure that all Radiation Safety fixed counting instruments are adequately maintained and calibrated, and that daily performance checks are performed and documented.
Help maintain the radioactive material inventory for RUA 5421, and ensure that it is up-to-date, properly decay corrected, and documented.
Help ensure that the Radiation Safety lab is maintained in a clean and orderly condition.
Perform other duties as required, including but not limited to
Providing technical support to EH&S staff.
Assisting in preparing survey materials, swipe packets, loading LSC vials, and counting samples
Assisting in developing radiation safety written procedures.
Drives university vehicles to fulfill job requirements.
At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC Administration/Research, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), serve in a designate role within the EH&S Emergency Support Function and be on call to the campus Emergency Operations Center in a campus designated disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release. Provide appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.
Required Qualifications
Knowledge of or the ability to learn quickly procedures, processes and policies of (a) Campus department(s), function(s), or the University: UCB campus research, EH&S Radiation Safety Team programs and protocols (b) an external agency: Department of Health Services, CCR Title 17, 10 CFR20 as they apply to specific functions.
Ability to apply basic knowledge of the specialty field of University Health Physics.
Ability to apply basic knowledge of campus radiation safety procedures to assess and communicate laboratory safety and regulatory compliance with regard to the use of radioactive materials for research to PIs and laboratory contacts.
Ability to apply basic knowledge of university research practices, to ensure radiation safety compliance is achieved in cooperation with research goals.
Ability to apply basic knowledge of instrument functionality and maintenance to repair and calibrate detection instruments (GM meters).
Basic Health Physics (i.e., the science), knowledge which allows incumbent to independently identify and solve routine problems in the labs.
Survey inspection report writing; effective communication; instrument calibration and repair; and laboratory safety and compliance inspection.
Use of hand held and fixed counting equipment for detecting radiation.
Ability to convey technical issues to a range of campus populations from researchers to students; to persuade users to comply with difficult and/or unpopular requirements; to observe and respond to safety issues.
Flexibility to appropriately respond to a dynamic work environment.
Education/Training:
Graduation from high school or General Education Diploma and four years of experience in an environmental health and safety program, or two years of college including appropriate science courses and three years of experience in an environmental health and safety program; or an equivalent combination of experience/training; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Radiation safety training.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience documenting laboratory inspection data using mobile electronic devices.
Basic knowledge of radiation detection instrument functionality and maintenance to repair and calibrate detection instruments (GM meters).
Governing Laws
Incumbent's responsibilities are guided by a significant number of federal, state, and local laws and regulations: Title 17 CFR, Chapter 5, Subchapter 4, Radiological Control; 10 CFR 20, (Standard for protection against ionizing radiation), 19 (Notices, instruction, and reports to workers), 34 (Licenses for Industrial radiography & radiation safety requirements), 36 (Licenses and safety requirements for irradiators), and 71 (Packaging and transportation of radioactive material); DOT Importation and Shipping Regulations; IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; Hazardous Materials Transportation Regulations (49 CFR 171-180)
Incumbent's responsibilities are also guided by campus policies and procedures, which include (but are not limited to) Campus Radioactive Materials License, Campus Radiation Safety Manual.
Salary & Benefits
This is a non-exempt, biweekly paid position. Hourly pay range is $31.39 - $37.80 (Steps 1.0-5.0), commensurate with experience.
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit:
Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.
Driving Required
A valid driver's license and DMV check for driving record is required.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant see:
The University of California was chartered in 1868 and its flagship campus - envisioned as a "City of Learning" - was established at Berkeley, on San Francisco Bay. Today the world's premier public university and a wellspring of innovation, UC Berkeley occupies a 1,232 acre campus with a sylvan 178-acre central core. From this home its academic community makes key contributions to the economic and social well-being of the Bay Area, California, and the nation.
