Director of Radiation Safety Services

About the role

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Program Leadership and Regulatory Role: Lead the Radiation Safety Services (RSS) program across all Harvard campuses and affiliated institutions. Serve as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) on Harvard's Broad Scope Radioactive Material License. Oversee program assessment and continuous improvement, operational and strategic planning, and the identification and mitigation of radiation hazards. Coordinate RSS service delivery with key contacts in FAS, HMS, HSDM, SPH, SEAS, other laboratory‑based departments, and affiliated institutions. 2. Radiation Risk Management and Compliance: Develop and maintain tools, systems, and processes to help laboratory clients assess and manage radiation risks. Ensure the RSS team systematically recognizes hazards and compliance obligations, and applies layered controls (engineering and administrative) to achieve compliance and risk reduction. Support University risk‑related initiatives, fact‑finding, and investigations involving radiation or related EHS concerns. Ensure RSS contributes to the radiation safety components of the University‑wide EHS inspection program. 3. Training and Communication: Oversee the development, delivery, and periodic review of radiation safety training, in coordination with EHS training, technical, and regulatory specialists. Ensure training requirements for laboratory personnel and management are clearly communicated, tracked, and met; lead development of remedial actions for training deficiencies. Lead development of remedial actions for training deficiencies as needed. Maintain strong communication channels with ESCOs, Principal Investigators, Laboratory Directors, Research Operations Managers, Facility Managers, and other stakeholders to convey RSS and EHS program requirements. Regularly seek and incorporate feedback from faculty, ESCOs, and other stakeholders on RSS performance and service quality. 4. Accident Prevention, Emergency Response, and Incident Management: Develop and implement programs for accident prevention, incident investigation, and correction of radiation safety hazards and regulatory deficiencies in laboratory settings. Play a key leadership role in laboratory emergency planning and management, including preparedness, response, recovery, and after‑action reviews. Ensure RSS staff respond to radiation‑related emergencies, conduct accident investigations, and implement corrective and preventive actions. Participate in Campus Services and University‑wide emergency management activities as a representative of laboratory EHS. 5. Governance, Committees, and Representation: Serve as a key contributor to the University Lab Safety Committee and related governance bodies that set EHS policy for laboratories. Represent laboratory EHS and radiation safety interests at ESCO policy meetings and in interactions with Risk Management and Audit Services, Human Subjects and Animal Research committees, Biosafety Committees, the Radiation Safety Committee, and other oversight groups. Represent the University with external regulatory and public safety agencies on radiation safety and related EHS matters. 6. Performance Measurement and Reporting: Establish program goals, performance indicators, and metrics for RSS and broader laboratory EHS objectives. Provide regular performance data and reports to laboratory groups, EHS leadership, University executives, and governance committees on radiation safety and compliance status. 7. Financial and Resource Management: Develop and manage RSS budgets to ensure cost‑effective, high‑quality service delivery. Assist the Managing Director of EHS with budget preparation, analysis, and financial management for laboratory EHS programs. Collaborate with EHS Central Management, Systems & Programs to support cost‑allocation and cost‑recovery models related to laboratory EHS services. 8. Staff Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and develop managerial, professional, technical, and administrative staff within RSS. Oversee recruitment, selection, performance management, coaching, and career development for RSS staff. Foster a learning‑oriented, collaborative culture that supports innovation, high safety standards, and professional growth. 9. Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Promote innovation and organizational learning within RSS and the broader laboratory EHS program. Encourage new ideas and approaches that enhance safety, reduce administrative burden, improve sustainability, and simplify compliance for laboratory clients. 10. Records and Information Management: In partnership with EHS Records Management, establish and maintain records and documentation systems that meet legal and regulatory requirements and support effective RSS operations. 11. Client Service and External Support: Serve as a primary point of escalation for complex or sensitive RSS issues and work collaboratively with schools and affiliates to resolve them. Oversee radiation‑related services provided under contr

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