Radiation Safety Officer

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direction and supervision of the Senior Radiation Safety Officer, the Radiation Safety Officer will be responsible to:

• Provide technical support to the Occupational Health, and Safety (OHS) Director, thereby enabling the Branch to achieve its strategic objectives.
• Implement OHS/Radiation Safety activities per established policies and practices to achieve the Human Resource Management and Development plan and ultimately Jamaica Customs’ strategic objectives.
• Participate in the development and implementation of OHS/Radiation Safety programmes.
• Conduct OHS/radiation safety inspections and audits.
• Recommend risk mitigation measures for identified risks.
• Conduct radiation incident/accident investigation process.
• Assist supervisors and line managers in enforcing radiation safety and health rules, protocols, regulations, and codes.
• Assist with the development and implementation of OHS/Radiation Safety training.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Implementing the Agency’s Radiation Safety Programme
  • Assist in the radiation monitoring programme’s administrative function for dosimetry monitoring, maintenance of exposure records, an annual survey of radiation-generating equipment, radiation safety practices, and employee training.
  • Review activities and procedures involving actual or potential personnel exposure to radiation.
  • Apply to the Authority for authorisation to import or export radiation material.
  • Propose new programmes in radiation safety, including research of regulations, process development, development of SOPs and implementation.
  • Maintain inventory of the Agency’s radiation-generating equipment and radiation sources
  • Conduct annual audit/assessment of the programme and determine compliance with rules, regulations, procedures, license conditions etc
  • Investigate radiation overexposures arising from employee reports or dosimetry monitoring and communicate findings and recommendations to relevant individuals.
  • Ensure placement of appropriate signs and labelling with the standard radiation signs.
  • Development and implementation of waste management policy/plan for disused sources and radiation-generating equipment.
  • Perform leak tests on all sealed sources and maintain records accordingly.
  • Perform leak tests on all radiation-producing instruments/equipment authorised for use within the Agency.
  • Recommending and facilitating radiation safety training sessions
  • Assist with the development and implementation of radiation safety policies, procedures, protocols
  • Maintaining communication with employees on OHS matters via various communication methodologies.
  • Observing employees at work to determine compliance with safety precautions and safety equipment used
  • Inspecting places of work, environment, machinery, equipment, and buildings for conformance with established OHS standards per policies.
  • Ensuring that all safety signs are in place and visible to staff members.
  • Preparing reports on inspections and audits conducted for submission to the Senior Radiation Safety Officer for review.
  • Conducting job hazard analysis and risk assessments and ensuring employees are familiar with assessment results
  • Assisting with the design and implementation of programmes to prevent workplace accidents and illnesses

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Maintains customer service principles, standards and measurements;
• Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of OHS stakeholders in business/safety programme design.
• Ensures critical success factors are identified and meet expectations.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
• May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.
• Complies with Health & Safety Policies & Procedures.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong customer relations skills
• Excellent planning and organising skills
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Ability to build and maintain strong business relationships with health & safety institutions and other businesses and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to work as a team, innovatively and on own initiative.
• Ability to demonstrate high levels of integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt well under pressure situations.
• Ability to train, influence and motivate team members

Technical

• Knowledge of local and international legislation and practices governing occupational health and safety and radiation and nuclear safety
• An appreciation of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and the chemical processes and transformations they undergo. This includes the uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Knowledge of ILO Codes of Practice, OSHA Specifications, and ISO & ANSI Standards about Safety
• Knowledge of ISO 3100, IS 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2018
• Ability to train, influence and motivate team members
• Advanced IT skills in the Microsoft Office Suite Applications
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and techniques.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Science, Nuclear/Radiological Engineering or Occupational Health & Safety
• At least one (1) year of working experience in radiation safety/general safety in an industrial environment.
• Appropriate professional certification an asset:
  • Radiation Safety Officer Certification
  • Certified Hazardous Materials Manager
  • Certified Safety Professional
  • NEBOSH Certification
  • COSS certification.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialised software.
• The environment is fast-paced, with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and tight deadlines, which will result in high degrees of pressure on occasions.
• Work environment may involve exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations requiring extensive safety precautions, including protective equipment.
• Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dust, fumes, unpleasant odours, and loud noises.
• May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• May be required to stand for long periods at times.
• Work involves extensive activities in field operations.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by HRMD