Director of Radiation Safety Services

Position Summary

The Director of Radiation Safety Services (RSS) / Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) leads a multidisciplinary team within Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) responsible for the University’s radiation safety program across all Harvard campuses and affiliated institutions.

The Director establishes and oversees standards, processes, communications, training, and systems to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local radiation regulations and to promote safe, prudent practices in all research and laboratory environments. They provide strategic leadership and clear communication of EHS and radiation safety requirements to the Radiation Safety Committee, faculty, staff, and students.

Key responsibilities include program assessment and improvement, operational and strategic planning, budget and staff management, performance measurement, and radiation hazard identification and mitigation. The Director’s team delivers radiation safety training, inspections, audits, surveys, and emergency response.

In consultation with the Radiation Safety Committee, the Director is accountable for the overall direction, effectiveness, and long‑term success of the University’s radiation safety program. They also represent the University to regulatory and public safety agencies on radiation and related EHS matters and may lead or contribute to broader EHS projects as assigned.

The Director collaborates closely with technical specialists within lab safety and across EHS and serves as a member of the EHS leadership team. In this role, they partner with other EHS Directors to develop, implement, and enhance programs that drive strong compliance and high standards of safety, health, and environmental performance, while fostering innovation and professional growth within the team.

This is a hybrid position that requires substantial on‑campus presence in accordance with established Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) office practices.

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. 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 contract to affiliates on the Cambridge and Boston campuses. Coordinate with Harvard’s Occupational Health program on matters involving radiation exposure, medical surveillance, and worker health protection.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• B.S. in health physics, nuclear engineering, occupational health, environmental management, or related scientific or technical disciplines.
• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience or equivalent training experience in management of EHS personnel, programs, and budgets including significant experience for radiation safety programs.
• Must have, or be able to obtain within a reasonable period, the education, training, and experience required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to serve as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO), including eligibility to be named as RSO on the institution’s radioactive materials license, or an equivalent combination that meets MA DPH criteria.
• Professional recognition as a Certified Health Physicist by the ABHP is required.
• Knowledge of the Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) required.
• Previous supervisory experience required
• Requires proven ability to motivate, mentor, and coach professional and administrative staff.
• Must be proficient and experienced in the management and operation of a large university or broad scope or by-product materials license.
• Must have a working knowledge of radiation and transportation regulations and professional standards of practice for radioactive material use in a university environment. Working knowledge of NRC, DOT, MA-DPH, EPA, FDA, and DLS regulations required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Masters or PhD in radiological sciences or equivalent preferred
• Professional recognition as a Certified Laser Safety Officer, Certified Safety Professional, Certified Industrial Hygienist, or other EHS-related professional certification is preferred.
• Advanced training and experience in laboratory research environment preferred.
• Must have strong leadership, organizational, oral, and written communication skills, including training program delivery.
• Excellent customer orientation and a bias for action.
• The candidate must be able to establish effective working relationships with laboratory managers, researchers, and other stakeholders.
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment handling multiple assignments, working independently on multiple projects and priorities, and ability to make sound decisions in a timely fashion are critical.
• Experience working in an environment with organized labor is desired.
• Skill in implementing and assessing occupational health and safety compliance programs is required.
• A strong focus on safety program implementation for diverse laboratory related projects is required.