RAM Inspector Trainer

Job Description

Health Physicist II

Works under the direction of the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Conducts independent inspections and investigations for complex level uses (see list in the Essential Job Functions section) of radioactive material licensed operations to assure compliance with 25 Texas Administrative Code 289 (TAC). Prepares and submits complex, and highly advanced compliance and inspection activity reports to the Operations Branch for review and evaluation. May provide testimony on highly technical radiological health physics issues. Participates as a member of the DSHS Emergency Response Team during exercises and actual emergency responses. Performs health physics activities and compliance duties, as assigned. Responds to general information inquiries. Reports to the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager.

Assists the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager with:

1) development and maintenance of policy, procedure, and inspector qualification training program;
2) developing agenda and presenting training at staff meetings;
3) developing inspection activity reporting system procedure & training material;
4) monitoring and promoting the training of new radioactive materials inspectors in health physics topics, regulations, and radiation control program procedures;
5) preparation for program reviews by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and
6) monitoring and performing the daily tasks required to implement and maintain the Reciprocity and GLA Self Evaluation Programs.  

Essential Job Functions:
Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned

(45%) Exercises extensive latitude in the planning, scheduling, and conducting independent inspections and investigations for all types and uses of sources of radiation (see list below). Plans, coordinates, and conducts environmental radiological surveys involving all types and uses of sources of radiation. Evaluates and provides radiation assessments and risk assessments for all types and uses of sources of radiation. Performs dose and risk assessments from exposure to sources of radiation. Performs radiological assessments to determine adequacy of radiation shielding in accelerator facilities, radiation source containers, or storage areas. Evaluates radiological sampling data or calculates radiation doses from internal and/or external exposure to radiation to determine the effects of the exposure to individuals involved in radiological incidents or other events to determine the radiological health and the environmental impact. May act in a decision making or leadership role during inspections and investigations. Assists other staff during inspections and investigations. Prepares independent scientific and technical inspection and investigation reports for all types and uses of sources of radiation. Submits comprehensive inspection and investigation reports using Inspection Branch's guidelines to assure the application of radiological health standards as set forth in the Texas Regulation Control Act, Texas Administrative Code, and various federal regulations. Follows information protection policies. Evaluate statistical radiological and environmental radiation data and interprets results regarding their environmental impact. Provides technical consultation concerning compliance procedures and risk assessments regarding the use of radiation sources to Radiation Section staff, other state and federal agencies, and members of the public. Provides technical assistance to the public, regulated community, program staff, and other state and federal agencies concerning risk assessments from sources of radiation. Assists in the interpretation of regulations.

(30%) At the direction of the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager: 1) assists with the monitoring and promotion of inspector training, technical reviewers, and investigators for full qualification in a timely manner to achieve goals set forth in the RAM Branch Inspection Manual and the training procedure; 2) provides training for new and fully qualified inspectors, technical reviewers, and investigators; 3) provides highly technical input regarding the program's guidelines for performing inspections and investigations and assists in revisions and maintenance of the related documentation; 4) makes observations and recommendations for the inspection program to maintain efficiency and inspection proficiency; and 5) provides and maintains the record for refresher training for fully qualified inspectors, and advises technical reviewers, and investigators and their managers on maintaining their refresher training program.

(10%) At the direction of the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager, assists with creation and revision of the following: 1) policy, procedure & inspection manual; 2) inspector qualification training materials & presentations; 3) agenda and topics for presentation at Branch staff meetings; 4) refresher training topics for presentation to inspectors as needed to meet NRC criteria; 5) inspection activity reporting system (IDM & Security) procedure & training material; 6) RCP Radioactive Materials Branch information notices & enforcement policy documents for distribution and web site posting; and 7) the Radioactive Materials Branch inspection due list following the Branch procedure for data retrieval, spreadsheet development & formatting, and posting on the Branch SharePoint site.

(05%) At the direction of the Radioactive Materials Inspection Branch Manager, assists with: 1) database maintenance, data entry, and quality control; and 2) monitoring of compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission agreement requirements and preparation for periodic Nuclear Regulatory Commission program reviews.

(05%) Performs duties as assigned as a member of the Radiological Emergency Response Team in support of the State Radiological Emergency Management Plan. Travels to radiological incidents and emergencies with little notice.

(05%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

The following is a listing of complex level duties referenced as essential duties: processors of loose radioactive material (RAM), multi-disciplinary facilities using RAM including medical, academic, research & development, and manufacture & distributors, other highly advanced technologies, accelerators, commercial manufacture and distribution, transportation packaging evaluation, other advanced technologies, radioactive waste and NORM processors, broad scope authorizations, decontamination services, industrial radiography, teletherapy, wireline services, nuclear pharmacy, nuclear medicine facilities, single-discipline academic research and development, self-contained irradiators, unshielded (pool) irradiators, mobile scanning services, other services (e.g. leak testing & analysis, instrument calibration, device installation & repair, source exchange, etc.), tracer studies, in-vitro laboratory, industrial x-ray radiography, lasers, remote controlled brachytherapy, large academic and medical facilities, fixed and portable nuclear gauges, eye applicators, gas chromatograph, reciprocity, bone mineral analyzer, medical in-vitro, and other uses not otherwise classified as advanced or highly advanced. Work site and environmental conditions for this job include: Travel 20% day and 25% overnight; Working irregular hours; Working indoors and outdoors; Working on ladders or scaffolding; Exposure to excessive heat, humidity, cold, dampness, noise; Exposure to dry atmosphere, grease, oils and combustibles; Exposure to ionizing radiation; Working in varied weather and on varied terrain. Physical demands of this job include lifting up to 35 pounds, pulling up to 35 pounds, carrying up to 35 pounds, and pushing up to 35 pounds. Physical demands of this job also include repeated bending, simple grasping, finger/manual dexterity, standing, crawling, kneeling, climbing stairs, vision, reaching above shoulder, dual simultaneous grasping, sitting, walking, twisting the upper body, stooping, climbing ladders, and hearing.  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of

• the Texas radioactive materials regulatory program, including the Texas and federal radioactive materials regulations, Texas radioactive materials inspection procedures, and federal regulatory guidance for radioactive materials.

Ability to

• perform radioactive materials inspections and respond to incidents and emergencies as a fully qualified inspector.
• interpret laws and regulations for both internal and external customers.
  
  
• communicate technical information at various levels of understanding.
  
  
• communicate effectively and to be tactful and diplomatic in adverse situations.
  
  
• detect and evaluate radiation and public health hazards.
  
  
• perform mathematical calculations of radioactive half-live, activity,
• time/distance/shielding, exposure rates, dose determinations, counting statistics, and other highly advanced environmental quality work.
  
  
• coordinate and prioritize workloads with minimal supervision.  
  
  

Skilled in

• technical writing, verbal communication, interview techniques, and protection of sensitive security related information
• the collection of soil, water, air, and other environmental samples.
  
  

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None