JOB TITLE: RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM MANAGER

JOB CODE: 14340

DEFINITION: This is professional and managerial work directing a radiation protection or nuclear safety program area in the Department of Environmental Protection.

An employee in this job serves as a regional program manager for the radiation protection program or as a division manager in central office. Work involves planning, developing, coordinating, implementing and evaluating program activities within the assigned area of responsibility. Work requires coordinating the activities of the assigned units with other organizational units; determining goals, objectives and priorities; and evaluating the effectiveness of the regional or statewide program. Work also involves developing, implementing or recommending changes to regulations, policies and procedures; reviewing proposed legislation for possible impact on the assigned program; and determining and preparing budgetary requests for the program. Employees may be professionally responsible for the engineering work performed by their unlicensed subordinates. Work is assigned in the form of broad program goals and objectives, and is reviewed by the bureau director or regional director through reports and conferences for attainment of goals and objectives and overall program quality and effectiveness.

• In a regional office, serves as a regional radiation protection program manager by directing the regulation of radioactive materials programs and radiation producing equipment and protective facilities to ensure compliance with Commonwealth and federal regulations governing radiation protection.

• In the central office, serves as a division manager by directing the planning, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of the statewide radiation control, radon, nuclear safety or decommissioning program.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Establishes program priorities and objectives to ensure that program goals are met.

• Directs and assists in emergency response activities involving accidents and incidents at nuclear power reactors in the Commonwealth and adjacent states and participates in exercises and drills at nuclear power reactors.

• Conducts or directs special studies on new methods of evaluating and controlling radiation hazards.

• Assists in the formulation of regulations and proposed legislation for the control of radiological health hazards.

• Represents the agency, bureau or regional office in dealing with federal officials and other Commonwealth agencies.

• Negotiates and administers contracts with the federal government dealing with special projects in the field of radiological health.

• Evaluates the inspection and compliance activities of field offices to ensure statewide uniformity.

• Advises and consults with representatives of management, professional groups and regulatory agencies, such as the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, on matters relating to radiation control and nuclear safety.

• Makes presentations to scientific and technical organizations and at public meetings concerning issues related to radon, radiation protection and nuclear safety.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Travels to various work sites.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of radiation health physics.

• Knowledge of the biological, chemical and physical sciences related to radiation protection and health physics.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the collection and analysis of radioactive surveys and radiological data.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies and procedures governing radiation protection.

• Knowledge of radioactive waste disposal techniques and procedures.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the evaluation of radiation exposure.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in investigating complaints involving exposure to, or high levels of, radiation.

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques and safety precautions used to conduct safety inspections, onsite surveys and investigations of radiation producing facilities and equipment.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques and safety precautions used to identify, control and mitigate radiation hazards and radon problems.

• Knowledge of the operation, calibration and preventative maintenance required for radiation detection and environmental sampling equipment.

• Knowledge of radiation emergency response procedures.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret written materials such as laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Ability to read and interpret data from meters and other measuring devices.

• Ability to read and interpret data presented in graphs, tables, charts and narrative formats.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Knowledge of federal rules and regulations concerning design, construction and operation of nuclear facilities.

• Knowledge of the diverse aspects of environmental and safety issues related to nuclear facilities or their associated fuel cycles.

• Knowledge of the technical and regulatory aspects of nuclear site decontamination and decommissioning.

• Ability to determine the appropriate level of enforcement required to encourage or compel compliance with departmental rules and regulations.

• Ability to independently conduct, or direct the conduct of, special studies on new methods of evaluating and controlling radiation hazards.

• Ability to negotiate effectively with federal government officials and facility operators on important and sensitive issues affecting the radiation protection program.

• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and training sessions for a wide range of audiences, including departmental staff, facility operators, industry groups, government officials, consultants, special interest groups and the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years as a Radiation Protection Program Supervisor or Nuclear Safety Specialist;

or

• Six years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards, that includes two years of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in health physics, radiation physics, radiation biology, nuclear physics or applied health physics;

or

• Six years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards, that includes two years of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree with major course work in the physical, biological or radiological sciences or in nuclear engineering, that includes 20 credits in health physics or radiological sciences;

or

• Five years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards, that includes two years of supervisory experience, and possession of a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists;

or

• Four years of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards, that includes two years of supervisory experience, and certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes two years of supervisory experience in the recognition, evaluation and control of radiation hazards.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require possession of an active Professional Engineer license issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

• Certain positions require possession of an active non-commercial PA Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

• Certain positions require current certification in mammography issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.