POSITION DESCRIPTION QUESTIONNAIRE
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY
To expedite and facilitate the PDQ review process, please send the PDQ and Org Chart
electronically to marshag@unr.edu for initial review before routing PDQ for approval signatures.
Questions - call UNR-HR at 682-6114
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INSTRUCTIONS: See http://www.unr.edu/vpaf/hr/compensation/placement.html for complete instructions.
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Name of Incumbent(s) (if applicable): Myung Chul Jo
Position #: 11102
Current Title: Health Physicist / Radiation Officer
(77863;3H;CM3581;CC354;E)
Department: Environmental Health & Safety
Current Range: 4
College/Division: VPR
Action Proposed: (check all that apply)
( ) New position : Proposed Range:
Proposed Title:
( X ) Title Change, Proposed Title: Radiation Safety Officer / Health Physicist
( ) Proposed Reassignment from Range
to Range
(X ) Revised PDQ only (no change in range or title)
I certify that the statements in this description are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Employee’s Signature
Date
I/we have reviewed the statements in this form and they accurately reflect the job assignments.
Immediate Supervisor’s Signature
Date
Director/Chair/Dean Stephanie A. Woolf
Director, EHS
Date
Approved for Salary Placement Committee review.
Pres / Vice Pres / Vice Prov Signature Marsha Read
Date
Interim Vice President, Research
Action Approved by the President (Completed by Faculty HR):
Position #:
EEO Code:
CUPA Code:
Job Class Code:
Exempt: Yes or No Census Code:
Range:
Effective Date:
Approved Title:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Employee Signature
Date
(Employee sign and send to HR for personnel file after PDQ approval for personnel file)
Rev: 2/5/2008
Position Description – Radiation Safety Officer / Health Physicist
Page 2
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position and its role in the
university. Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division
which reflects the position in it as well as those supervised in the department. (This section is
used for advertisement of the position.)
The Radiation Safety Officer/ Health Physicist formulates the ionizing and non-ionizing Radiation
Safety Program which must be consistent with applicable federal and state regulations governing the
use of radioactive material and radiation. This position administers and directs the operations of the
Radiation Safety Program at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), including byproduct materials,
naturally occurring radioactive materials, x-ray and accelerator, laser, electric and magnetic fields, and
radiofrequency radiations.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job (percentage
first with heading and then bulleted information).
50% - Radiation Safety Program Management
 Ensures that all radioactive materials are properly ordered, received, used, stored, handles,
shipped, and disposed of according to applicable federal and state laws, regulations and
guidelines
 Investigates radioactive accidents and incidents and overexposures to determine the cause
and takes steps to prevent recurrence
 Provides consultation and advice on the degree of hazards associated with radiation and the
effectiveness of control measures
 Advises and assists all radiation workers in all matters pertaining to radiation safety, including
instructing and training of workers and others in the safe use of radioactive materials and
radiation sources
 Supervises radiation personnel dosimetry program and calibrations of radiation detection
instruments
 Engages in continued research and development to improve radiation control devices and
procedures
 Evaluates hazard potential and adequacy of protective measures for existing and proposed
radioactive material usage
 Provide assistance in laser safety: calculation of laser protection eyewear optical density,
maximum permissible exposure calculation, and nominal hazard zone determination
 Provide assistance in development of standard operating procedures, alignment procedures,
and laser facility design
25% - Personnel Management
 Supervises Radiation Technician Classified position, which includes development of work
standards and conducting annual performance evaluations
15% - Radiation Safety Committee Interface
 Reviews and advises the Radiation Safety Committee on all applications for use of radioactive
materials
 Advises the Radiation Safety Committee in formulating policy for the Radiation Safety Program
at UNR
10% - Radiation Safety Communication
 Represents University in dealing with government agencies regarding radiation safety.
 Acts as spokesperson for the University on matters pertaining to the Radiation Safety Program
Position Description – Radiation Safety Officer / Health Physicist
Page 3
3. Describe the level of freedom to take action and make decisions with or without
supervision and how the results of the work performed impact the department, division and/or
the university as a whole.
The Radiation Safety Officer manages the radioactive materials license from the State of Nevada
which allows the use of radioactive material and radiation producing devices at UNR. On matters of
radiation safety, the Radiation Safety Officer is authorized to intervene directly to prevent conditions
hazardous to people or the environment, or that affect regulatory compliance. The University’s
radioactive materials license contains specific conditions that require evidence of programmatic
attention and measures of compliance. Loss of the University’s radioactive materials license would
adversely impact university research and instructional programs.
4. Describe the knowledge, skills (to include cognitive requirement and verbal and written
communication), and abilities (to include task complexity, problem solving, creativity and
innovation) essential to successful performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Radiation and health physics
 Federal and state regulations on radiation safety and usage
 Radiation source hazards, ability to calibrate portable radiation detection instruments, ability to
conduct radiation/contamination surveys and ensure safe transportation of radioactive material
 Radiation detection and measurements theory
Skills:
 Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with regulators, solve problems that cross
administrative lines, and to be persuasive in a collegial manner in order to gain understanding
and cooperation of individuals
 Effective written and oral communication
 Effective leadership and supervisory/management
 Project management skills to coordinate successful conclusion of projects
 Use of radiation detection instruments and ability to conduct radiation/contamination surveys
Ability to:
 Prepare reports on radiation safety and usage
 Provide appropriate training to radiation workers and students and faculty working with ionizing
radiation, laser, electric and magnetic fields, and radiofrequency radiations
 Manage radioactive waste, to obtain all necessary waste permits, to arrange waste package
and transportation to various waste disposal sites
 Manage the departmental budget in a financially responsible manner
5. Describe the type of personal contacts encountered in performing the duties of the job.
Explain the nature and purpose of these contacts: i.e., to provide services, to resolve
problems, to negotiate.
Internal:
 Personal contacts with all levels of radioactive material users - to carry out daily operations
and resolve problems which arise during radioactive (RAM) use, to schedule personnel
dosimeter exchanges, instrument calibrations, radiation waste collections, and to schedule
laboratory inspections
 EH&S and risk management colleagues at UNR and other Nevada System of Higher
Education (NSHE) campuses - to advise on radiation safety issues
Position Description – Radiation Safety Officer / Health Physicist


Page 4
University Administrators - to provide staff support relative to the Radiation Safety Program
University Communications Office and news media representatives as required - to respond to
inquiries from the news media about our Radiation Safety Program
External:
 Federal and state regulators - to prevent or resolve program deficiencies or violations
6. Indicate the minimum qualifications which are necessary in filling this position should it
become vacant. Please keep in mind the duties/responsibilities of the position rather than the
qualifications of the incumbent.
a.
Minimum educational level, including appropriate field, if any.
Bachelors Degree from a regionally accredited university with emphasis in radiological
sciences or health physics
b.
Minimum type and amount of work experience, in addition to the above required
education necessary for a person entering this position.
Bachelor’s Degree and five years or a Master’s Degree and three years or a Doctorate
and one year of experience in radiation safety program management, including nonionizing radiation, such as lasers, electric and magnetic fields, and radio frequency
sources; must meet Nevada Regulatory Commission (NRC) and/or state Radiation
Safety Officer qualifications
Preferred Licenses or Certifications:
Certification by the American Board of Health Physics
c.
Indicate any license or certificate required for this position.
None