Assistant Director Environmental Health and Safety

Position Title:

Job Group:

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Job Description:

Iowa State University is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Director of Environmental Health and Safety responsible for leading the universitys Radiation Safety program within the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) department. As a key member of the EH&S management team this role oversees the design implementation and evaluation of radiation safety initiatives across campus. The Assistant Director ensures compliance with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (as an agreement state of the NRC) and supports the safe integration of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices into ISUs teaching research veterinary and laboratory operations. This role also supervises professional staff manages program resources and leads strategic initiatives to support a strong culture of safety and compliance across Iowa State University.

Main Duties of the Role

Program Leadership & Administration

• Advise campus stakeholders to safeguard life and property against fire explosion and related hazards.
• Establish program budgets approve purchases and coordinate monthly activity reports.
• Determine programmatic and staff work assignments and areas of responsibility.
• Lead program planning goal setting performance measurement and quality assurance/quality control activities.
• Manage performance evaluations monitor/approve leave and oversee professional skills development.
• Provide mentoring and guidance to junior and new staff.

Radiation Safety Program Management (RSO Responsibilities)

• Serve as Iowa State Universitys Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and primary radiation safety contact.
• Manage and maintain the institutions broad-scope radioactive materials license.
• Ensure ALARA principles are implemented across all programs.
• Support over 150 radioactive material users in 80 laboratories including 100 radioactive material shipments annually.
• Conduct laboratory audits contamination surveys dosimetry training instrument calibrations and inventory control activities.
• Oversee x-ray devices lasers calibration units and other radiation-emitting equipment.
• Support veterinary nuclear medicine and radiology programs including oversight for diagnostic X-ray systems and the therapeutic linear accelerator.
• Review radiation-related research submissions to university committees.

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

• Establish and maintain programs that ensure compliance with federal state and local regulations.
• Interface with the Radiation Safety Committee and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Radiological Health.
• Draft maintain and distribute compliance manuals procedures guidelines and web-based resources.
• Prepare and submit regulatory reports and updates within required timeframes.
• Manage IT systems and processes that support regulatory-required records and safety training.

Campus Engagement & Technical Guidance

• Meet with campus clients to assess needs expectations and staff performance.
• Assist research personnel in meeting regulatory requirements and mitigating radiological hazards.
• Develop and deliver safety training outreach materials and resource documents.
• Analyze program metrics and feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Represent the Radiation Safety Group at internal and external meetings.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Support ISUs emergency response program for nuclear and radiological incidents.
• Identify risk-based processes materials and areas requiring enhanced emergency preparedness.
• Assist with campus preparedness for fire chemical radiological biological and gas-related hazards.
• Participate in emergency drills and review associated SOPs plans and response strategies.
• Provide guidance during university emergencies including evenings weekends and holidays.
• Serve as departmental duty officer for at least two weeks each year coordinating emergency response outside regular business hours.

Who Were Looking For

About Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S)

EH&S is an employing unit that reports to the Office of General Counsel and supports the Iowa State University community by preventing illness and injury protecting the environment and promoting a proactive culture of safety and preparedness. The department provides effective training fosters collaborative partnerships maintains technical expertise and delivers exemplary service in support of the universitys mission. The Radiation Safety program is a critical part of EH&S supporting scientific research teaching veterinary medicine and high-tech campus operations.

Level Guidelines
Aware of key annual objectives of department or work unit
Understands linkage between daily activities and achievement of annual objectives of department/work unit and explains to direct reports
Focus on ISUs mission and meeting department or work unit goals
Supervises a small department or work team
Often is a working supervisor with direct previous experience performing work of those supervised
Has full management responsibility for direct reports specifically the authority to hire fire and counsel; may share part of responsibility with higher level management
Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope per policy

For guaranteed consideration please apply before May 09 2026.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Chemistry Industrial Hygiene Biology/Molecular/Microbiology Plant Pathology Occupational Safety/Health Health Physics or related field

• Technical training covering OSHA EPA NFPA or related workplace regulations guidelines and standards

• Experience developing and administering safety training written safety publications and policy development

• Cross-functional experience in general safety industrial hygiene occupational safety/health chemical radiological or biological safety

• Research experience or work-related experience at a college university or research institution

• Relevant professional certification such as Certified Health Physicist (CHP) Certified Safety Professional (CSP) Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)

To apply for this position please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process please email or call or Toll Free: 1-.

Why Choose ISU

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program

Appointment Type:

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

Time Type:

Pay Grade:

Original Posting Date:

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race color age ethnicity religion national origin pregnancy sexual orientation genetic information sex marital status disability or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity 2680 Beardshear Hall 515 Morrill Road Ames Iowa 50011 Tel. email .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.