Job Description

Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Job no: 494233
Work Type: Staff full-time
Location: Abilene
Categories: Staff, NEXT Lab

About ACU

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

Environmental Health and Safety Officer

Abilene, Texas

NEXT

Exempt Full-time

• Oversight of Environmental Health and Safety at NEXT Lab
• Radiation Protection & Licensing Management
• Beryllium Exposure Control & Industrial Hygiene
• Chemical Safety and Hygiene
• Training & Safety Culture Development
• Audits, Monitoring & Reporting
• Stakeholder Communication & Coordination

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing Oversight

• Ensure compliance with NRC, DOE, OSHA, EPA, and state and other applicable environmental and safety regulations.
• Develop and maintain EHS policies, procedures, and manuals for NEXT Lab.
• Coordinate with Licensing Engineer and QA Manager to align EHS programs with reactor licensing, regulatory requirements, and NEXT QA/QC.

Radiation Protection & Licensing Management

• Serve as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) or support RSO responsibilities.
• Oversee NEXT Lab radiation licensing for sealed/unsealed sources, personnel dosimetry, and reactor operations.
• Track, renew, and maintain compliance with all applicable radiation licenses.
• Implement ALARA practices and radiation monitoring programs.

Beryllium Exposure Control & Industrial Hygiene

• Develop and implement beryllium exposure control plans in accordance with best practices.
• Monitor workplace air and surfaces for beryllium contamination.
• Ensure appropriate PPE, engineering controls, and exposure monitoring systems and procedures are in place.
• Train staff and researchers on beryllium hazards and response protocols.

Chemical Safety and Hygiene

• Coordinate with ACU EHS to ensure that NEXT Lab purchasing, shipping, receiving, storage, use, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and chemical waste meets or exceeds the standards of the ACU
• Chemical Hygiene Plan and ACU Laboratory Safety Plan.
• Coordinate with NEXT Lab Chemistry team to ensure that the chemical inventory is properly managed.
• Ensure that proper PPE is available and used for laboratory activities involving potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Ensure that general safety practices are used in compliance with ACU and policies from other authorities.

Training & Safety Culture Development

• Ensure EHS orientation and specialized safety training for staff, students, and contractors is available as needed.
• Develop and/or procure training modules for radiation safety, beryllium handling, and hazardous waste management that is specific for NEXT Lab.
• Promote a proactive culture of openness, safety, compliance, and accountability across NEXT Lab.

Audits, Monitoring & Reporting

• Conduct internal audits, safety inspections, and exposure monitoring.
• Prepare and submit reports required by regulatory agencies.
• Track corrective actions and verify closure of identified issues.

Stakeholder Communication & Coordination

• Act as liaison with regulatory authorities on EHS matters.
• Communicate safety updates and compliance requirements to NEXT Lab leadership and help determine broad communication plans.
• Ensure transparent reporting to stakeholders and regulatory agencies.

Skills

• Knowledge of NRC/DOE radiation licensing requirements.
• Expertise in radiation protection, beryllium exposure control, hydrogen fluoride safety, mixed waste, and industrial hygiene.
• Risk assessment, incident investigation, and emergency response capabilities.
• Effective communication and training skills.

Professional

• Bachelor’s degree. Preferred major in Environmental Health & Safety, Nuclear Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 5–7 years of EHS experience in nuclear or high-hazard environments.
• Direct experience with radiation licensing management and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with beryllium safety requirements and industrial hygiene practices.
• Familiarity with safe handling practices of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride.
• Familiarity with regulations and safe disposal practices for hazardous chemicals and mixed waste.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Health Physicist (CHP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) preferred.

Personal

• High integrity and commitment to compliance and worker protection.
• Strong attention to detail and proactive approach to hazard mitigation.
• Effective communicator and trainer with ability to influence safety culture.
• Calm and decisive under emergency conditions.
• Commitment to NEXT Lab’s mission and safe, innovative, and responsible research.

NEXT Lab Core Values
The key principle of this job is to support ACU’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. Along with this, and the NEXT mission, our core values are the fundamental beliefs and guiding principles that shape our culture, behavior, and decisions.

1. Christ-like Character
   We lead with humility, integrity, and wisdom. We strive to be honest mentors who reflect Christ in our actions and relationships.
2. Driven to Deliver
   We take initiative, work hard, and stay curious. We’re proactive, creative problem-solvers who are always learning and pushing forward to get things done.
3. Better Together
   We believe in the power of collaboration. We communicate openly, support one another, and bring a spirit of respect, fun, and teamwork to everything we do.

An ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong desire to integrate into a team that shares our core values and possess the skills listed below. Candidates who align well with our values but may not yet have all of the desired skills may still be considered.

• Able to lift 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Able to stand 1 hour or more.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets.  Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.

Advertised: October 22, 2025 Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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