Hazardous Material/Radiological Technician, Office of Research and Creative Scholarship

The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship invites applications for a Hazardous Material/Radiological Technician (Facilities Technician) . This position provides assistance to the Environmental Health Department in hazardous waste management, including biological and radioactive waste generated at the University of Montana. This employee will generally be working under the supervision of the Asst. Vice President for Research Compliance, in collaboration with other university Environmental Health specialists and research faculty/staff, but will need to make independent decisions to a limited extent in a number of disciplines. The Technician will need to have sufficient knowledge to work safely and accurately in the fields of environmental health, waste management, radiation safety, and lab safety as they assist the professional level staff for these program areas. The Technician will serve as the primary "on-call" point-of-contact in case of an after-hours emergency.

The Technician will manage the university's hazardous, radiological and biohazard waste, including interpreting state and federal laws and regulations relating to hazardous waste management; provide assistance in the handling, use, storage, and characteristics of hazardous materials, including compliance with procedures for collecting, preparing for transport, and disposal of hazardous materials; and respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials in a timely manner.

The specific duties for this position include:

• Assist with radiation compliance inspections so needs a good understanding of Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations related to laboratory compliance.
  
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local regulations (OSHA, NRC, EPA, DEQ).
  
  
• Conduct lab safety program including lab safety inspections for compliance, fume hood testing, emergency shower and eyewash inspections, and maintain lab emergency contact lists.
  
  
• Responsible for hazardous, biological and radioactive waste pickups across main campus and at other campus locations.
• Serve as administrative liaison with the university's Radiation Safety Committee and contracted Radiation Safety Officer.
• Waste management duties include chemical identification and hazard class segregation, bulking of flammable/chlorinated solvents into 55 gallon drums for disposal and properly managing aqueous waste which may include neutralization or dilution.
• Assist with managing radioactive dry, aqueous and solvent waste.
• Maintain waste logbooks, lab pack inventory sheets, bulk radioactive chemical log sheets, and other recordkeeping as needed.
• Perform quarterly laboratory radiation inspections, and monthly wipe tests at Chemistry Stores building.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position requires incumbent to retain all relevant EPA/OSHA/NRC certifications and trainings. The candidate will also have the opportunity to train, certify, and apply to serve as the University Radiation Safety Officer.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local regulations (OSHA, NRC, EPA, DEQ).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office to include Excel, Word and Outlook.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Completion of an EPA /OSHA approved 40-hour hazardous waste operations/emergency response training course and/or DOT Hazmat Employee Training Course (Must be completed within 6 months of date hired).

Physical Requirements

• Wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment and work in potential adverse environmental conditions.
• The handling of hazardous, biological and radioactive materials in waste collection and management.
• Lifting: Ground to 4 feet, up to 60 lbs.
• Right and left hand carry up to 60 lbs for 4 feet to pour into bulk drums and move 55-gallon drums weighing as much as 600 pounds with a drum cart.
• Pass a respirator physical and be fitted with an air-purifying respirator is required.

Physical Screen will be administered prior to a final offer of employment. Qualified candidates must meet minimum requirements and perform the primary functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline with a minimum of ten (10) hours in chemistry, or College education including major or minor in chemistry, physical sciences in addition to two (2) work experience in hazardous waste handling operations and lab safety/chemical handling; or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in environmental health, industrial hygiene, chemistry or in life and physical sciences, or degree in a scientific discipline with a minimum of thirty (30) hours in chemistry, in addition to four (4) years of closely related experience.
• Experience in hazardous waste handling operations in an institution of higher education.
• Prior experience with an academic radiation safety program, or as a Radiation Safety Officer.

About the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, UM , and Missoula

The Office of Research and Creative Scholarship supports research-driven student success and the innovative, creative and entrepreneurial endeavors of UM faculty, students and regional business partners from the initial stages of finding funding opportunities and making contact with appropriate University offices and people through award close-out and creation of new companies.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.



To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights
• City of Missoula
• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• The State of Montana
• Visit Montana

Position Details

Position Title: Hazardous Material/Radiological Technician (Facilities Tech)

Position Number: 069680

Department: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year,

Salary: $16.92/hr – Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan and will minimally be this posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS-MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.
4. Unofficial Academic Transcripts – Official transcripts will be required after hire .

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular