Vacancy Notice No. 2012/216

Position and Grade: Laboratory Technician (G-6)

Organizational Unit: Radiation Protection of Workers and Monitoring Unit

Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section

Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

Duty Station: Vienna, Austria

Issue Date: 20 April 2012

Application Deadline: 19 May 2012

Type of Appointment: Either a Fixed-term appointment (if the candidate already holds a Fixed-term appointment) or Temporary-assistance appointment (in all other cases) may be offered, both subject to a probationary period of 1 year

CCOG codes: 2.J

Organizational Setting

The Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety develops and maintains standards for radiation protection, radioactive waste safety and safety in the transport of radioactive material that enable the beneficial uses of radiation to be exploited while ensuring appropriate protection of workers, the public and patients. It also assists Member States in the implementation of these standards and provides related services.

The Radiation Safety and Monitoring Section is responsible for the delineation of an international programme to protect workers, patients and the public from all types of exposure to natural or artificial radiation, according to the most recent scientific knowledge and information.

The Radiation Protection of Workers and Monitoring Unit is responsible for the provision of radiation safety technical services for staff members and experts who may be exposed to ionizing radiation due to activities conducted by the IAEA. The Laboratory Technician is a member of the team responsible for providing operational radiation protection services, including workplace monitoring, training, safety audits and field missions.

Main Purpose

The Laboratory Technician reports to the Operational Service Group Leader (Radiation Protection Specialist) and is responsible for carrying out routine and special radiation protection operations to fulfill the requirements of the Radiation Safety Regulations for the laboratories in Seibersdorf. He/she may be required to participate in field emergency response activities. He/she serves as the back-up for the Radiation Protection Specialist at the IAEA Seibersdorf laboratories on issues related to operational radiation protection.

Working Relationships

The Laboratory Technician works independently on the organization, management and delivery of customer services related to operational radiation protection services. He/she provides recommendations and options to the Radiation Protection Specialist on how the service could be improved in terms of quality and efficiency, taking into account the needs of the customers. The Laboratory Technician interacts frequently with other staff in the team and has contact with occupationally exposed workers to convey factual information on the operational radiation protection requirements and with technical staff concerning the equipment, supplies and set-up needed for the measurements.

NOTE: The incumbent will be considered to be a radiation worker and be subject to an appropriate programme of physical and special medical surveillance arranged by the IAEA.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Provide technical support services for workplace monitoring for the IAEA’s own operations and for operations under its control or supervision to support the implementation of the Radiation Safety Regulations on IAEA premises, particularly at the IAEA Seibersdorf laboratories.

Control and perform special measurements of alpha contaminated waste packs before delivery for disposal from the Nuclear Material Laboratory (NML) in Seibersdorf.

Assist in maintaining and implementing a quality assurance programme for the operational survey activities in the laboratories, e.g. develop and review working instructions and procedures, archive records of measurements and results, participate in safety reviews.

Lecture at training courses on radiation protection.

Carry out workplace monitoring during decommissioning of laboratory installations and equipment.

Provide field assistance for radiation protection support in missions and intervention work upon request.

Provide support for radiation protection related matters during testing of technical and fire alarm systems at the laboratories.

Handling of radioactive (nuclear, reference and waste) materials and sealed sources in laboratories.

Maintain and calibrate monitoring instruments.

Participate in on-call duties on operational radiation protection outside working hours.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of operational radiation protection and radiation monitoring.

Demonstrated ability in use of survey meters and alpha/gamma spectrometry.

Knowledge of international transport regulations for radioactive material.

Knowledge in waste management and conditioning.

Practical experience working within either an ISO 9000 or ISO 17025 quality system desirable.

Knowledge of industrial safety and fire protection.