Rick Munoz Email and Phone Number

Nuclear Material Safety and Security Consultant

AdSTM is the General Contractor for the Office of International Programs (OIP) with the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The NRC sponsored program assists regulatory authorities to establish long term regulatory control over safe and secure use of radiation sources in a manner consistent with the IAEA Code of Conduct. I work with the Radioactive Sources Regulatory Partnership (RSRP) in the capacity of a Health Physicist and Senior Engineering consultant to countries outside the United States providing expertise with Nuclear Materials Safety, Security and Regulatory Compliance covering all Medical, Industrial, Academic and Research uses of Nuclear Materials.

Certified nuclear materials inspector, duties included assessing licensee performance in safety & security operations involving nuclear materials. Conducted routine & reactive inspections evaluating allegations & responding in accordance with directives & reviewed incidents to identify direct & contributing root causes. Evaluated poorly implemented or performing licensee programs & recommending the appropriate level of enforcement action. Prepared reports of inspections & investigations describing observations & evaluation of the status of compliance, conclusions regarding conditions which may have an adverse effect on H&S & recommendations for enforcement and licensing actions. Assisted the materials Reciprocity Program for State licensees entering NRC jurisdiction. Participated on the Integrated Materials Performance Evaluation Program team. I have extensive working knowledge of NRC regulatory & enforcement policies as well as associated guidance through the development of escalated enforcement cases coverjng a wide range of enforcement activities & program areas as well as findings as a result of allegation review. Knowledgeable in the handling of Safeguards Information. Coordinated with enforcement & allegation staff at the regional level & at HQ level during enforcement case development, briefed staff & NRC management during regional & HQ panels, coordinated activities between NRC & Agreement State staff members & management, coordinated enforcement activities with staff & management in other NRC regions, consulted with & traveled with Office of Investigations personnel during licensee investigations & interviews, coordinated predecisional enforcement panels in the region & at licensee facilities, coordinated management meetings with licensees, developed background materials & developed Confirmatory Action Letters. I functioned as emergency response Site Liaison with Louisiana, coordinated with the hurricanes Katrina & Rita response operations.

As Certified Decommissioning inspector, performed radiological & environmental protection & inspections of facilities using byproduct, source and/or special nuclear materials. Participated as liaison with federal agencies, DOT, EPA, FDA & state officials to assist in radiological activities, including accidents & incidents. Evaluated the adequacy of the licensee facility systems to determine adequate safeguarded against hazards including airborne radioactivity, contamination control, release of radioactivity to the environment & radiation exposure. Performed reactive & team inspections of licensees to assess design & other criteria, to observe & evaluate the adequacy of licensee controls, organization, procedures & practices & effect on operational safety & compliance. Conducted independent restricted area, effluent, & environmental monitoring at licensed facilities to evaluate licensee control methods & systems. Performed inspections of licensee safety systems for the issuance of a license. Explained inspection findings before licensee & HQ management. Responded/investigated reported problems, accidents, incidents, or unusual circumstances at facilities. Prepared documents needed for the allegation review board, ensured necessary documentation of board’s decision, & conducted inspections necessary for allegation closure. Prepared closeout documentation for allegations & recommended enforcement action to management when inspection findings indicated a significant violation of NRC rules & regulations. Prepared enforcement documentation, including Notice of Violation, in accordance with established enforcement procedure. Developed the enforcement panel briefing & participated in enforcement activities. Participated in emergency drills & exercises as a participant or evaluator in order to maintain the emergency preparedness effectiveness of the agency & to ascertain the licensee’s ability to effectively manage & control emergency response.

Program Manager/Escalated Enforcement Program

As a Senior Health Physicist- Program Manger of the Escalated Enforcement (EE) Program, I provided technical supervision & coordination. I assured the timely processing of compliance & enforcement actions. Provided technical support for the RAM, X-Ray & Non-Ionizing area Compliance Program members & functioned as liaison with regional inspection staff. I provided guidance to ensure completion of review of reports & issuance of proper escalated enforcement actions. I worked with the EE team to perform tasks by identifying objectives, scheduling completion dates & by providing technical support. Coordinated any EE actions within the Bureau, & interfaced with the Office of General Counsel, Texas Attorney General’s Office & other State/ Federal Agencies. Performed special inspections as necessary & highly technical review of inspection, investigation & activity reports for all types of licensees/registrants submitted by regional & central office staff to verify accurate documentation of findings, & application of radiological health standards set forth in Title 25 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 289 (TAC) & the Radiation Control Act (Act). I performed EE actions on referred cases, & prepared cases for Administrative Actions referred to the Texas Attorney General’s Office for legal action, prepared orders, complaints & preliminary reports for civil penalties, chaired all EE conferences & represented the Agency presenting testimony on health physics issues related to Enforcement conferences & hearings. I participated in Radiological Emergency Response Team Activities as a member of the State Radiological Emergency Response Team. I assisted other staff during inspections & investigations & performed other technical duties as assigned. I was assigned as Team Leader of inspection/investigations of major license operations.

Instructor/Radiology Program