Hazardous Material Specialist I/II/III

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct soil, groundwater and hazardous waste material investigations to determine compliance with Federal, State and local laws, rules and regulations.
   
• Identify and analyze hazardous waste materials through the use of scientific methods and application of chemistry, engineering, toxicology, biology and environmental science principles.
   
• Issue permits for and regulate hazardous substance handlers, hazardous waste generators, disposal facilities, aboveground storage tank operators, underground storage tank operators and biomedical waste.
   
• Conduct and evaluate environmental surveys and studies related to hazardous waste material storage, treatment, disposal, reduction and reuse.
   
• Prepare and pack hazardous waste materials for storage and transportation as required under Federal and State regulations.
   
• Provide consultation and conduct training programs in the area of specialization for staff, other departments, agencies, and the general public.
   
• Conduct complex and highly technical investigations; prepare cases for prosecution at the State or local level.
   
• Plan, organize and oversee the proper disposal of economic poisons, banned or outdated pesticides, fungicides and agricultural chemicals.
   
• Review and oversees the performance of emergency clean up performed by contractors and consultants.
   
• Assess potential exposure to hazardous waste materials and select appropriate safety and sampling equipment.

Level I Experience:
None

Level II Experience:
One (1) year of experience in environmental health inspection and control comparable to a Hazardous Material Specialist I in Merced County.

Level III Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in a Public Health Agency performing environmental health inspection and control comparable to a Hazardous Material Specialist Il in Merced County.

All Levels
Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, physical science, environmental science, geology, soil science, environmental health, environmental or sanitary engineering, toxicology, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials management, fire science or technology, or a closely related field with major coursework in one or more of these fields.

OR

30 semester units (46 quarter units) in one or more of the following disciplines: biology, microbiology, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, physical science, environmental science, geology, soil science, environmental health, environmental or sanitary engineering, toxicology, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials management, fire science, or fire technology. 

One year of qualifying experience in hazardous materials management regulation, analysis, or research; environmental research, monitoring, surveillance or enforcement; or resource recovery may be substituted for 15 semester units (23 quarter units).

OR

Registration with the California Department of Public Health as an Environmental Health Specialist.

License:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Certification:
Incumbents in the classification must possess a current ICC California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector certification OR obtain certification* as a California UST Inspector within 180 days of employment in the position.
Certification must be maintained and renewed every 24 months.
*Certification as administered by International Code Council (ICC) or satisfying equivalent criteria approved by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) UST Program Manager.  

Identified safety sensitive positions in this classification will be subject to pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, random and return-to-duty drug and alcohol testing pursuant to the provisions of the County of Merced's drug and alcohol testing policy

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
   
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
   
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
   
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions.
   
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
   
• Wear protective clothing/glasses/equipment.
   
• Lift and move with help objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
   
• Conduct field inspections on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
   
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
   
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
   
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
   
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
   
• Respond appropriately in adverse situations during investigations.
   
• Frequently operate a motor vehicle. 
  
  
• Regular attendance is an essential function. 
  
  

Knowledge of:

• Chemical, biological, physical and environmental sciences including organic chemistry, geology, engineering, hydrology, toxicology and physics.
   

• Investigation techniques and methods.
   
• Hazardous waste materials management principles and practices including hazardous waste material use and disposal practices in industry.
   
• General quality assurance and quality control techniques.
   
• Water quality and environmental planning.
   
• Personal protective equipment and levels of protection required.
   
• Applicable environmental sampling techniques and standards.
   
• Chemical analytical techniques and procedures.
   
• Federal and State hazardous waste material laws, regulations and programs.
   
• Radiation hazards and management of radiological wastes.
   
• Safety and detention equipment, such as photo ionization detectors, combustibility meters, hydrostatic testing devices.
   
• Chemical and physical characteristics of hazardous materials and their effect on human health and the environment.
  
  

Ability to:

• Collect, analyze and evaluate environmental data and reach valid conclusions.
   
• Plan, organize, and carry out complex hazardous waste material studies and reports.
   
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with the public, business and industry, and other agencies.
   
• Create and present technical reports.
   
• Communicate effectively orally to make presentations before community groups, private industry representatives, public officials and staff.
   
• Handle difficult soil groundwater investigations and take appropriate enforcement action.
   
• Deal with difficult public contact situation and negotiate compliance.
   
• Apply scientific methods and principles to various environmental situations to identify hazardous waste.
   
• Wear protective clothing and equipment, such as respirators.

Salary : $54,142 - $84,614