County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, conducts hazardous waste investigations and evaluates and interprets problems of environmental and public health hazards. This position works under the general direction of a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Hazardous Materials Specialists are located in the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Local Oversight Program (LOP), and the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program, of the Environmental Health Department. Incumbents conduct investigations and site data analysis for industrial, governmental and community sites regarding possible health hazards, environmental impact, or regulatory compliance concerns. The Hazardous Materials Specialist is distinguished from the Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is primarily responsible for environmental and public health impacts associated with the improper use or storage of hazardous materials or has responsibility for the safe operation of Household Hazardous Waste Facilities, HHWF's. The handling and managing of hazardous waste requires a comprehensive knowledge of the hazardous materials field. Incumbents receive direction from a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

1. Makes recommendations for the elimination, minimization, or control of hazardous conditions; evaluates hazardous waste at the phase of generation, transportation and disposal.

2. Interprets industrial health standards; provides information to the public; prepares correspondence; reports on investigations and evaluations. Provides educational outreach to schools, professional organizations, and other members of the public.

3. Represents the Hazardous Materials/Waste Program in collaboration with industrial hygiene engineers, physicians, safety engineers and representatives of private industry, public utilities and other governmental agencies; provides technical consultation and formal training to management, labor organizations, governmental agencies and civic groups regarding complex hazardous material problems and issues.

4. Gathers supportive data and may prepare documents for the District Attorney’s Office or other administrative agencies to initiate possible prosecution of violations of applicable hazardous materials codes

5. Operates computer systems for data entry and retrieval.

If assigned to the LOP Program:

6. Provides regulatory and technical oversight for the routine or frequently seen leaking Underground Storage Tanks and other contamination sites. Provides review and analysis of technical data and evaluates the effectiveness of corrective actions at contaminated sites.

7. Conducts environmental oversight surveys; investigates potential community health hazards; evaluates sites based on current and future use; ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations and local ordinances.

If assigned to the CUPA Program:

8. Conducts routine environmental surveys; investigates potential community health hazards; evaluates work sites; ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations and local ordinances.

9. Responds to emergency hazardous materials incidents within the County’s jurisdiction; documents, identifies, assesses risk and advises on clean up.

If assigned to the HHW Program:

10. Handles and manages hazardous materials, including proper categorization and packing in a HHWF.

11. Drives and performs duties on the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Vehicle or Emergency Response Van.

12. Responds to security breach alerts at the fixed facilities as part of the on-call team.

13. Performs duties while assisting the Hazardous Materials Technicians to properly categorize, pack and ship hazardous wastes, assists in tasks that ensure compliance of the program and assists in the handling of emergency situations

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in industrial hygiene, environmental health science, physical science, engineering science or a related field, AND

Experience:

The equivalent of two years of increasingly responsible, full-time experience in hazardous materials management, environmental health inspections, industrial hygiene practices, operations of a HHWF, or in a research and resources recovery program in a hazardous materials program. (A Master's degree in an appropriate field may be substituted for the equivalent of year of the required experience).

License:

Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Certification:

Incumbents must be certified under applicable Occupational Health and Safety standards as established within HAZWOPER guidelines within 6 months of appointment.

Special Requirement:

May require working under adverse working conditions and in adverse weather.
When assigned to the HHW, employee may be asked to perform various physical demands such as lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, climbing and walk or stand for prolonged periods of time. When assigned to CUPA/LOP may be asked to walk on uneven surfaces or walk or stand for prolonged periods of time.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Public Health, industrial hygiene, environmental sanitation, environmental contamination, geology and engineering practices and principles.
• Method, techniques and practices used in the determination, mitigation and elimination of health hazards.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local standards, guidelines, codes, laws and regulations.
• Basic practices in the transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes.
• Statistical methods and survey techniques.
• Basic knowledge of operations of a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, CUPA/LOP.
• Categorizing and packaging hazardous wastes for shipment.
• Principles and practices related to environmental contamination.
• Computer applications related to work.

Ability to:

• Perform field investigations.
• Collect samples of substances.
• Prepare comprehensive reports.
• Interpret technical data and reports related to environmental contamination.
• Exercise sound independent judgment.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise technical and administrative correspondence.
• Interpret and apply relevant laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with staff and the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with team members.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

DW:lm h 2/85
Old doc: 1021h
AM:jc Revised 1/95
New doc: 5650.doc
ys/6/01
CSC Date: 2/8/95
MO:pf Rev. 3/3/03
CSC Date: 7/9/03
Admin Change: 6/9/2009

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.