Hazardous Materials Specialist (CUPA Option)

THIS IS A REOPENING OF AN EXISTING EXAMINATION. The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you are currently on the eligible list and choose to reapply, you will forfeit your current rank and score. Your new score/disposition will replace your current score and rank. In order to reapply for this position, please contact the examination analyst at Nicole.Lewis-Bolton@acgov.org to have your previous application released back to you. This list may be cancelled at any time without notice to candidates. APPLY IMMEDIATELY AS THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

THE AGENCY
The Mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. The Agency’s major services include Behavioral Health Care, Environmental Health, and Public Health programs; primary care services via community-based organization (CBO) contracts, and health care services for all County residents qualifying as medically indigent, as well as Health Care Administration. To read more about the department, please visit their website at: http://www.acgov.org/health.

THE PROGRAM

Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA):  Incumbents assigned to CUPA conduct field inspections for all programs under CUPA including Tire and Clean Water Program; follow up complaints and enforcement cases; documents all work and inspection results using electronic reporting through Envision Connect Remote (ECR), review and approve business information on California Environmental  Reporting System (CERS); conduct educational outreach based on program needs, respond to emergency incidents and provide technical assistance to first responders, and participate in establishing program priorities and development.

THE POSITION
Hazardous Materials Specialist are located in the Department of Environmental Health and 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.  

THE VACANCY
There are currently three (3) vacancies within the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Hazardous Materials Division in the Department of Environmental Health.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have demonstrated the following critical attributes:

• Strong ability to gather, analyze and compile information and implement regulations to address compliance related issues and problems.
• Leverages automated systems and technology to achieve efficiencies and improve program performance.
• Consistently manages time and resources to appropriately prioritize and complete goals and assignments. 
  
• An effective communicator, able to explain program requirements and concepts to the public and present to a diverse population.
• A collaborator and team player who maintains and cultivates successful working relationships with others.
• Ability to identify safety issues and problems; detects hazardous working conditions and safety problems; checks equipment and/or work area regularly.

The minimum professional requirements for admission to the competitive assessment process include:

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.

Specialty Designation/Option criteria: CUPA Option- The Certified Unified Program Agency requires possession of the minimum experience requirement specifically to include: CUPA programs such as hazardous waste generator, hazardous materials business plan, underground storage tanks, aboveground storage tanks,  Cal ARP, storm water and waste tire programs; investigating community health hazardous; evaluating occupational work sites and ensuring compliance with the applicable laws and regulations, responding to emergency hazardous materials incidents (including the documentation, identification, risk assessment, and advisement of clean up).

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

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

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 & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.