Asbestos, Lead & HazCom Program Coordinator

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

13d • $4,801 - $7,762 • Onsite

About The Position

The Asbestos, Lead & HazCom Program Coordinator serves in the Asbestos, Lead and HazCom Operations Branch of the Environmental Health Section at the Texas Department of State Health Services. The role performs advanced environmental health work overseeing, coordinating, and providing technical assistance for regulatory programs authorized under the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act, NESHAP, AHERA, the Texas Lead-based Paint Abatement Act, and the Texas Hazard Communication Act. The coordinator develops and implements program policies, procedures, and work plans; coordinates program activities with department units, state and federal agencies, and stakeholders; and serves as the agency’s technical expert on asbestos, lead-based paint, and hazard communication.

The position reviews proposed legislation and supports related rulemaking and grants. It conducts technical and quality-control reviews of complex or high-priority investigations, provides regulatory guidance, and may assist with joint inspections, escalated enforcement cases, and legal testimony. The role also oversees EPA asbestos and lead grants, serves as the EPA-designated Quality Assurance Manager, and develops and maintains the Quality Assurance Project Plan and Quality Management Plan. The coordinator works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and may participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations activities.

The position is based in Austin and requires reporting to the physical office. Travel may be up to 10%, including in-state and out-of-state travel. Overtime, extended hours, or hours outside the regular Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule may be required. Emergency response assignments may require an alternate shift or location.

Requirements

• Experience performing regulatory activities, including preparing, monitoring, or reviewing technical inspection and audit reports for regulatory compliance.
• Experience developing and interpreting regulatory statutes, rules, policies, and procedures to respond to internal and external inquiries.
• Experience preparing professional-level technical reports, memos, publications, and forms.
• Experience coordinating and overseeing work activities across teams, groups, or units to complete projects.
• Knowledge of methods and standards for preparing policy and procedure documents.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the program areas.
• Knowledge of asbestos sampling, identification, fiber control, abatement, and air-monitoring principles and practices.
• Knowledge of occupational health or industrial hygiene as related to identifying, evaluating, and controlling asbestos health hazards.
• Knowledge of investigation and audit procedures, evidence development, and general legal proceedings.
• Skill applying scientific knowledge to complex environmental and consumer safety regulatory issues.
• Skill preparing, monitoring, or reviewing technical inspection, audit, research, or other reports for project status or regulatory compliance.
• Skill in technical writing, verbal communication, and public speaking, including explaining technical information to varied audiences.
• Skill using computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to interpret regulatory statutes, rules, policies, and procedures and assess compliance by licensees and regulated entities.
• Ability to analyze data, solve complex problems, and develop technical reports.
• Ability to communicate technical details professionally and diplomatically in difficult situations with government and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize workloads, implement and manage program goals, and coordinate and oversee staff work with extensive latitude.
• Ability to travel in-state and out-of-state and meet physical demands including climbing, lifting up to 50 pounds, and accessing attics or crawlspaces.
• Ability to adhere to division and agency policies and procedures.
• Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or an equivalent license from another state.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in physical or natural science, architecture, or engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Accreditation as an Asbestos Inspector, Management Planner, Project Designer, and Contractor/Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monitoring of environmental health programs governed by applicable state and federal regulations.
• Assign and balance workloads for program specialists and monitor their work performance.
• Coordinate regulatory activities with department units, state and federal agencies, particularly the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and stakeholder organizations.
• Coordinate with Inspection, Licensing, and Compliance staff to review operational processes, identify problems, and implement solutions.
• Develop and implement program policies, procedures, clarifications, and work plans.
• Assist the Rule Coordinator with asbestos, lead, and HazCom rule packages and collaborate with legal counsel, staff, and stakeholders on rule language.
• Respond to legislative, media, agency, and citizen-group questions as the agency’s technical expert.
• Review proposed legislation and prepare or contribute to bill summaries, fiscal notes, and other requested information.
• Provide consultation, regulatory interpretations, and resource materials to license holders, staff, and the public.
• Set criteria for prioritizing public complaint investigations and coordinate with Inspection Unit staff to ensure complaints are investigated and resolved.
• Develop program-specific training for inspectors and field enforcement staff and evaluate training-provider course manuals for regulatory compliance.
• Prepare or coordinate technical papers, outreach materials, and guidance documents, and speak to professional and citizen groups.
• Conduct technical and quality-control reviews of complex inspection and complaint investigation reports, including evidence, documentation, and laboratory results.
• Review and finalize inspection findings, determine when violations warrant escalated enforcement, and document cases using the Versa Regulatory system, Microsoft Word, and Excel.
• Provide regulatory guidance during enforcement, participate in informal conferences, monitor case resolutions, and coordinate follow-up inspections.
• Assist with joint inspections, escalated enforcement cases, and technical expert testimony when needed.
• Serve as Quality Assurance Manager for the NESHAP grant and lead annual updates of the QAPP and QMP.
• Serve as Project Manager for the Lead Grant and work with the Grants Coordinator on federal EPA NESHAP, AHERA, and lead grant requirements and reporting.
• Perform other assigned duties, including supporting disaster response, recovery, and Continuity of Operations activities.
• Travel to conduct or attend technical training, outreach, field inspections, and field staff evaluations.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior