Hazardous Materials Inspector

City of Palo Alto•Palo Alto, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Ready for a role where your inspection and regulatory expertise makes an impact? Join our Fire Prevention Bureau as a Hazardous Materials Inspector, working with a variety of facilities, complex regulations, and partner agencies to identify hazards, promote safe practices, and help protect our community. The Palo Alto Fire Department is a professional team dedicated to safeguarding and enriching the lives of everyone it serves, anytime and anywhere, with compassion and pride. The department is focused on meeting the community’s evolving needs and strives to reflect the community through meaningful opportunities for diversity and inclusion. The department is comprised of highly trained professionals prepared to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies, including structure and wildland fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, code enforcement, and fire investigations. Administrative professionals also play an essential role in supporting the department’s operations and overall success. The Hazardous Materials Inspector conducts routine and special inspections and investigations of facilities and sites where hazardous classes of materials are stored, used, treated, or disposed; performs hazardous materials plan reviews, enforces appropriate regulations as assigned, and provides liaison with governmental agencies and monitors results of ongoing activities. May act as liaison with other City departments in the performance of duties. May be called upon to advise the Incident Commander during incidents involving release of hazardous materials. Hazardous Materials Inspector is a one-position, classification found in the Hazardous Materials Bureau of the Fire Department. This position is responsible for enforcing complex local, State and Federal codes, documenting the storage of hazardous materials and identifying those sites where leaks, spills or releases may have occurred. The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, and experience in hazardous materials, fire inspection, environmental compliance, or code enforcement. They are confident navigating complex regulations, conducting inspections and investigations, and collaborating with City departments, government agencies, and the community. The role is well suited to a professional who values continuous learning and is ready to apply their expertise to challenging hazardous materials and environmental issues. Fire service experience and a California EMT license are highly desirable. Great benefits. Excellent pay. Apply Today!

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, biology, or other related science associated with the study of hazardous materials, soil or groundwater contamination, or the environment or providing the equivalent of required training for unified hazardous materials program staff as specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 27
Two years related experience in inspection, investigation, sampling, code enforcement, permitting, groundwater clean-up, and regulatory functions
Possession of a valid California Driver's License

Nice To Haves

Forty-eight months of continuous sworn service in a Fire Department as a firefighter or higher rank.
Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician License.

Responsibilities

Assist with development of municipal hazardous materials management codes, guidelines, checklists and fee schedules
Conducts inspections of commercial and industrial properties to determine and enforce compliance with hazardous materials, environmental protection and fire safety laws, regulations, ordinances and codes
Assists with monitoring and tracking progress of the investigation and cleanup of locations and sites where hazardous materials and hazardous waste discharges have occurred and preparing status reports on such sites
Maintain records and prepare reports.
Maintain and update computer databases as they relate to faculties, chemical storage and hazardous materials permitting
Through continuing education maintains a level of knowledge consistent with job requirements