Hazardous Materials Specialist II

County of Orange • Santa Ana, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Hazardous Materials Specialist II (HMS II) is the first working level class in the Hazardous Materials Specialist series. Incumbents in this class have a firm understanding in the field of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. Work involves independent decision-making, coordination with regulatory partners, and delivering clear, responsive guidance to businesses, responsible parties, and community stakeholders. This classification receives on-the-job training regarding the various disciplines included, but not limited to, advance environmental crimes, enforcement, and emergency response. HMS II performs inspections, investigations, and enforcement duties to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. At the EH Division’s request, HMSII is required to conduct regulatory requirements during afterhours including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to a Hazardous Materials Specialist I (HMS I) or an Environmental Health Specialist II (EHS II) with the County of Orange.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency with at least 30 semester units of basic biological, physical, or environmental science courses including at least one laboratory course in one of the following fields: chemistry, physics, microbiology, biology, and a mathematics course of college algebra or higher.
• For Body Art programs, the ideal candidate will be in possession of the following: a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
• Knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations regarding environmental compliance, hazardous materials, business emergency plans, hazardous waste, underground storage tanks, aboveground petroleum storage tank programs, solid waste, and management of various cleanup projects
• Knowledge of and physical capability to wear personal protective equipment including specialized chemical suits and air-purifying respirator
• Proficiency with computer hardware and software to enter and retrieve data, review state forms, complete reports, and maintain compliance with uploading requirements within the following databases: EH data management system, Geotracker, California Environmental Reporting System (CERS), and/or Solid Waste Information System (SWIS), and a variety of productivity software, such as, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc.
• Establishing and maintaining professional working relationships and continuously work to improve relationships, contacts, and networks with peers, supervisors, managers, clients, and the public
• Understanding of the interrelationships, roles, and responsibilities of internal and external stakeholders, such as, Federal and California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), CalRecycle, fire authorities, County departments (e.g. OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycle, District Attorney, County Counsel)
• Interacting with diverse customers, fostering positive relationships grounded in sensitivity, respect, fairness, and consistency
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, explaining regulations varying in difficulty and complexity and using active listening to fully understand questions, concerns, and stakeholder needs
• Reviewing, evaluating, and summarizing data in writing and presenting information clearly and in an organized manner through written inspection reports, technical and enforcement letters, public meetings, and similar methods
• Providing education to promote understanding, compliance, and informed decision-making within the community and regulated businesses
• Organizing priorities and assignments to accomplish tasks efficiently and independently
• Applying critical thinking to identify and analyze problems, gather relevant data and information, draw valid conclusions, and provide solutions or recommended course of action
• Identifying when issues need to be escalated to higher authorities and effectively alert appropriate stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Upon hiring or transferring to this classification, incumbent must possess or complete the following certifications within 180 days of hire: 40-hour HAZWOPER course
• APSA (Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act) Tank Inspector Certification, if assigned to the Hazardous Materials Surveillance Section
• International Code Council “California UST Inspector” Certification, if assigned to the Hazardous Surveillance Section

Responsibilities

• Regulatory oversight of public health protection activities including providing technical expertise to ensure safe and compliance environmental cleanup
• Report preparation, technical and regulatory documentation, for example, inspection reports, remediation plans, and enforcement orders
• Interagency coordination and stakeholder engagement with partner agencies e.g. Federal and California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), CalRecycle, fire authorities, County departments (e.g. OC Public Works, OC Waste & Recycle, District Attorney, County Counsel), etc.; may participate in enforcement hearings and public forums
• Technical training and staff development, participating in technical advisory groups, assisting in the training and cross-training of staff, and providing technical expertise and education to operators and the public
• Public health emergency response that may involve, but is not limited to, spills, releases, or similar environmental threats

Benefits

• Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

What This Job Offers

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