Receiving Chemist I

CleanHarbors•San Jose, CA

12h•$23 - $25

About The Position

The Receiving Chemist I is responsible for the safe and compliant receiving, sampling, coding, processing, and shipping of hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials. This role supports Lab Pack operations, drum receiving and coding, and outbound waste shipments by verifying container counts and sizes, performing initial sampling and basic analysis, applying proper barcodes, and ensuring accurate waste tracking throughout Clean Harbors’ systems. This position is assigned to swing shift, Monday–Friday from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM , and plays a key role in maintaining regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and Clean Harbors’ Health and Safety standards.

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years of college coursework or specialized training in Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related field , or equivalent experience.
0–3 years of experience in hazardous waste receiving, lab pack processing, shipping, or related operations.
Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
24-Hour OSHA Training (required)
Forklift Certification (required)
RCRA and DOT Training (required)
Strong understanding of basic math, chemistry, and chemical testing.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment and follow direction.
Strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills.
Ability to adapt to changing business needs and operational priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with receiving, shipping, and/or lab pack operations preferred.
Working knowledge of at least two of the following prior to progression: Lab Pack Coding/Processing Drum Receiving/Coding Shipping of Waste Materials
Familiarity with facility-specific Waste Analysis Plans.
Proficiency in Windows-based applications and data entry systems.

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including facility permits, 49 CFR , 40 CFR , and all Clean Harbors Health, Safety, and Compliance protocols.
Perform Lab Pack Coding and Processing , including: Receive and properly code lab pack containers for disposal processing.
Perform consolidation and/or repack of lab packs for final disposal as needed.
Complete all documentation associated with repack and consolidation activities.
Manage cylinders entering and exiting the facility.
Handle reactive lab pack materials for ultimate disposal.
Operate lab pack systems using Clean Harbors proprietary software.
Perform Drum Receiving and Coding Operations , including: Sample incoming drums and perform basic chemical analysis following established procedures.
Calibrate and utilize lab instrumentation required for analysis.
Complete all paperwork associated with drum sampling and analysis.
Ensure all work meets applicable QA/QC guidelines.
Investigate and report missing, extra, or non-conforming drum shipments.
Weigh drums requiring billing weights and move drums to proper storage locations.
Manage waste generated from analytical procedures and ensure all drums are properly coded for routing and billing.
Assign correct disposal processes and outbound profiles in accordance with Clean Harbors protocols.
Apply CHES barcodes to drums and associated samples and maintain accurate data within the WIN system .
Support Shipping of Waste Materials , including: Manage and ship drum and bulk outbound shipments.
Ensure shipments are sent to approved, least-cost disposal outlets using proper profiles and shipping documentation.
Work closely with Logistics and Operations teams to stage, label, and prepare outbound loads.
Coordinate with National Logistics to schedule outbound shipments and ensure compliance with DOT shipping requirements.
Open and sample all plant-received materials per the facility Waste Analysis Plan (WAP) and CHES guidelines.
Record sampling results on receiving reports and prepare samples requiring further lab analysis for shipment to the lab.
Maintain a safe work environment in compliance with OSHA regulations and Clean Harbors Health & Safety policies.
Assist with inventory and supply management within assigned areas.
Mentor and train Receiving Technicians and Chemist I employees as assigned.
Perform additional duties as required to meet business needs.