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Hazardous Materials Trainee

Under close supervision, conducts basic inspections and investigations in the enforcement of hazardous materials/waste laws, ordinances, policies and procedures within the County's jurisdiction.

This recruitment is for a position working in the Department of Environmental Health's Hazardous Materials Program, which is authorized by the California Environmental Protection Agency to operate as a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).

***************IMPORTANT***************
EXAMINATION DATES: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take a written examination that will be conducted online through a secure third party, TENTATIVELY scheduled for the week of November 10, 2026. Qualifying candidates will be notified with examination instructions via the email address attached to their application. 

Requirements

  • Attends training sessions to receive instructions in hazardous materials management principles, methods, techniques, site remediation, hydrogeology, risk assessment and chemical fate and transportation;
     
  • Observes techniques in taking samples of suspected hazardous waste to determine if there have been unauthorized releases, spills or leaks;
     
  • Learns to train staff and participating agencies on hazardous materials management;
     
  • Conducts inspections for compliance with applicable Federal, State and Local hazardous materials/waste laws and regulations;
     
  • Assists with enforcement activities;
     
  • Maintains inventories of hazardous materials/waste facilities;
     
  • May assist in soil and waste site remediation projects;
     
  • Assists in the reviews of facility construction plans for conformance to applicable laws and ordinances;
     
  • Gathers information on prior inspections and investigations using departmental database and files and reviews the information to understand certifications of compliance or resolution of outstanding issues;
     
  • Prepares clear professional reports, memoranda, business correspondence, and other documentation including reports of findings concerning spills and prepares material for use in legal actions;
     
  • Answers inquiries and prepares informational literature to provide technical assistance to representatives of industry, government associations and the general public on hazardous materials management and/or remediation;
     
  • Investigates and resolves complaints regarding improper storage, use, handling or disposal of hazardous materials/waste;
    Hazardous Materials Trainee
     
  • Conducts investigations into illegal dumping and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials/waste;
     
  • Assists in inter-agency investigations, clean-ups and enforcement efforts to achieve uniformity of procedures and consistency in the interpretation of codes;
     
  • May assist Hazardous Materials Specialists in interviewing witnesses, in the collection of evidence and in the preparation of materials for use in legal actions;
     
  • Observes Hazardous Materials Specialists who appear in court as an expert witness of the affects of hazardous materials/waste;
     
  • Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

The knowledge and abilities required to perform this function are acquired through the possession of a Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, or a related Science. The degree must include a minimum of thirty (30) semester units as required by the State of California for the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) which may include courses such as: Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Physical Science, Environmental Science, Geology or Soil Science, Environmental Health, Environmental or Sanitary Engineering, Toxicology, Industrial Hygiene, Hazardous Materials Management, Fire Science or Fire Technology.

Possession of a valid California Driver's license prior to appointment.

Knowledge of:
  • Basic organic and inorganic chemistry, with a strong emphasis on chemical characteristics, hazardous identification, compatibility issues and their effects on human health and the environment;
     
  • Statistics;
     
  • Elementary understanding of the principles and practices of hazardous materials management;
     
  • Elementary understanding of Federal, State and Local laws and regulations applicable to hazardous materials management and environmental health;
     
  • Elementary understanding of the practices in the transportation, process/treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous waste;
     
  • Basic methods, techniques and practices used in the control of physical and health hazards;
     
Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and/or databases.

Ability to: 
  • Interpret laws, regulations, ordinances, codes and data;
     
  • Learn to collect samples of hazardous substances, soil and groundwater;
     
  • Prepare comprehensive and technically accurate reports;
     
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
     
  • Maintain records accurately;
     
  • Identify, control and dispose of hazardous waste and recommend corrective action;
     
  • Conduct statistical analysis;
     
  • Meet respiratory protection program requirements;
     
  • Enforce laws, regulations, ordinances and codes pertaining to hazardous materials/waste.
Hazardous Materials Trainee
Some positions may require an employee, under direct supervision, to climb ladders, scaffolding, or trenches, or to crawl while performing investigations and field inspections
Date Posted
10/02/2026
Job Reference
26-V2D-A
Organization
Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Program
Location
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Category
Internship/Fellowship
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