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Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist

Under direction leads staff and performs complex inspections and investigations in the enforcement of hazardous materials/waste laws and ordinances.

This recruitment is for positions working in the County’s Hazardous Materials Program, which is authorized by the California Environmental Protection Agency to operate as a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), and the County’s Site Mitigation Program, which is certified under State law to implement a Local Oversight Program (LOP) and operate as a Local Oversight Agency.  Both programs are located within the Department of Environmental Health’s Hazardous Materials Compliance Division. Candidates selected for positions in either program must have the ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, or trenches, or crawl, if necessary, while performing investigations or field inspections. Candidates selected for positions in the Hazardous Materials Program will be required to obtain an International Code Council certification as a California Underground Storage Tank Inspector within 180 days of hire or placement into the position.

Requirements

  • Performs lead duties, such as assigning, distributing, and adjusting workloads, reviewing work of staff and interpreting departmental policies, procedures and practices;
     
  • Helps resolve issues among staff;
     
  • Takes disciplinary actions up to and including written counseling;
     
  • Assists management in the development of budgets for programs;
     
  • Oversees household and small business hazardous waste disposal programs and directs technicians and contract personnel in their duties;
     
  • Inspects establishments and properties for compliance with hazardous materials/waste laws and regulations and applicable Federal, State and Local laws and regulations;
     
  • Assists in the development of programs and implements those programs;
     
  • Enforces compliance of hazardous materials/waste laws, regulations, ordinances and codes and assists/advises regulated facilities to bring them in compliance with hazardous materials/waste laws, regulations, ordinances and codes;
     
  • Issues citations to facilities that are not in compliance;
     
  • Performs construction and alteration plan check reviews for hazardous materials storage facilities and tank systems. Makes necessary contacts with property owners, contractors and consultants and coordinates with County/city departments to determine compliance with State laws and regulation and local codes and ordinances;
     
  • Performs architectural and site approval (ASA) reviews and/or Hazardous Materials Clearance reviews. Coordinates information with County's land use committee and various county departments such as planning, building and zoning;
     
  • Audits the implementation by local jurisdictions of Unified Program elements and recommends modifications as required by law;
     
  • Conducts field inspections and reviews documents for compliance with California's Underground Storage Tank (UST) law and regulations;
     
  • Reviews facility plans and conducts inspections for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances for hazardous materials/waste onsite
  • Conducts the more complex investigations of illegal dumping and unauthorized releases of hazardous materials including major or repeated violations and clandestine drug laboratories. Duties may include providing oversight and direction to contractors for cleanup of sites;
     
  • Gathers information on prior inspections and investigations using departmental database and files and reviews this information to understand certifications of compliance or resolution of outstanding issues;
     
  • Collects samples and maintains chain of custody of suspected hazardous wastes to determine if there have been unauthorized releases, spills or leaks;
     
  • Interviews witnesses, assists in the collection of evidence and prepares reports of findings concerning spills and prepares material for use in legal actions, coordinates with the District Attorney's Office on actions;
     
  • Appears in court as an expert witness to provide testimony in cases of criminal complaints and civil suits involving hazardous materials/waste;
     
  • Prepares clear professional reports, memoranda, business correspondence, and other documentation including reports of findings concerning spills and prepares material for use in legal actions;
     
  • Meets, answers inquiries, and prepares informational literature on hazardous materials/waste to provide technical assistance to representatives of industry, government associations and the general public;
     
  • Coordinates and assists in inter-agency investigations and clean-ups and enforcement efforts to achieve uniformity of procedures and consistency in the interpretation of codes;
     
  • Develops and participates in training programs as required by Departmental needs or assignments;
     
  • Offers guidance and assists in the training of subordinate hazardous materials staff;
     
  • 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.
 

AND
 

One (1) year of work experience as a Hazardous Materials Specialist II in Santa Clara County or four (4) years of increasingly responsible work experience conducting investigations and inspections of hazardous materials/waste, or in the enforcement of Federal, State and Local Government health/environmental regulations, including one (1) year equivalent to a Hazardous Materials Specialist II in Santa Clara County.

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

Certification:
Some positions may require possession of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector certification within 180 days of hire or placement into position.

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;
     
  • Principles and practices of hazardous materials management;
     
  • Federal, State and Local laws and regulations applicable to hazardous materials management and environmental health;
     
  • Methods, techniques and practices used in the determination, control and elimination of health hazards;
     
  • Practices in the transportation, processing, treatment, recycling and disposal of hazardous waste;
     
  • Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and/or databases.
Ability to:
  • Motivate, train, evaluate, counsel and provide guidance to staff;
     
  • Make assignments as workload needs dictate;
     
  • Interpret and apply laws, regulations, ordinances, codes and data;
     
  • Advise and instruct others on compliance requirements of hazardous materials programs;
     
  • Prioritize and schedule workload;
     
  • Collect samples of hazardous substances, soil and groundwater;
     
  • Prepare comprehensive and technically accurate reports;
     
  • Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;
     
  • Maintain records accurately;
     
  • Identify hazards and recommend corrective action;
     
  • Enforce laws, regulations, codes and ordinances pertaining to hazardous materials/waste;
     
  • Conduct statistical analysis;
     
  • Meet respiratory protection program requirements.
    Some positions may require an employee to climb ladders, scaffolding, or trenches, or to crawl while performing investigations and field inspections.
Candidates selected for positions in either program must have the ability to climb ladders, scaffolding, or trenches, or crawl, if necessary, while performing investigations or field inspections.
Date Posted
03/03/2026
Job Reference
26-V2B-A
Organization
Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Program
Location
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Category
Environmental Health
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