Hazardous Materials Specialist III

The Hazardous Materials Specialist III (HMS III) is the journey level class in the Hazardous Materials Specialist series and typically reports to a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.

• Assist management with state audits, as well as CUPA and Participating Agencies' (PA) evaluations. Coordinate with senior staff in fire agencies to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Be on-call for the Health Hazmat Team in emergency incidents, disasters involving spills, releases of hazardous materials/waste, or threats to public health and the environment.
• Work on/participate in enforcement hearings, draft enforcement orders and work with the District Attorney’s office on case referrals.
• Provide expert-level training to large groups at a state-wide conference and promote learning outside of the agency at the annual California CUPA conference.
• Serve as a lead representative for the CUPA programs state-wide technical advisory group (TAG).
• Lead Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Large Quantity Generator and Hazardous Waste treatment inspections at larger manufacturing facilities and sites with multiple programs.
• Conduct UST installation inspections. The number of installations throughout the County is projected to increase due to the sunset date for single-walled tanks.
• Conduct CalARP inspections at Level 3 facilities which involve complex chemical processes, significant offsite consequences, or have a history of accidents.

• Apply extensive knowledge of State of California laws and regulations regarding leaking UST and non-UST contamination, investigation, and remediation. Prepare directive letters and Notices of Violation to enforce regulatory compliance.
• Review and evaluate human health risk assessments submitted by responsible parties and consultants; prepare comment letters as necessary; consult with Department of Toxic Substances Control and Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment regarding technical issues related to human health risk assessment and mitigation measures.
• Lead interagency meetings with the State or Regional Water Boards and Department of Toxic Substances Control in evaluating site conditions and potential impacts.
• Apply general principles of hydrogeology, chemical fate and transport, toxicology, risk analysis, public health and safety, and assessment and remediation to provide technical evaluations of reports submitted to the program.
• Prepare presentations for the public, regulated community, individual responsible parties and business owners. Provide responsive information to all stakeholders at appropriate levels.
• Review new or updated regulations and draft workflows/checklists to ensure staff compliance with changes.
• Assist with HMSI/HMSII staff development, including training and cross-training.

• Prepare and review complex reports, reviews, and other documents with minimal or no supervisor assistance. Technical reports include but not limited to soil analysis and remediation data and plans.
• Conduct complex inspections independently and submit final reports to Supervisor for review. Complex inspections include sites that may have multiple waste streams, redevelopment plans, changes to the site, a history of violations or combination of these factors.
• Work in conjunction with the Senior Civil Engineer on projects for post closure land use plan and landfill gas mitigation systems. Provides confirmation that the base information is accurate to ensure comprehensive and encompassing review.
• Apply principles and knowledge of geology to read, interpret and analyze soil test reports.
• Serve as the LEA lead in interagency meetings with State Water Boards, Cal Recycle, community members and other stakeholders. Provide timely and responsive information at appropriate levels.
• Assist County Counsel in the preparation of LEA legal documents, confirming accuracy of information and providing all relevant regulatory background information.

The ideal candidate will possess at least three (3) years of experience in hazardous materials, solid waste management, site mitigation, or hazardous waste management. For…