Associate Waste Management Specialist

Sacramento County; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County seeks an Associate Waste Management Specialist who independently handles complex duties, including evaluating hazardous waste programs, facility operations, and compliance with permits. The role may provide leadworker direction and project management for staff and programs.

Responsibilities include analyzing inspections, preparing reports, and ensuring safety through proper protective equipment and emergency readiness.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, planning, chemistry, biology, industrial hygiene, environmental science, or closely related field.
• Two years of full-time experience in liquid and/or solid non-hazardous or hazardous waste; non-hazardous or hazardous materials programs and/or waste facilities.
• Note: Degree can substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Perform evaluations of non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste programs and facility operations.
• Lead and direct staff or provide technical direction as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with permit conditions and regulations; analyze inspection and investigation findings and prepare clear reports.

Skills

Hazardous materials knowledge

Project management

Leadworker

Emergency decision making

Technical reporting

Communication skills

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, biology, environmental science or closely related field

Job description

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

9/16/2026, 10/7/2026 (final)

The Associate Waste Management Specialist working under supervision, is the full advanced journey level class in the series. Incumbents independently perform the full range of responsible, varied and complex work as described for the Assistant Waste Management Specialist at (Level II). In addition, incumbents perform evaluations of non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste and hazardous materials programs and facility operational effectiveness, chemical contamination of sites, and compliance with permit conditions and other regulations. Incumbents at this level are expected to exercise considerable independence and sound judgment in the performance of their duties. They may provide leadworker and technical direction to Waste Management Specialists or other assigned staff, or may be given special staff assignments in the development and implementation of new programs.

Examples Of Knowledge And Abilities

Knowledge of

• Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing solid and/or liquid non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste and materials management waste planning, resource recovery, and education, safety, and program and/or facility development and operations.
• Industry and community waste management practices.
• Methods and procedures used in inspecting, identifying and correcting hazardous conditions associated with hazardous materials.
• Industrial hygiene practices.
• Principles and practices in emergency preparedness.
• Chemical testing for identification of hazardous materials.
• Principles of chemistry, biology and toxicology applicable to hazardous materials.
• Effects of hazardous materials and their interaction on human health and the environment.
• Hazardous waste generations, transportation and disposal practices.
• Field and laboratory chemical analysis techniques for the identification and management of hazardous and acutely hazardous materials and wastes.
• Toxicology, risk assessment and risk management principles.
• Environmental health and sanitation principles and regulations.
• Current principles and practices in the fields of engineering, environmental science, chemistry, toxicology, and public health as they relate to hazardous materials and waste management.
• Resource recovery techniques.
• Leadworker principles and practices, program development, and training techniques

Ability to

• Use personal protective clothing and equipment to protect against exposure to hazardous materials.
• Analyze self-inspection and investigation findings and prepare clear, concise reports and recommendations.
• Conduct limited field waste analysis chemical testing.
• Read, speak and write English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with members of the public under difficult circumstances.
• Plan and serve as leadworker over others.
• Provide project management.
• Instruct others, individually and in groups.
• Analyze inspection and investigation findings and prepare clear, concise reports and recommendations
• Assist in developing or implementing new programs.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, other governmental agencies, business, industry, community groups and the general public.
• Rapidly analyze information and make quick and accurate decisions in emergency situations
• Access and interpret information from computer databases
• Select and effectively use proper personal protective clothing and other equipment to prevent overexposure to hazardous substances.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Either: 1. One year of full-time experience in the class of Assistant Waste Management Specialist at (Level II) in Sacramento County service.

Or: 2. A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university in engineering, planning, chemistry, biology, industrial hygiene, environmental science, or a closely related field.

AND Two years of full-time experience in liquid and/or solid non-hazardous or hazardous waste; non-hazardous or hazardous materials programs and/or waste facilities.

Note: Full-time experience in one of the areas outline above may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required prior to appointment. Failure to maintain a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher may constitute cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs at considerable heights.
• Stoop and bend in confined spaces.
• See to read gauges and meters in dimly lighted areas.
• Move safely in unlighted areas or over uneven terrain at night.
• Wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus.
• Ability to lift a 40 pound object to shoulder level.

Work Schedule and Conditions

Incumbents are subject to emergency and on-call work in all kinds of weather, and under hazardous conditions, at other than normal duty hours.

Special Certificate or Course Requirements

Completion of the HAZWOPER 40 hour training course and/or the 8-hour annual refresher course within the past 12 months is desirable but not required prior to appointment.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711.