Hazardous Materials Inspector

City of Palo Alto; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palo Alto's Fire Department seeks an experienced Hazardous Materials Inspector to conduct inspections, plan reviews, and investigations of facilities handling hazardous materials, enforcing local, state, and federal codes, and coordinating with partner agencies.

Ideal candidates bring strong regulatory knowledge, ability to navigate complex requirements, and collaboration with City departments. Fire service experience and an EMT license are highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, biology, or related science.
• Two years in inspection, investigation, sampling, code enforcement, permitting, groundwater cleanup, or regulatory functions.

Responsibilities

• Assist with development of municipal hazardous materials codes, guidelines, checklists and fee schedules
• Conduct inspections of commercial and industrial properties to enforce hazardous materials, environmental protection and fire safety laws
• Monitor investigation and cleanup of locations with hazardous materials discharges and prepare status reports
• Maintain records and update computer databases related to facilities, chemical storage and hazardous materials permitting
• Continue education to maintain knowledge relevant to job requirements

Skills

Hazardous materials

Fire inspection

Environmental compliance

Code enforcement

EMT license

Education

BS in chemistry/biology or related science

Job description

Ready for a role where your inspection and regulatory expertise makes an impact? Join our Fire Prevention Bureau as a Hazardous Materials Inspector, working with a variety of facilities, complex regulations, and partner agencies to identify hazards, promote safe practices, and help protect our community.

The Department

The Palo Alto Fire Department is a professional team dedicated to safeguarding and enriching the lives of everyone it serves, anytime and anywhere, with compassion and pride. The department is focused on meeting the community’s evolving needs and strives to reflect the community through meaningful opportunities for diversity and inclusion. The department is comprised of highly trained professionals prepared to respond effectively to a wide range of emergencies, including structure and wildland fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, technical rescues, code enforcement, and fire investigations. Administrative professionals also play an essential role in supporting the department’s operations and overall success.

The Position

The Hazardous Materials Inspector conducts routine and special inspections and investigations of facilities and sites where hazardous classes of materials are stored, used, treated, or disposed; performs hazardous materials plan reviews, enforces appropriate regulations as assigned, and provides liaison with governmental agencies and monitors results of ongoing activities. May act as liaison with other City departments in the performance of duties. May be called upon to advise the Incident Commander during incidents involving release of hazardous materials.

Hazardous Materials Inspector is a one-position, classification found in the Hazardous Materials Bureau of the Fire Department. This position is responsible for enforcing complex local, State and Federal codes, documenting the storage of hazardous materials and identifying those sites where leaks, spills or releases may have occurred.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge, sound judgment, and experience in hazardous materials, fire inspection, environmental compliance, or code enforcement. They are confident navigating complex regulations, conducting inspections and investigations, and collaborating with City departments, government agencies, and the community. The role is well suited to a professional who values continuous learning and is ready to apply their expertise to challenging hazardous materials and environmental issues. Fire service experience and a California EMT license are highly desirable.

Great benefits. Excellent pay.

Compensation (IAFF):

Comprehensive compensation plan.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist with development of municipal hazardous materials management codes, guidelines, checklists and fee schedules
• Conducts inspections of commercial and industrial properties to determine and enforce compliance with hazardous materials, environmental protection and fire safety laws, regulations, ordinances and codes
• Assists with monitoring and tracking progress of the investigation and cleanup of locations and sites where hazardous materials and hazardous waste discharges have occurred and preparing status reports on such sites
• Maintain records and prepare reports. Maintain and update computer databases as they relate to faculties, chemical storage and hazardous materials permitting
• Through continuing education maintains a level of knowledge consistent with job requirements

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities which would typically be acquired through:

• Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, biology, or other related science associated with the study of hazardous materials, soil or groundwater contamination, or the environment or providing the equivalent of required training for unified hazardous materials program staff as specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 27; and,
• Two years related experience in inspection, investigation, sampling, code enforcement, permitting, groundwater clean-up, and regulatory functions

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications

• Forty-eight months of continuous sworn service in a Fire Department as a firefighter or higher rank.
• Possession of a valid California Emergency Medical Technician License.

Recruitment Timeline (tentative):

Application Deadline: Sunday, October 11, 2026

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) Submissions: October 15, 2026

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) Submission Review: October 19, 2026

Panel Interviews (in-person): Week of October 26, 2026

Fire Chief Interviews (in-person): Week of November 9, 2026

Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email (governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates).
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process, and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.

Technical Support:

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.