Hazardous Materials Trainee

The County of Santa Clara; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara is seeking a Hazardous Materials Trainee to work under close supervision, learning to conduct inspections, collect samples, and assist with enforcement of hazmat laws within the County.

Responsibilities include attending training in remediation, preparing reports, maintaining records, and assisting in inter‑agency investigations, with a focus on CUPA requirements and environmental health practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a science field with at least 30 semester units required for CUPA.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license prior to appointment.
• Fundamental understanding of hazardous materials management and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections and investigations to enforce Federal, State and Local hazmat laws and regulations.
• Assist with enforcement activities and prepare reports of findings.
• Maintain inventories of hazardous materials/waste facilities and assist in remediation projects.
• Gather information from inspections and prepare documentation for use in legal actions.
• Provide technical assistance and informational literature to stakeholders.

Skills

Chemistry basics

Data interpretation

Report writing

Communication

Records management

Statistical analysis

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, or related Science

30 semester units required for CUPA certification

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

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.

Hazardous Materials Trainee

• 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;
• 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.

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.