Hazardous Materials Trainee

County of Santa Clara; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara seeks a Hazardous Materials Trainee to assist in inspections, sampling oversight, and enforcement under the CUPA framework. The role provides on‑the‑job training in hazardous materials management, remediation concepts, and regulatory compliance.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree (preferably in a related science) and a valid California driver's license. Duties include reporting, data collection, and coordination with agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, with at least 30 semester units for CUPA eligibility.
• Basic understanding of hazardous materials management and related science.

Responsibilities

• Attend training on hazardous materials management principles, site remediation, and risk assessment.
• Observe sampling techniques for suspected hazardous waste to identify unauthorized releases.
• Conduct inspections for compliance with hazardous materials laws and regulations.
• Maintain inventories of hazardous materials/waste facilities and assist in remediation projects.
• Prepare professional reports and documentation of findings for use in actions.

Skills

Interpret laws

Report writing

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Tools

MS Office

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.

This recruitment is for a position working in the Department of Environmental Health's Hazardous Materials Program, which is authorized by the California Environmental Protection Agency to operate as a Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).

IMPORTANT

EXAMINATION DATES: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take a written examination that will be conducted online through a secure third party, TENTATIVELY scheduled for the week of November 10, 2026. Qualifying candidates will be notified with examination instructions via the email address attached to their application.

• 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; Hazardous Materials Trainee
• 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.

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

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.