Principal Hazardous Materials Technician - 141298

UC San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

UC San Diego EH&S seeks a Principal Hazardous Materials Technician to manage the collection, processing, and shipment of hazardous waste from university laboratories and facilities. Responsibilities include analyzing, segregating, lab-packing, labeling, and preparing shipping documents for transport.

The role supports radioactive, chemical, and biohazardous materials inventory and data management, directing EH&S staff and assisting faculty, researchers, and contractors on waste issues.

Qualifications

• Graduated high school or GED with four years of experience in an EH&S program, or two years of college with three years of EH&S experience.
• Completion of an accredited hazardous materials management curriculum to meet HAZWOPER requirements.

Responsibilities

• Process hazardous waste and materials from university labs and facilities.
• Coordinate shipments with waste transporters and TSDFs.
• Provide guidance to staff and student employees in waste handling and disposal.
• Assist with inventory and data management of hazardous materials.
• Respond to chemical spills and participate in campus emergency response.
• Provide technical direction to EH&S Senior Technicians.

Skills

Hazardous waste handling

Regulatory compliance

Safety procedures

Communication skills

Data management

Equipment operation

Education

High school diploma or GED + 4 years EH&S experience

Two years college with science courses + 3 years EH&S experience

HAZWOPER certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Shipping documentation

Job description

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 9/14/26 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) is dedicated to the reduction of risks within the UC San Diego community, and to the promotion of safety as value in our university culture. We are pleased to provide health, safety, and environmental services to everyone at UC San Diego. Our goal is to support the mission of the university by helping staff, faculty, and students take an active role in protecting their health and the environment.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The University of California, San Diego, Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Principal Hazardous Materials Technician, under the supervision of the EH&S Hazardous Materials Compliance Supervisor, is responsible for the collection and processing of chemical, biological/medical, radiological, and universal waste and materials from university labs and facilities.

The incumbent processes hazardous waste and materials, including analyzing, segregating, compacting, vial crushing, solidifying, recycling, lab-packing, consolidating, radioactive material decaying, marking and labeling shipping containers, and preparing shipping documents for transportation. Incumbent supports the radioactive, chemical, and biohazardous materials inventory and data management. Provide technical direction and information to EH&S Senior Technicians in the performance of the above.

Coordinates shipments with waste transporters and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF). Provides assistance to university faculty, researchers, staff, and contractors on issues related to the accumulation, packaging, storage, labeling, and disposal of chemical, biological/medical, universal, and radioactive waste. Provides guidance and work direction to student employees in their functions at the Environmental Management Facility.

This position is part of the campus emergency response team, which responds to hazardous materials spills and chemical emergencies and assists with hazardous materials cleanup.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and four years of experience in an environmental health and safety program, or two years of college including appropriate science courses and three years of experience in an environmental health and safety program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

• Demonstrated experience working with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding the management, handling and transportation of hazardous waste including chemical, radiological, mixed, and medical waste.

• Completion of an accredited hazardous materials management curriculum to meet the HAZWOPER requirements.

• Demonstrated knowledge of manifest completion according to Land Disposal Restriction and Hazardous Waste profiles associated with shipping radioactive and hazardous wastes.

• Proven knowledge of chemistry principles, chemical health and safety, analytical techniques, chemical compatibility, and spill cleanup procedures including the proper application of Personal Protective Equipment.

• Proven knowledge of radiation physics principles, radiation health and safety and spill cleanup procedures include the application of proper Personal Protective Equipment.

• Ability to organize, work independently exercising good judgement, take initiative, set priorities, meet deadlines and schedule tasks to complete projects effectively and efficiently. High attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to handle routine administrative matters without close supervision.

• Good oral communication skills necessary to effectively complete hazardous waste collection, management, and disposal and relate technical information to a diverse clientele using a professional and gracious manner in person, email, and on the telephone. Strong interpersonal skills to interact with all members of a diverse organization.

• Good writing and reading skills. Ability to use writing skills to effectively communicate technical information to a diverse clientele.

• Demonstrated ability to safely drive, park, and navigate large box trucks around congested campus and city streets.

• Ability to complete basic functions on a computer terminal using Microsoft Office Applications, including data entry, database queries, word processing, and spreadsheets.

• Ability to operate safely all equipment at the EMF including trucks and lift gates, forklift, hand trucks, pallet jacks, carts and other lifting aids.

• Reliable and dependable in performing job-related tasks, finishing assigned projects, and meeting deadlines.

• Demonstrates competency and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

• Must be able and willing to wear personal protective equipment, including respirators, and respond to health and safety emergencies.

• Employees must complete the OSHA respirator medical evaluation process and be medically cleared by a Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional before being fit-tested or required to wear a respirator.

• May be required to work overtime.

• Serve as EHS Response Team member. May be requested to respond back to campus to support the EHS Duty Officer in the event of an after-hours, weekend, or holiday incident involving hazardous materials.

• Must possess HAZWOPER certification.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $84,606 - $101,853 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $40.52 - $48.78

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).