Principal Hazardous Materials Technician - 141298

University of California San Diego

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 56,000 - 67,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

UC San Diego EH&S seeks a Principal Hazardous Materials Technician to lead collection and processing of chemical, radiological, and biohazardous wastes from university labs and facilities.

The role involves packaging, labeling, shipping documents, and supporting inventories with a focus on safety and regulatory compliance. Strong communication and independent work are essential.

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or GED with EH&S experience or equivalent.
Knowledge of federal/state/local hazardous waste laws and regulations.
HAZWOPER certification or equivalent training.
Knowledge of manifest completion for hazardous/radiologic waste.
Chemistry principles and spill cleanup procedures.
Radiation safety principles and spill response.
Ability to plan, prioritize, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
Strong written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.
Safe driving and equipment operation for EMF processes.
Proficiency in computer tools and data management.
Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

Collect and process chemical, biological/medical, radiological, and universal waste from labs.
Analyze, segregate, compact, vial crush, solidify, and ship hazardous materials.
Support radioactive, chemical, and biohazard inventories and data management.
Provide guidance to EH&S senior technicians and student staff.
Coordinate shipments with waste transporters and TSDF facilities.
Advise faculty and researchers on waste accumulation, packaging, labeling and disposal.
Be part of campus emergency response for spills and cleanups.

Skills

HAZWOPER training

Hazardous waste handling

Chemistry knowledge

Radiation safety

Safety documentation

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Drive large trucks

Computer literacy

Diversity & inclusion

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED; related college courses or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Payroll Title: EHS TCHN PRN

Department: EH&S

Hiring Pay Scale: $40.52- $48.78/hour

Worksite: Campus

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: TX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8 hrs/day, Mon-Fri

#141298 Principal Hazardous Materials Technician

Filing Deadline: Wed 9/23/2026

UC San Diego values and welcomes people from all backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of our team, possess the needed licensure and certifications, and feel that you have most of the qualifications and/or transferable skills for a job opening, we strongly encourage you to apply.

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.

DESCRIPTION

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 including 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).

If employed by the University of California, you will be required to comply with our Policy on Vaccination Programs, which may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. \"Misconduct\" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct: