Hazardous Materials Specialist I

Job Description:

Hazardous Materials Specialist I

Description

The Position

Why join Contra Costa Health Services?
The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Hazardous Materials Specialist I position. There are currently two (2) vacancies in the Hazardous Materials Programs Division located in Martinez, CA.

Hazardous Materials Specialists are staffed in the Hazardous Materials Programs Division within the Health Services Department. The Hazardous Materials Specialist will conduct hazardous materials and stormwater compliance inspections and complaint investigations; provide assistance to businesses, agencies, and the public. Hazardous Materials Specialists may participate on the Hazardous Materials Incident Response Team and respond to actual or threatened releases of hazardous materials.

The mission of the Hazardous Materials Programs is to protect human health and the environment by promoting pollution prevention, increasing process safety knowledge and environmental awareness, regulating the use and disposal of hazardous materials, responding to hazardous material release incidents, and implementing consistent regulatory compliance and enforcement programs for business using and storing hazardous materials in Contra Costa County.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strong communicator. You will be responsible for providing clear guidance and conducting compliance inspections verbally and in writing to regulated businesses, communities, agencies, and the public
• A problem solver. You will be investigating environmental complaints and performing enforcement actions that require you to resolve non-compliant issues
• Self-motivated. You will be expected to take the initiative and accept new challenges
• Knowledgeable. You will need to be aware of the impact pollutants have on public health and the environment, and be able to interpret and understand laws and regulations
• A team player. You will be responsible for working with a team, outside agencies, and in the community

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Conducting compliance inspections at regulated businesses
• Preparing written reports to document observations, findings, and activities
• Investigating environmental complaints
• Providing guidance to regulated communities, agencies, and the public
• Reviewing and understanding laws and regulations to ensure environmental compliance at regulated facilities
• Participating in the division’s response to hazardous materials incidents
• Performing enforcement actions necessary to achieve environmental compliance

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work with businesses, organizations, agencies, and the public to reduce the negative impacts of pollution on public health and the environment
• You will be part of a dedicated team of individuals that work with our regulated community to improve hazardous materials safety and achieve environmental compliance
• You will coordinate with organizations and public agencies to improve areawide, disaster preparedness and response plans and exercises
• You will be a team member of the only health department-based Type I Hazardous Materials Response team
• You will receive a benefits package that includes Safety Retirement

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• The regulated community within Contra Costa County includes businesses where hazardous materials management is complex and difficult to regulate
• Emergency responses to large, hazardous materials releases are fast paced, and may pose a significant threat to public health and the environment
• Conflicts can arise when regulating businesses where good communication and interpersonal skills are needed

Competencies Required:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data: Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data
• General Physical Ability: Using strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and coordination
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards
• Action & Results Focused (Taking Initiative): Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Managing Performance: Ensuring superior individual and group performance
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in context of achieving long range objective

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr .
The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operator's license. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator's license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, industrial engineering, industrial hygiene, toxicology, physical sciences, biological sciences, or a closely related field.

Experience: One (1) year of full-time or its equivalent experience either: 1) performing hazardous materials/hazardous waste inspections; 2) developing environmental regulatory programs; 3) directing the technical operations of a facility which generates, stores, handles, treats, or disposes of hazardous materials; 4) performing industrial hygiene or occupational health duties; or 5) performing inspections and/or investigations in the field of environmental health as a registered Environmental Health Specialist in the State of California.

Substitution: Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, industrial engineering, industrial hygiene, toxicology, physical sciences, biological sciences, or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Certification Requirement: Within six (6) months of employment, must obtain and hold a certificate of completion of coursework that meets the requirements of the California Occupational Health and Safety Administration's (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response standard (CCR Title 5192 et seq). Also, within six (6) months of employment or other timeframe set forth by regulation, must possess all certifications required to perform Unified Program inspections as defined by CCR.

Special Requirements: Incident Response (IR) Team will be required to take and pass an annual physical which includes respirator authorization.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Possession of International Code Council (ICC) certification
• Possession of California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector Training certification
• Knowledge of Chemistry and Physics
• Experience with Microsoft Office and Teams
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) inspector training program
• Possession of 40-hour HAZWOPER Certification (CCR Title 8, sec 5192)
• Experience regulating or managing hazardous materials and wastes
• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Basic Inspector Academy

Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Training and Experience Questionnaire: Candidates will be required to complete a training and experience questionnaire at the time of filing. The responses to the training and experience questions on the supplemental questionnaire will be used to evaluate candidates r elevant education, training and/or experience as it relates to this classification. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at Exams@cchealth.org . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1-855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY
After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$96,587.63 - $117,402.83 Annually