County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision to assist the Department in its implementation of 20 different regulatory or service programs including but not limited to Recreation (pools and spas), Vector Control, Hazardous Materials, Household Hazardous Waste, and several components of the Food Protection Program such as the vehicle and special events unit. This position will assist in all aspects of these programs to the extent that other forms of professional registration are not required or specialized skills inherent to the Technician or Specialist positions are not essential.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Environmental Health Technician class is located in the Department of Environmental Health. This position is responsible for assisting registered professionals or nonregistered professionals in the performance of their duties This class differs from the Environmental Health Specialist or Hazardous Materials Specialist in that these classifications are responsible for conducting food protection site inspections and hazardous waste field investigations and possessing special knowledge of proper interpretation of relevant Health and Safety Code and State Regulations. The higher classifications are frequently called upon to act independently and make decisions under difficult conditions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Writes correspondence, fills out forms, develops reports, and maintains integrity and accuracy of program records, data management and facility permits as assigned.

2. Assists the Specialists by completing relevant forms for each specialized program such as proper handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste forms for Household Hazardous Waste.

3. Uses computer for entry and retrieval of information pertaining to the operation of the facility.

4. Adheres to fundamental Federal, State and local laws as defined by the Specialists for program(s) such as household hazardous waste, .food and recreation.

5. Under direction, uses and maintains office and field equipment particular to the program assigned to ; assist in the ordering and maintaining of supplies including equipment forms, safety wear, vehicles and disaster preparedness supplies.

When Assigned to Household Hazardous Waste:

6. Receives household and Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator hazardous waste from the public.

7. Segregates and packages hazardous materials and waste including sharps by methods compatible with chemical characteristics and applicable laws.

8. Assists in the mobile collection of household hazardous waste for the elderly and disabled.

9. Characterizes unknowns by use of hazardous material techniques.

10. Directs traffic greets public, answers questions, provides instruction on use of facility services.

11. Responds to spills or release of hazardous materials at the facilities.

12. Participates in all maintenance work related to keeping the facility in good working order.


When Assigned to CUPA/LOP/Solid Waste/Biomedical Waste/Body Art:

13. Assists in resolving billing issues with regulated facilities either through document review in the office or field visit to the facility verifying information such as chemical inventory and personnel applied to hazardous waste issues.

14. Assists in resolving compliance issues based on submitted documentation relative to chemical inventories, locations of chemical processes within the regulated facility, and record keeping practices of the regulated facility.

15. Assists in developing file summaries once a case has been deemed ready for closure.

16. Assists in the office activities relative to the Public Records Act.

17. Assists in field activities and where special professional registration is not required, implements designated program activities along with the register professional or individually based on the assignment.

18. Assists businesses with their CERs data submittals


When Assigned to Food/Recreations

19. Assists in resolving billing issues with regulated facilities either through document review in the office or field visit to the facility verifying information such as chemical inventory and personnel applied to hazardous waste issues.

20. Assists in resolving compliance issues based on submitted documentation relative to chemical inventories, locations of chemical processes within the regulated facility, and record keeping practices of the regulated facility.

21. Assists specialist when inspection requires two office staff.

22. Monitors area where inspections are being conducted for other environmental concerns such as vector issues or refuse problems.

23. Assists in developing file summaries once a case has been deemed ready for closure.

24. Assists in the office activities relative to the Public Records Act.

25. Assists in field activities and where special professional registration is not required, implements designated program activities along with the register professional or individually based on the assignment and legal authority vest in certain professional registrations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education:

Possession of Associate Science (AS) degree in environmental or Earth sciences, including but not limited to chemistry, industrial hygiene, toxicology and hazardous materials management, geology, public health, engineering, or food science.

AND

Experience:

Minimum of three years of full-time experience in the field of environmental health or hazardous materials or vector control or other life or earth science.

OR II

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in industrial hygiene, environmental health science, physical science, engineering science or a related earth or life science.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

May be required to perform heavy lifting up to a maximum of 50 pounds moving containers and drums using manual handling equipment.
May be required to work in adverse weather conditions.
May be required to work on uneven ground.
May be required to work flexible schedules that may also include one or both weekend days and evening work hours.
May drive a motor vehicle for periods up to 1 hour on a regular basis.
Must be medically qualified/cleared to wear a half face and full face respirator.
Must be clean shaven at all times compliant with OSHA 1910.20 specifications with respect to facial hair and respirator usage.

License:

Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle operator’s license.
Possess and maintain a valid Class C California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Candidate must submit evidence from DMV showing current status of their license at the time of application and must have a clean driving record for the previous 3-year period.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• General understanding of public health, industrial hygiene, environmental sanitation, and engineering practices and principles.
• General understanding of State water code, health and safety code, California code of regulations.
• General understanding of methods, techniques and practices used in the determination and elimination of health hazards.
• General understanding of basic best management practices in the handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes, evaluation of field conditions for the identification of pest types. Standard water sampling protocol for swimming pool water samples.
• Computer software applications, telecommunications equipment such as smart phones and interlinkage of this equipment.
• Working knowledge of search engines, sharing, saving and using word processing programs and spreadsheets such as Excel.


Ability to:

• Investigate, accurately record observations, evaluate findings and use field-testing equipment under direction.
• Prepare comprehensive reports using pre-formatted forms.
• Interpret and apply relevant laws and regulations with the assistance of the relevant Specialist.
• Oral/written communications.
• Use of basic hand tools.
• Use of standard office equipment. Modern office practices and procedures, including data entry and standard office equipment operations.
• Computer skills such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and the Internet.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:pb/6/18/92
Old doc: 1194h
New doc name: 5649.doc
co: 5/1/00 (did not go to CSC)
GE/jc: Rev: 12/28/00
Csc date: 6/20/01
HMC:cs Revised/Retitled 4/23/14 and 8/8/14
Old Title: Hazardous Materials Technician
CSC Date: 8/20/14

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.