County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, the Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist will supervise and review the work of professional and clerical staff in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), Local Oversight Program (LOP), Solid/Medical Waste Programs, and Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) programs in the Department of Environmental Health; assist the Chief of Environmental Protection and act in his/her absence; and perform related work assignments as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This position is the first level supervisor in the Hazardous Materials Specialist series. This classification is distinguished from the next higher level class of Chief, Environmental Protection by having responsibility for the day-to-day activities of a work unit that may include Senor Hazardous Materials Specialist, Hazardous Materials Specialists, and/or Hazardous Materials Technicians who are engaged in the collection and disposal of hazardous household material and/or enforcing hazardous waste control laws and/or overseeing environmental clean up projects.

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. The technical skills needed to address the needs of each unit may vary.

1. Monitors quality of service and quantity of service provided to serviced clientele.

2. Receives, reviews and approves staff records, daily work logs and correspondence for accuracy, completeness, propriety of recommendation and conformity to departmental policy.

3. Makes periodic field inspections with staff to develop familiarity with district problems, to observe and evaluate staff inspection and educational techniques, and to assist and support staff members in resolving work problems.

4. Holds periodic conferences with staff members to discuss, guide, and train them in proper approaches to mitigate technical environmental health, hazardous materials management, and site mitigation problems.

5. Organizes and manages the programs as assigned and monitors the program’s budget.

6. Supervises the review of waste management through disposal and recycling techniques, environmental clean up projects, and compliance by regulated facilities with state and federal hazardous material and waste regulations.

7. Confers with the Chief of Environmental Protection to develop, evaluate and update grants, memoranda of understanding and inter-agency agreements.

8. Represents the programs in interactions with the public and other agencies through educational outreach and technical or policy consultations. Responds to non-routine calls and encounters with the public and confers with the Chief of Environmental Protection on unusual matters and difficult problems.

9. Assists in the interview and selection of employees; provides orientation and training of new personnel; provides necessary counseling and feedback on employee work performance: conducts annual employee evaluations; advises employees of current policies/procedures and initiates disciplinary action when appropriate.

10. Assists in preparing proposed ordinances and legal documents.

11. Directs investigations to gather evidence, determine facts of violation, and document such facts; may testify in court.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental health science, industrial hygiene, physical science, engineering science or related field. (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, Registered Engineer or Registered Geologist is desired for vacancies in the LOP or CUPA programs.)

AND

Experience:

Either I

The equivalent of one year full-time experience in the class of Supervising Environmental Health Specialist in the Alameda County classified service.

Or II

The equivalent of two years of experience in the class of Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist in the Alameda County classified service.


Or III

The equivalent of three years full-time experience in the class of Hazardous Materials Specialist in the Alameda County classified service or the equivalent of four years in a position equivalent to the class of Hazardous Materials Technician including one year of lead or supervisory experience in the Alameda County classified service. Experience in private sector industries or consultant firms in one or more of the disciplines associated with hazardous materials and waste management is acceptable experience. (A post graduate degree may substitute for one year of the required experience).

License: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License

Special Requirements:

Must be available to work varying shifts, including weekends.
Must be available to work at events held off-site within the county.
Must be able to perform physical work, including outdoors and/or in inclement weather.

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:

• Provisions of Federal, State and local ordinances and regulations relating to environmental protection.
• Relevant technologies and analysis tools.
• Principles and practices of environmental health, occupational health, industrial health.
• Functions and operations of associated agencies.
• Budgetary procedures.
• Computer software applications such as spreadsheet, word processing and database programs.

Abilities:

• Interact with other County departments to coordinate maintenance of the facilities.
• Interact with various materials, supply and disposal vendors.
• Ordering of supplies and equipment.
• Reviewing and approving of invoices, bills and statements from vendors.
• Recordkeeping.
• Report writing.
• Interact with regulatory agencies.
• Assisting with procurement of goods and services.
• Coordinating and tracking training for the program workers.
• Written communication.
• Oral communication.
• Decision making.
• Leadership.
• Planning and organization.
• Management techniques.
• Budget analysis.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

LB:pb-5/18/88
AM:lm-Rev. 6/96
GE:pf 2/26/01 Rev.
Newspec: 5656.doc
Csc date: 3/28/01
NLB:jf Revised 12/14/17
CSC Date: 2/14/18

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)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• 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
• Management Paid Leave**
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.