Hazardous Materials Specialist (Household Hazardous Waste)

 YOU MUST BE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO APPLY

THIS IS A NEW PROMOTIONAL ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. Qualified applicants must be current county employees and have completed, by the last day for filing, the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service.  A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments.  

Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Applications will only be accepted on-line.

THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California's seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,700 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $3.4 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California's eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.  

THE HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well-being of Alameda County residents.  For more information about the Health Care Services Agency, please visit www.acgov.org/health/

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Alameda County Department of Environmental Health operates various programs to protect the public.  For more information about the department of Environmental Health, please visit www.acgov.org/aceh/.

THE POSITION

Under general direction, conducts hazardous waste investigations and evaluates and interprets problems of environmental and public health hazards. This position works under the general direction of a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.

The Hazardous Materials Specialists are located in the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Local Oversight Program (LOP), and the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program, of the Environmental Health Department. Incumbents conduct investigations and site data analysis for industrial, governmental and community sites regarding possible health hazards, environmental impact, or regulatory compliance concerns. The Hazardous Materials Specialist is distinguished from the Environmental Health Specialist in that the latter is primarily responsible for environmental and public health impacts associated with the improper use or storage of hazardous materials or has responsibility for the safe operation of Household Hazardous Waste Facilities, HHWF's. The handling and managing of hazardous waste requires a comprehensive knowledge of the hazardous materials field. Incumbents receive direction from a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist.  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.

Household Hazardous Waste Program: Incumbents assigned to Household Hazardous Waste will assist in receiving, unloading, identifying, categorizing, properly packaging, and loading of Hazardous waste received from households and small businesses at three Household Hazardous Waste Transfer facilities in Hayward, Livermore and Oakland. Incumbents with proper training will additionally perform light maintenance and cleaning of the facility and equipment, identify unknown chemicals, perform inspections, receive and check supplies, keep records and perform other administrative tasks, as well as other duties related to operating a Household hazardous waste facility.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

In addition to the minimum qualifications and knowledge and skills listed below, the ideal candidate will:

• Possess a strong ability to gather, analyze and compile information and implement regulations to address compliance related issues and problems.
• Leverage automated systems and technology to achieve efficiencies and improve program performance.
• Consistently manage time and resources to appropriately prioritize and complete goals and assignments.
• Be an effective communicator, and have the ability to explain program requirements and concepts to the public and present to a diverse population.
• Be a collaborator and a team player who maintains and cultivates successful working relationships with others.
• Be able to identify safety issues and problems; detects hazardous working conditions and safety problems; checks equipment and/or work area regularly.
• Problem solve with high standards for quality, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to public service. 
• Learn and adapt to new procedures and processes successfully
• Meet the HHW Specialty Designation: a minimum of one year working in a Household Hazardous Waste facility, handling and managing hazardous waste, and properly categorizing and packing hazardous materials in compliance with Federal, State, local standards, guidelines, codes, laws and regulations.

For a detailed listing of the essential responsibilities and core competency requirements for this position, please click here for the job description.

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 field,

AND

Experience:
The equivalent of two years of increasingly responsible, full-time experience in hazardous materials management, environmental health inspections, industrial hygiene practices, operations of a HHWF, or in a research and resources recovery program in a hazardous materials program. (A Master's degree in an appropriate field may be substituted for the equivalent of year of the required experience).

License:
Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Certification:
Incumbents must be certified under applicable Occupational Health and Safety standards as established within HAZWOPER guidelines within 6 months of appointment.

Special Requirements:

• Meet the HHW Specialty Designation: a minimum of one year working in a Household Hazardous Waste facility, handling and managing hazardous waste, and properly categorizing and packing hazardous materials in compliance with Federal, State, local standards, guidelines, codes, laws and regulations.
• May require working under adverse working conditions and in adverse weather.
• When assigned to the HHW, employee may be asked to perform various physical demands such as lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, climbing and walk or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• When assigned to CUPA/LOP may be asked to walk on uneven surfaces or walk or stand for prolonged periods of time.

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

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Public Health, industrial hygiene, environmental sanitation, environmental contamination, geology and engineering practices and principles.
• Method, techniques and practices used in the determination, mitigation and elimination of health hazards.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local standards, guidelines, codes, laws and regulations.
• Basic practices in the transportation and disposal of hazardous wastes.
• Statistical methods and survey techniques.
• Basic knowledge of operations of a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, CUPA/LOP.
• Categorizing and packaging hazardous wastes for shipment.
• Principles and practices related to environmental contamination.
• Computer applications related to work.

Ability to:

• Perform field investigations.
• Collect samples of substances.
• Prepare comprehensive reports.
• Interpret technical data and reports related to environmental contamination.
• Exercise sound independent judgment.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear and concise technical and administrative correspondence.
• Interpret and apply relevant laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing with staff and the general public.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with team members.

The examination will consist of the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. 2) Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process which is an oral interview examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview examination may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:  

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN: 

**The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues.  To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

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

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Nicole Lewis-Bolton, Human Resources Analyst II

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 272-6468 • nicole.lewis-bolton@acgov.org

Disaster Service Worker

All Alameda 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 report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity