Hazardous Materials Specialist II

CAREER DESCRIPTION

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPECIALIST IISolid Waste Program

SALARY INFORMATION

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date: Effective July 1, 2022 – 3.5% increase
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
This position is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the day the County's needs are met. Applicants are encouraged to apply right away.

This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list. This list will be used to fill current and future Hazardous Materials Specialist II positions within the Health Care Agency, Environmental Health Division. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the direction of the Agency Director, a new and dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of seven service areas - Finance and Administrative, Mental Health & Recovery, Correctional Health, Medical Health Services, Office of Care Coordination, Public Health and Strategy and Special Projects is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION
The Environmental Health Division is comprised of various programs aimed towards protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses with providing healthy and safe communities. The Environmental Health Division regulates the following: retail, wholesale, and mobile food facilities; public housing; and public swimming pools.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Hazardous Materials Specialist II in the Solid Waste Program is responsible for technical and specialized work in the field of Solid Waste. The position provides regulatory oversight of permitting, inspection, investigation and enforcement of duties and responsibilities of comprehensive Solid Waste enforcement issues. Other duties include, but are not limited to, the following,

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  Conducting field inspections and complaint investigations at active and closed landfills, other disposal sites, transfer stations, and composting facilities to ensure compliance with solid waste laws and regulations, including State Minimum Standards
• Performing landfill-gas screening and monitoring of probes using portable instruments
• Reviewing and analyzing report data using an advanced level of knowledge of public health and safety, solid waste operations, and landfill gas control and monitoring methods
• Reviewing various plans and reports regarding solid waste facilities and operations including landfills, transfer stations, composting operations, and other non-disposal sites
• Conducting periodic permit reviews of applicable Solid Waste facilities and revising the permits as needed
• Reviewing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents regarding solid waste facilities permits and land redevelopment
• Communicating with CalRecycle or other regulatory agencies to ensure all agencies that regulate solid waste facilities and operations are informed of each other’s actions
• Performing investigations related to solid waste complaints submitted by the public and outside agencies and making enforcement determinations based on solid waste laws and regulations
• Hosting public meetings and giving public presentations regarding solid waste permits

Please note that this position has required inspections at 4:30 AM at the landfills on a quarterly or more basis. No exceptions.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSThe ideal candidate for the Solid Waste program will have at least three (3) years of experience working in the field of regulatory oversight related to compliance with California environmental laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards or three (3) years conducting field work associated with solid waste facilities and/or operations. Experience working as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), Engineer, or Professional Geologist is desirable, but not required.
The ideal candidate will also possess knowledge and experience in the following competencies:

Specialized Knowledge | Technical Expertise

• Knowledge of geology, geography, chemistry and laboratory techniques, hazardous materials identification, and biology
• Applying principles of environmental health
• Understanding effects of hazardous materials and their interaction on the environment
• Reading, understanding, and applying state and federal laws and regulations regarding solid waste, hazardous materials, site mitigation, and/or hazardous and solid waste management

Relationship Building and Collaboration

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with peers, supervisors, managers, vendors, the public and the other State and local agencies
• Generating enthusiasm and motivating others to act in support of program objectives
• Collaborating with stakeholders of various backgrounds, organizations and levels
• Interacting with various industries, businesses, and the community by responding to questions, customer service, public outreach, and technical consultation

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• Managing workload effectively and meeting program deadlines
• Ability to analyze information gathered from observation
• Being adaptable and flexible while maintaining a focus on program quality and service
• Providing critical and relevant information to program management in a timely manner

Oral and Written Communication Skills

• Preparing written inspection reports, technical and enforcement letters
• Enforcing and explaining regulations varying in difficulty and complexity
• Communicating effectively, persuasively, and tactfully both in person and in writing
• Ability to speak in front of the public and conduct public meetings

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Please click here for the minimum qualifications for Hazardous Materials Specialist II as well as the physical, mental and environmental conditions.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.
Application Appraisal | HR Review Rating (Weighted 100%): An Application Appraisal conducted by HRS will thoroughly screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above. Only the most qualified applicants will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List: Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related requirements.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and laws, regulations, and policies regarding COVID-19 are subject to change. The County of Orange is required to comply with all applicable State or County Public Health Orders, some of which require vaccination or testing as follows:

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  Workers, who provide services in certain Medical or High-Risk Settings, will be required to provide proof of full vaccination from COVID-19 or to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
• Workers, who provide services in certain Health Care Facilities or in a correctional facility or detention center where health care is provided, will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated and boosted. (Workers may be exempt from this requirement based on religious beliefs or a qualifying medical reason; however, if exempted, they will be required to wear a mask and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.)

The position for which you are applying may be required to adhere to any applicable State or County Public Health Orders. You will receive notification of any requirement as it applies to a position.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Liza Butler at 714-834-5304 or EButler@ochca.com.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays-we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.