What are the responsibilities and job description for the Hazardous Materials Program Manager position at The County of Santa Clara?
Description
Under direction, provides leadership and direction for hazardous materials/integrated solid waste programs within the Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency, either in the Hazardous Materials Compliance Division of the Agency's Department of Environmental Health or in the Recycling and Waste Reduction Division of the Agency's Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management.
Typical Tasks
- Provides leadership and direction for State certified or mandated programs, such as the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for hazardous materials/waste management, the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program, and the Site Mitigation Program, and implements and maintains standards mandated by State law;
- May provide leadership and direction for integrated solid waste programs, including programs such as recycling and composting, in order to increase the diversion of waste;
- Administers, manages, directs, organizes, and coordinates professional and technical multi-disciplinary staff;
- Serves as a technical expert and staff consultant in the development of specialized hazardous materials/integrated solid waste programs;
- Conducts specialized hazardous materials/integrated solid waste management studies and program audits;
- Oversees enforcement and compliance of hazardous materials/integrated solid waste laws, regulations, ordinances, and codes, and educates management of regulated facilities on the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials;
- Oversees staff who conduct investigations, and resolves citizen complaints on unauthorized releases of hazardous materials/integrated solid waste;
- Meets, answers inquires, and acts as a liaison with community groups, government agencies and private business; participates in dispute resolution processes among parties;
- Interprets laws, regulations, and codes, and provides advice to government officials, citizen groups, business owners, and others;
- Plans and conducts in-service and public education training programs;
- Maintains records, prepares extensive reports and correspondence, compiles data, evaluates procedures, and establishes guidelines for program areas;
- Appears in court as an expert witness to provide testimony in cases of criminal complaints and civil suits;
- Participates in a variety of State and County-wide committees and addresses policy issues;
- Prepares budgets and fee ordinances for programs;
- Establishes quality control and quality accountability plans to analyze implementation of various program regulations on an ongoing basis;
- Serves on technical, multi-jurisdictional local committees and negotiation teams with the purpose of furthering and enhancing the local implementation of State and County programs;
- Applies for and obtains State grant moneys, and implements and administers approved programs/grants;
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards
Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note:
Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geology, or a closely related Science from an accredited college or university;
Three (3) years of work experience equivalent to a Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist in the County of Santa Clara, including one (1) year of lead or supervision over lower level hazardous materials staff
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible work experience conducting investigations and inspections of hazardous materials/waste, or in the enforcement of Federal, State and local government health/environmental regulations, including one (1) year of lead or supervision over lower level hazardous materials staff.
Special Requirements
Some positions require possession of an ICC "California UST Inspector" certification within one (1) year of hire.
Some positions require successful completion of a California-approved Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act inspector training and a passing score on the APSA Inspector Exam within one (1) year of hire.
Possession of a valid California driver's license upon appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
Knowledge of:
Training and Experience Note:
Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Geology, or a closely related Science from an accredited college or university;
And
Two (2) years of work experience equivalent to a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist- OR -
Three (3) years of work experience equivalent to a Senior Hazardous Materials Specialist in the County of Santa Clara, including one (1) year of lead or supervision over lower level hazardous materials staff
- OR -
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible work experience conducting investigations and inspections of hazardous materials/waste, or in the enforcement of Federal, State and local government health/environmental regulations, including one (1) year of lead or supervision over lower level hazardous materials staff.
Special Requirements
Some positions require possession of an ICC "California UST Inspector" certification within one (1) year of hire.
Some positions require successful completion of a California-approved Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act inspector training and a passing score on the APSA Inspector Exam within one (1) year of hire.
Possession of a valid California driver's license upon appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
Knowledge of:
- Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to all aspects of hazardous materials/integrated solid waste management and environmental health;
- Program development, evaluation, and management;
- Techniques of organizing and motivating groups;
- Personnel management techniques;
- Principles of organizational development;
- Fiscal management and budget preparation;
- Principles of employee supervision, training, and development;
- Community consultation methods and procedures;
- Basic organic and inorganic chemistry, with a strong emphasis on chemical characteristics, and hazardous materials management and chemical effect on human health and the environment;
- Grant application preparation and project implementation;
- Principles of statistics as they relate to hazardous materials quality control and assurance;
- Computer usage and knowledge of common software programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Motivate, train, evaluate, counsel, and manage staff;
- Interpret Federal, State, and local laws and regulations relating to all aspects of hazardous materials/waste management and environmental health;
- Analyze and review new legislation under development and make recommendations on behalf of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency;
- Conduct hazardous materials/integrated solid waste management studies and audit programs in order to evaluate program effectiveness and comply with state performance standards;
- Plan, organize, and direct staff involved in all aspects of the management of the hazardous materials/integrated solid waste programs;
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other agencies, departments and the community;
- Plan and maintain a balance between revenues received from fees and services provided;
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Make public presentations before boards and commissions regarding hazardous materials/integrated solid waste issues/concerns;
- Research grant opportunities, prepare grant applications, and manage multiple grant programs.
