Associate Waste Management Specialist

About the role

The Associate Waste Management Specialist is the full advanced journey level class in the series. Under general supervision, incumbents independently perform the full range of responsible, varied and complex work described for the Assistant Waste Management Specialist (Level II), and also evaluate non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste and hazardous materials programs and facility operational effectiveness, chemical contamination of sites, and compliance with permit conditions and other regulations. Incumbents exercise considerable independence and sound judgment; they may provide leadworker and technical direction to Waste Management Specialists or other staff, or be assigned special staff roles in developing and implementing new programs.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste and hazardous materials programs and facility operational effectiveness, including chemical contamination of sites and compliance with permit conditions and regulations.
• Exercise considerable independence and sound judgment in performing duties.
• Provide leadworker and technical direction to Waste Management Specialists or other assigned staff.
• Serve on special staff assignments to develop and implement new programs.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing solid and/or liquid non-hazardous and/or hazardous waste and materials management, waste planning, resource recovery, education, safety, and program and/or facility development and operations.
• Industry and community waste management practices.
• Methods and procedures used in inspecting, identifying and correcting hazardous conditions associated with hazardous materials.
• Industrial hygiene practices.
• Principles and practices in emergency preparedness.
• Chemical testing for identification of hazardous materials.
• Principles of chemistry, biology and toxicology applicable to hazardous materials.
• Effects of hazardous materials and their interaction on human health and the environment.
• Hazardous waste generation, transportation and disposal practices.
• Field and laboratory chemical analysis techniques for the identification and management of hazardous and acutely hazardous materials and wastes.
• Toxicology, risk assessment and risk management principles.
• Environmental health and sanitation principles and regulations.
• Current principles and practices in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, toxicology, and public health as they relate to hazardous materials and waste management.
• Resource recovery techniques.
• Leadworker principles and practices, program development, and training techniques.

Ability to

• Use personal protective clothing and equipment to protect against exposure to hazardous materials.
• Analyze self-inspection and investigation findings and prepare clear, concise reports and recommendations.
• Conduct limited field waste analysis chemical testing.
• Read, speak and write English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance.
• Establish and maintain effective communication with members of the public under difficult circumstances.
• Plan and serve as leadworker over others.
• Provide project management.
• Instruct others, individually and in groups.
• Analyze inspection and investigation findings and prepare clear, concise reports and recommendations.
• Assist in developing or implementing new programs.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, other governmental agencies, business, industry, community groups and the general public.
• Rapidly analyze information and make quick and accurate decisions in emergency situations.
• Access and interpret information from computer databases.
• Select and effectively use proper personal protective clothing and other equipment to prevent overexposure to hazardous substances.

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Either:

• One year of full-time experience in the class of Assistant Waste Management Specialist (Level II) in Sacramento County service.

Or:

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited four-year college or university in engineering, planning, chemistry, biology, industrial hygiene, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• AND two years of full-time experience in liquid and/or solid non-hazardous or hazardous waste; non-hazardous or hazardous materials programs and/or waste facilities.

Note: Full-time experience in one of the areas outlined above may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.

License Requirement

Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required prior to appointment. Failure to maintain a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher may constitute cause for termination from the class in accordance with Civil Service Rule 11.4. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs at considerable heights.
• Stoop and bend in confined spaces.
• See to read gauges and meters in dimly lighted areas.
• Move safely in unlighted areas or over uneven terrain at night.
• Wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus.
• Ability to lift a 40 pound object to shoulder level.

Work Schedule and Conditions

Incumbents are subject to emergency and on-call work in all kinds of weather and under hazardous conditions, at other than normal duty hours.

Special Certificate or Course Requirements

Completion of the HAZWOPER 40-hour training course and/or the 8-hour annual refresher course within the past 12 months is desirable but not required prior to appointment.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six months.