Hazardous Materials Specialist IV (Open & Promotional)

Hazardous Materials Specialist IV

San Mateo County Health is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Hazardous Materials Specialist IV. In this lead role, the Hazardous Materials Specialist IV provides direction to a team of inspection staff, while serving as a technical expert across multiple hazardous materials programs. This position plays a critical role in ensuring County-wide compliance with hazardous materials laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Key responsibilities include overseeing inspection activities, supporting program implementation, conducting community outreach, managing contracts and grants, and serving as a liaison with State agencies and regional advisory groups. The Specialist IV also ensures compliance with state reporting requirements and leads efforts to evaluate, revise, and standardize policies and procedures.

In addition to these leadership duties, the Hazardous Materials Specialist IV performs the full scope of work assigned to Hazardous Materials Specialists I/II/III. This includes independently managing an inspection district of approximately 200 facilities and conducting inspections, investigations, and enforcement activities related to hazardous materials regulations.

The selected candidate must obtain and maintain an International Code Council (ICC) California Inspector certification for underground storage tanks and complete aboveground storage tank certification within six months of hire.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise across CUPA program areas, along with experience in inspection, education, and enforcement. They are skilled at interpreting complex regulations and applying them consistently and equitably. They communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, and can effectively explain technical information to a wide range of audiences, including staff, facility representatives, elected officials, and community members. This individual is a collaborative and approachable problem-solver who builds strong working relationships with colleagues, industry partners, and regulatory agencies.

Each Specialist IV will oversee one or more program areas based on division needs.

Selected Environmental Health staff are a team of on-call specialists who serve as technical experts for the County's Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team. The Specialist IV will maintain monitoring equipment, develop response protocols, and ensure team readiness through training and guidance.

This program manages commercial and industrial responsibilities under the County's Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit (MRP) for unincorporated areas. The Specialist IV provides training and oversight to inspectors, prepares required plans (Business Inspection Plan and Enforcement Response Plan), and coordinates with the Office of Sustainability on reporting and implementation.

The County administers an annual CalRecycle grant to enforce waste tire regulations. The Specialist IV will manage the grant, oversee inspection activities, and coordinate directly with CalRecycle.

Hazardous Materials Specialist IV provide oversight for assigned CUPA programs, including:

• Hazardous Materials Storage (HMBP): Oversees inspections, program implementation, and Area Plan development.
• California Accidental Release Program (CalARP): Conducts inspections for the County's regulated CalARP sites.
• Underground Storage Tanks (UST): Provides oversight for plan checks and inspection activities.
• Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA): Ensures program implementation and inspector certification compliance.
• Hazardous Waste: Oversees hazardous waste tracking, EPA ID management, and inspections.
• Tiered Permitting: Manages reporting requirements and inspection oversight.

Ensures consistent enforcement across all programs and staff. Coordinates formal enforcement actions, including administrative cases and District Attorney referrals.

There is currently one vacancy supporting the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response and Stormwater programs. Additional vacancies are anticipated and may be filled from this recruitment. The eligible list may also be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified positions at the Hazardous Materials Specialist I–IV levels.

All positions are based in San Mateo, CA and require travel throughout the County.