Hazardous Materials Specialist IV (Open & Promotional)

Full Job Description

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.

Ideal Candidate

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.

Program Areas

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

Hazardous Materials Emergency Response

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.

Stormwater

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.

Waste Tire Enforcement Grant

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.

Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Core Programs

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.

Enforcement

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

Current and Future Opportunities

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.

Requirements

Responsibilities vary depending on program assignment and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide lead direction, training, and work review to staff; assign and coordinate work and ensure timely completion
• Contribute to hiring decisions, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes
• Serve as a technical expert and advisor in assigned program areas
• Conduct inspections to ensure compliance with hazardous materials laws and regulations
• Operate and interpret results from field testing equipment
• Perform studies, audits, investigations, and inspections; recommend corrective actions
• Develop and standardize inspection procedures and techniques
• Conduct enforcement activities and support County-wide projects
• Investigate and resolve complaints, act as liaison with community groups, agencies, and businesses
• Support site mitigation monitoring and collect samples
• Respond to hazardous materials emergencies as needed
• Analyze data and develop proposed policies, procedures, or legislation
• Provide regulatory guidance to stakeholders
• Deliver staff and public training programs
• Maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence
• Serve as an expert witness when required
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• Three years of journey level experience in hazardous materials management, which demonstrates significant responsibility in the areas of storage, transportation, handling and disposal of hazardous materials and/or hazardous waste; underground tank construction, monitoring and removal; or underground tank site remediation.

Knowledge of:

• Hazardous materials management, including its scientific background, technology, principles, methods, investigative techniques and problems.
• Laws, regulations and codes governing hazardous materials.
• Emergency response procedures and protocols.
• Government agencies, community organizations and business establishments relate to environmental health and hazardous materials management.
• Basic practices in transportation and disposal of hazardous waste.

Skill/Ability to:

• Plan, direct and coordinate a program of research, study, and investigation in hazardous materials/waste management.
• Interpret laws, regulations and data.
• Define difficult problem areas, analyze complex data and make valid recommendations.
• Advise and instruct others on compliance requirements of hazardous waste programs.
• Comply with local ordinances and state law.
• Work independently.
• Keep complex and accurate records.
• Speak effectively and make public presentations.
• Prepare clear, concise reports and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Use, repair and calibrate field equipment.
• Handle and analyze hazardous waste for further classification.

Additional Information

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.

Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%).

Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification.

All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.

All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button.

If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply.

Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form.

A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Date for Filing: Monday, April 6, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. PST
Application Screening: Week of April 6, 2026
Panel Interviews: Week of April 20, 2026

About the CountySan Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay.

With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.

The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.

We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.