Hazardous Waste Inspector I (Finance)

The County of Riverside seeks candidates to fill positions throughout Riverside County. A list of eligible candidates will be established to fill current and future vacancies.

The Riverside County Department of Waste Resources seeks a Hazardous Waste Inspector I to support multiple locations including Beaumont (Lamb Canyon), Moreno Valley (Badlands) or Corona (El Sobrante).

The selected candidate will be responsible for performing load check inspections on waste loads at landfills and solid waste transfer stations, including those generated from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Additional duties include transporting hazardous waste and completing the necessary shipping documentation, categorizing and packaging hazardous materials, and educating the public on proper hazardous waste disposal options and acceptance policies. The incumbent will also initiate hazardous waste incident notifications as needed, based on the present hazards, waste types, quantities, conditions, and instability. Also, will maintain and perform minor repairs on safety and emergency equipment, along with other duties as required.

Schedule: 4/10, from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including Saturdays (subject to change based on department needs). The incumbent will receive differential pay for Saturday shifts. This position offers a dynamic work schedule with the added benefit of additional compensation for weekend hours.

Competitive candidates will possess:

• Six months of experience working in a solid waste and/or hazardous waste environment performing visual, verbal and/or physical screening, diversion of waste types and prevention of hazardous waste disposal.
• Experience working at an Antifreeze, Battery, Oil and Paint (ABOP) facility.
• Some knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing hazardous waste.
• Experience working with household hazardous waste.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook email.
• Ability to read and write inspection reports and incident reports.

The Hazardous Waste Inspector I is the entry level classification in the Hazardous Waste Inspector series and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager level position. Incumbents receive formal on-the job training in the techniques and procedures essential to conducting waste load inspections, investigations in the enforcement of hazardous and prohibited waste regulations and in solving environmental problems related to hazardous waste. Incumbents may be promoted to the Hazardous Waste Inspector II level after acquiring the required education and experience and a satisfactory work performance evaluation.

Meet the Team!

The Department of Waste Resources serves the County's solid waste disposal needs by providing for efficient and effective landfilling of County non-hazardous waste, protecting the environment, and promoting recycling in order to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. LOAD CHECKING:
• Provide flyers to the public about hazardous waste and other unacceptable materials; inform the public about proper disposal and recycling methods during waste load inspections.

• Make determination on acceptability of materials with consultation of a lead supervisor and direct the public to the appropriate disposal facility.

• Maintain records and prepare reports by completing appropriate forms and/or inputting data into database.

• Maintain and perform minor repairs to safety and emergency equipment.

• Conduct inspections on waste loads from all types of waste generators (residential, commercial, and industrial) to ensure that hazardous waste and prohibited materials are not inadvertently landfilled.

• Contact Senior or Supervising Hazardous Waste Inspector in the event large quantities of hazardous waste or unknown material are suspected.

• Inspect waste disposal receipts for proper disposal charges and waste types, enforcing current waste fee schedule.

• Draft reports and documents for legal action for the District Attorney's Office relative to illegal disposal of hazardous waste.

• Perform hazardous materials categorization evaluations on household, commercial, and industrial waste in the field.

• Collect samples and specimens for laboratory analysis.

• Package hazardous materials for transportation and complete uniform hazardous manifest bills of lading; transport hazardous materials on highways and county roads between landfills and central accumulation locations.

• Operate trucks and light construction equipment.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM: • Provide direct contractor oversight at Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection events and/or permanent facilities.

• Inspect each participant's waste load for acceptability at events and facilities, maintain records of waste disposals, and reject loads when necessary; document all rejected loads and those suspect loads which are accepted; maintain a participant log of incoming vehicles.

• Conduct weekly written safety and above ground storage tank inspections, documenting any deficiencies and taking corrective action when required.

• Conduct weekly facility inspections and safety supply inventories to ensure compliance with hazardous waste control and worker safety laws.

• Restock safety supplies and public education materials at facilities.

• Provide both verbal and published public education information to participants who are using events and facilities.

• Categorize and/or package household hazardous waste products.

• Consolidate (bulks) automotive waste oil, antifreeze and latex paint at facilities and package other wastes.

• Properly manage and document illegally dumped HHW.

• Maintain "First Responder" readiness for emergency response coordination.

• Maintain and perform minor repairs to safety and emergency equipment.

• Notify Program Administrator or Program Coordinator during periods of contractor's performance failures, emergencies or other unusual circumstances.

• Obtain and collect evidence of illegal hazardous waste disposal activities.

• Conduct or participate in weekly safety meetings.

• Operate trucks and light construction equipment. OPTION I
Experience: Six months in a position that included physically screening and inspecting waste loads, diversion of waste types and prevention of hazardous waste disposal with the County of Riverside.

OPTION II
Experience: Six months of professional or technical experience in hazardous waste management, environmental health, environmental engineering, or a closely related field to the assignment. (Possession of a bachelor's degree in environmental health, hazardous waste management, chemistry toxicology, water quality, occupational health, or a closely related field to the assignment may be substituted for the required experience.)

License: Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license is required at the time of hire, as the selected candidate will be driving to different work sites. The Hazardous Waste Inspector must obtain a valid California Class B commercial driver's license with a Hazmat endorsement within six months of employment.

This position has been designated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) as safety-sensitive, applicants are required to complete a DOT mandated alcohol and drug-screening. (A positive test or refusal to test during the past two years will disqualify an applicant from consideration for County employment). Reference checks from former DOT regulated employers are also required.

Employees in safety-sensitive positions are subject to DOT alcohol/drug testing in the following situations: random, reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, and post-accident.

For detailed requirements, visit DOT Requirements .

Upon hire or transfer to this class, successful completion of the required training courses and certifications as outlined by the Department, such as the 40-hour Health and Safety Training for the Hazardous Waste Worker, shall be completed.

Due to the nature of the hazardous materials emergency response, the employee is expected to work flexible work schedules including weekends.

ALL OPTIONS

Physical Requirements: Independent body mobility to stand, move 55-gallon drums of materials with drum dolly: climb through refuse piles, walk on uneven ground or wet surfaces; upper body strength to reach and move items from high shelves; ability to read standard text, labels, color change indication test papers, monitoring equipment display screens and computer screens; strength to lift and carry tools or personal protection and test equipment up to 25 lbs. in weight; have the physical capability to wear personal protective equipment including Level B, C and D suits with air purifying cartridge respirators and supplied air; ability to lift materials weighing up to 70 lbs.

Environmental Requirements: The incumbent will be required to work in all types of field environments, be exposed to inclement weather conditions; work with hazardous materials/ wastes including dust, odors and fumes from disposal operations and chemically contaminated sites; ability to tolerate very hot and cold temperatures; walk or stand for extended periods of time; walk over refuse and rough terrain; bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time; view and inspect hospital waste loads containing infectious human material.

Knowledge of: The principles of hazardous materials management; state and federal laws and regulations governing hazardous waste and materials management; methods and procedures used in inspecting and correcting unhealthful and hazardous conditions; sampling techniques and related apparatus used to monitor and/or collect samples of substances for analyses; basic understanding of chemistry as it relates to compatibility; basic understanding of toxicology as it relates to human and environmental exposures; principles of personal safety and protection; department database programs; computer based presentation software.

Ability to: Perform hazardous waste inspection techniques; conduct inspections, investigation and enforcement principles and procedures; ability to maintain compliance without creating unnecessary conflict; establish and maintain effective working relationship with the public, various governmental agencies and other staff members; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; plan, organize and conduct research, and prepare clear and concise reports; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; use personal computer and software programs. This recruitment is open to all applicants.

If you have any questions regarding this posting, please contact Silvia Trammell at strammell@ rivco.org .