HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROGRAM MANAGER

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

DEFINITION

Under general direction, the Hazardous Materials Program Manager is responsible for the overall direction, planning, and organization of the County's hazardous materials program. Perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position class that provides overall management and coordination of surface and hazardous materials policy development and issues. The incumbent has the responsibility of ensuring implementation of multiple complex mandates, policies, and regulations, characterized by highly difficult and sensitive public, environmental, and legislative issues. The Hazardous Materials Program Manager will have supervisory responsibility for positions assigned to program activities.

This position is distinguished from the Environmental Health Director in that the latter manages the entire division of environmental health.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Implement and manage the design, development, and evaluation of the hazardous materials program which include ordinances, policies, procedures, IT needs, staffing, education, priorities, and outreach;
• Provide day to day management of the County's Hazardous Materials activities;
• Provide direction and leadership 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;
• Oversee enforcement and compliance of County, State and Federal hazardous materials/integrated solid waste laws, regulations, ordinances, mandated standards, and codes;
• Establish quality control and quality accountability plans to analyze implementation of various program regulations on an ongoing basis;
• Conduct a variety of specialized, complex, and difficult comprehensive hazardous materials studies and program audits. Generate findings/recommendations for policy consideration and modification;
• Develop and implement a consistent and integrated strategy for hazardous material data collection, software reporting, and storage;
• Educate management of regulated facilities on the handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials;
• Coordinate, manage, and evaluate the work of professional and technical support staff;
• Oversee staff who conduct investigations, and resolves citizen complaints on unauthorized releases of hazardous materials/integrated solid waste;
• Interpret laws, regulations, and codes, and provides advice to government officials, citizen groups, business owners, and others;
• Coordinate assigned division activities with those of other divisions, departments, agencies, and organizations to ensure effective cooperation on all governmental levels;
• Serve and advise as division liaison to legislative bodies, governmental agencies, other departments, and community groups, and establish mechanisms for county-wide interdepartmental and interagency coordination;
• Make presentations to the Board of Supervisors, various advisory boards and commissions, and prospective funding agencies on such matters as program status and direction, program budget issues and project proposals;
• Participate in preparation of and administer the program budget and fee schedules;
• Responsible for the writing grant proposals for hazardous materials (projects) and oversee implementation of grants;
• Provide public outreach education, and technical assistance;
• May conduct complex field observations in conjunction with law enforcement and be called to the scene of hazardous material incidents or other emergency situations;
• May represent the Environmental Health Division in the absence of other Program Mangers such as Consumer Protection, Land Use, and Water Resources;
• May appear in court as an expert witness to provide testimony in cases of criminal complaints and civil suits.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Hazardous materials planning and policies;
• Federal, State, and local laws and regulations applicable to all aspects of hazardous materials/integrated solid waste management and environmental health impacts.

Working Knowledge of:

• The principles and practices of environmental health, hazardous materials, and education for a public agency;
• Policy formulation and legislative processes for County government and local hazardous material programs, functions, and services;
• Fiscal management and principles of budget preparation in a government agency;
• Public administration principles and practices, including strategic planning, goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation;
• Administrative principles and practices, including work organization and planning, employee supervision, performance evaluation and employee training and discipline;
• The principles of statistics as they relate to hazardous materials quality control and assurance;
• Basic organic and inorganic chemistry, with a strong emphasis on chemical characteristics, and hazardous materials and chemical effect on human health and the environment;
• Principles and techniques of problem solving and conflict resolution;
• Concepts, principles and procedures of hazardous materials and waste identification;
• General principles pertaining to hazardous materials response and hazardous materials worker safety;
• Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and control the work of a hazardous materials management function within a local government;
• Interpret Federal, State, and local laws and regulations relating to all aspects of hazardous materials and environmental health impacts
• Analyze and review new legislation under development and make recommendations on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency;
• Conduct hazardous materials studies and audit programs in order to evaluate program effectiveness and comply with state performance standards;
• Evaluate programs, policies, and practices;
• Define problems and recommend solutions;
• Conduct comprehensive research and analysis of hazardous materials issues and generate findings and recommendations for policy consideration;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of individuals and groups, including elected officials, community groups, consultants, County departments, and other government agencies;
• Conduct meetings and serve as the County representative and technical advisor on assigned projects;
• Speak clearly, concisely, and effectively at Public Hearings and before large groups;
• Assist in the design and implementation of computerized data management systems;
• Track, monitor, and advocate legislation;
• Prepare and present clear, concise oral and written reports;
• Evaluate, develop, and implement improvements for efficiency in the coordination of hazardous materials solutions;
• Understand the goals, concepts, and principles of a hazardous materials program.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of staff;
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment in solving policy, administrative, operational and personnel problems;
• Respond appropriately to workplace conflicts/complaints;
• Plan and maintain a balance between revenues received from fees and services provided.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge would be:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural, physical, or environmental science, planning, geology, or a closely related field.

AND

Four years of progressively responsible experience conducting investigations and inspections of hazardous materials/waste, or in the enforcement of Federal, State, and local government health/environmental regulations. A master's degree in natural, physical, or environmental sciences or related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of an International Code Council (ICC) "California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector" certification within one year of hire.

Successful completion of a California-approved Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Inspector training and a passing score of the APSA Inspector Exam within one year of hire.

Highly Desirable: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist issued by the California State Department of Health Services.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Benefit Status: 11
EEOC Job Category: 02
Occupational Grouping: 74
Workers' Comp Code: 0053