HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPECIALIST I

Position/Program Information

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We accept applications from everyone

EXAM NUMBER

34400L

FILING PERIOD

We will be accepting online applications from Monday, June 16, 2025, 8:00 a.m., (PT) until Friday, June 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Friday, June 20, 2025, to be accepted.

DEFINITION :
Performs inspections and investigations under the auspices of the Fire Department's Unified Program Agency at locations that generate or handle hazardous materials/waste, and functions as local health officer under authority of the County Code.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS :
Positions allocable to this entry level classification report to a Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist I. They receive on-the-job training and, under close supervision, independently perform inspections and investigations using established procedures and methodologies for the enforcement of hazardous waste/materials codes. These positions receive training in enforcing federal, State and local codes and in such areas as bioterrorism, handling of chemical and radiation emergencies, and appropriate and effective interface with a variety of other agencies on emergency events.
Incumbents may be required to bend, stoop, climb and lift moderate weights while performing inspections, investigations, site reviews and associated tasks; don personal protective gear required for response to hazardous materials spills, biological materials, or other threats; perform all such tasks under a wide range of temperature conditions and have the ability to pass a respiratory protection program examination.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs inspections of facilities that generate hazardous waste or handle hazardous materials to determine the nature of the facility operation, potential hazards, types of chemicals used, handling, storage and disposal methods and compliance with applicable codes.
• Investigates complaints related to hazardous materials waste; identifies the source and quantity of hazardous materials/waste, and responsible parties.
• Collects field samples, evaluates data from instrument readings, conducts technical field tests, and performs various standardized environmental and occupational tests.
• Responds to emergency incidents or disasters involving the spill or release of hazardous materials/waste or threats to public health and the environment.
• Prepares reports, memos, notices of violation, enforcement orders, briefings and evidence such as photographs and statements regarding findings from inspections and investigations.
• Receives training in the use of emergency protective gear and learns to calibrate, operate and maintain instruments; participates in classroom and field training in the conduct of inspections, emergency response procedures, bioterrorism and chemical emergency responses; and familiarization with interagency protocols.
• Analyzes industrial manufacturing processes to identify materials used, waste streams, their characteristics and volume.
• Enforces the proper handing, storage and disposal of hazardous materials/waste.
• Coordinates and participates with law enforcement, fire, health and other governmental agencies in joint inspections, investigations, and clean-up activities.
• Makes referrals and works closely with various prosecutorial agencies to adjudicate cases.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY :
Option 1: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited* institution in a physical or biological science and two (2) years of experience in identifying, evaluating, and controlling chemical and physical hazards.
Option 2: A Master's degree from an accredited* institution in industrial hygiene, chemistry, toxicology, geology, environmental health, public health, chemical engineering, or industrial engineering and one (1) year of experience in hazardous waste control.

Option 3: Two (2) years of experience at the level of California Registered Environmental Health Specialist.
LICENSE REQUIRED :
A valid California Class C Driver License** is required to perform job-related essential functions.

WITHHOLD INFORMATION : Applicants with an out-of-state driver Class C or higher driver’s license may compete in the examination process, however, the names of such candidates will be withheld from the eligible list until a California Class C or higher driver’s license is acquired.

OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE :
Out-of-class experience will not be accepted for this recruitment.
PHYSICAL CLASS :
III - Moderate: Includes standing or walking most of the time, with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching; includes working on irregular surfaces, occasionally lifting objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION :
*In order to receive credit for your education such as degrees or certifications, include a legible copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within your application. If you are unable to attach the required document to your application, please email a copy to Jose Cortez via Jose.Cortez@fire.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days from the end of the filing period. The document should show the date the degree/certification was conferred and be in English; if it is in a foreign language, it must be translated and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf and https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205105_PPG_123_ACE_Resource_Guide.pdf

We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

Note: Official Transcript is defined as a transcript that bears the institution seal and states "official and/or copy" issued by the school's registrar Office. A printout of the transcript from the school's website is NOT considered official and therefore, will not be accepted and will result in your application being incomplete and rejected.

**Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain and present a copy of their driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

Applicants from out of state/jurisdiction will be required to provide their driving record from their own states/jurisdiction.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE :
Acceptance of your application depends on whether you clearly show that you meet the Requirements. Fill out the online application completely and correctly in order to receive full credit for any related education, training, and job experience. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, and description of work performed. All information supplied is subject to verification.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT :
This examination will consist of TWO (2) parts, weighted 100%:

Part I: A multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s) assessing:

• Professional Potential
• Achievement
• Working Relationships
• Analyzing Information
• Learning Quickly
• Generating New Ideas
• Using Time Efficiently
• Working to High Quality Standards
• Adapting to Change
• Coping with Uncertainty
• Willingness to Learn
• Responsibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Verbal Ability

Part II: A multiple-choice assessment assessing:

• Chemistry
• Personal/Public Safety and Security
• Law and Government

THE MULTIPLE CHOICE AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENT(S) ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19 .

CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO ACHIEVE A COMBINED SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON PARTS I AND II OF THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS :
If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

TEST PREPARATION :
We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

•Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/ . The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
•Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests ."
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION :
Applications will be processed as they are received. The names of candidates receiving a passing score on the examination will be added to the eligible list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of promulgation.
VETERAN'S CREDIT :
If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for veteran's credit, which is an additional 10% of the total points added to a passing score. We will need a copy of your DD214 to review, so please include that with your application or email it to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov .

VACANCY INFORMATION : The list of successful candidates created from this examination will be used to fill Hazardous Material Specialist I vacancies within the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, as they occur.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AND OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Any shift - Appointees must be willing to work any shift, including evening, nights, weekends, and holidays.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION :
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates. You can also track the status of your application using the website http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , and signing into your profile.

Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of worked performed.
We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.

NOTE: We must receive your application and required documents, by 5:00 pm, PT, on the last day of filing. Please check your application to ensure that the required documents are uploaded by logging on to the County of Los Angeles Department of Human Resources website and reviewing your submitted application. If you are unable to attach required documents, you may email them to Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov at the time of filing or within fifteen (15) calendar days of submitting your online application. Failure to provide the required documentation will result in application rejection. Please include your Name, the Exam Number (34400L), and the Exam Title ( Hazardous Material Specialist I ) on your documents.

APPLICATIONS MAY BE REJECTED AT ANY STAGE OF THE SELECTION PROCESS.

PLEASE REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY PRIOR TO CLICKING THE "SUBMIT" BUTTON.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER :
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES :
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Refer to their website for updated information at https://lacountylibrary.org/library-locator .

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD :
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record and is subject to disqualification from this examination.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI) :
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department is committed to promoting Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst various groups of people. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

TESTING ACCOMODATION :
If you need an accommodation to take an assessment, let us know by contacting the ADA/Testing Coordinator at Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov . The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond to your request and keep you moving through the process.

Department Contact Name: Fire Examination Section
Department Contact Phone: (213) 466-5500
Department Contact Email: Fire-Examination@fire.lacounty.gov
Anal yst Contact Emai l: Jose.cortez@fire.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

For detailed information, please click here

Closing Date/Time: 6/20/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• Los Angeles County

• (800) 970-5478

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