Hazardous Materials Technician (Senior EH&S Technician)

• 

Job Description

Purpose of the Position/Job Summary

Understands and supports the EH&S mission and vision. Contributes to a successful team oriented work environment ensuring interdependence and cooperation; constructive and positive communications; and mutual support. Promotes and exemplifies campus, divisional, and departmental high standards for excellent client service, effective use of resources, workplace safety, professional development, personal accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Hazardous Waste Management Program goals for this position are to operate and maintain hazardous waste management services on behalf of the campus.

Under supervision, works independently to provide hazardous waste management to the UC Berkeley campus and affiliated field stations, and emergency response service for the Hazardous Materials Facility (HMF).

Key Responsibilities
Hazardous Waste Management, Main Campus:
-Hazardous Waste collection

• Coordinate the collection and transportation of hazardous waste generated by the main campus, from accumulation site to Hazardous Materials Facility (HMF).
• Following established technical and safety guidelines, collect wastes from individual laboratories; ensure accuracy and quality assurance; proper packaging, marking and chemical compatibility; complete associated paperwork and data entry for record keeping; manage required supplies and equipment.
• Interface with lab contacts, resolve discrepancies and provide limited on the spot client training or guidance as needed. Report complex issues to supervisor.
• Transport of packaged materials to the campus HMF, which includes the loading and unloading of materials.

Routine Waste Processing:

• Following established technical guidelines, process hazardous waste from campus laboratories and facilities; verify contents, sort, weigh, label and store according to chemical compatibility and hazard class; package and prepare hazardous waste for shipping according to Department of Transportation requirements (may include preparing Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests).
• Coordinate transportation and disposal of hazardous waste to permitted Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF).
• Support responses to any spills incidental to waste collection processes.
• Support waste minimization efforts.
• Must maintain a commercial driver's license for hazardous waste transportation.

Emergency Response

• Provide direct emergency response services within the HMF, responding to campus hazardous material releases, or as a technical resource for other emergency response activities. Must be accessible via telephone or pager, and readily available to respond on-scene to any HMF emergency during business hours.
• To serve as a designated responder, incumbent must meet specific requirements of the Emergency Response Program including occupational physical qualifications. Medical baseline is required.
• At the request of campus management (EH&S Director, VC BAS, UCPD Chief, or designated alternate), must be available in a campus disaster or campus hazardous material release/threatened release, to serve in the appropriate emergency response role based upon expertise and, where applicable, designated departmental role.

Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to:

• Perform routine maintenance activities at the material/waste processing facility. Maintain facilities and equipment in safe operating condition.
• Perform other duties, similar to above listed duties, when requested.

Back-up for Radioactive Waste Technicians:

• Perform back-up duties for the Radioactive and Medical Waste Technicians, which involves collection, processing, and shipment of low-level radioactive waste and medical wastes.

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with hazardous waste management requirements, including federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to proper handling, packaging, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste (see "Governing Laws, Regulations, Policies and Procedures" below).
• Knowledge of equipment, technologies, and systems utilized in hazardous waste management
• Basic knowledge of standard office software (email, data entry).
• Ability to move items weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Valid CA Drivers License with hazardous materials endorsement with in 3 months.

Governing Laws, Regulations, Policies and Procedures:

Incumbent's responsibilities are guided by federal, state and local laws and regulations, which include (but are not limited to): Hazardous Waste Management Act and Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act. Specific requirements for UC Berkeley are outlined in UC Berkeley's hazardous waste management policies and procedures, as approved by Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Education and Training

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of experience in an environmental health and safety program, or two years of college including appropriate science courses and one year of experience in an environmental health and safety program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.