Senior Hazardous Materials Inspector Fire Department

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The San José Fire Department's (SJFD) core mission is to serve the community by protecting life, property, and the environment through prevention and response. SJFD is a high-volume, high-performance, all-risk Fire Department that protects approximately 200 square miles , including residential, commercial, high-rise, wildland interface areas, and a number of high-hazard occupancies. For additional information visit sjfd.org.

For additional information visit .

Position Duties

The San José Fire Department is seeking candidates for one (1) Senior Hazardous Materials Inspector position within the Bureau of Fire Prevention. This is the supervisory level in a three-tier inspection series of the Fire Department's Hazardous Materials Program. Incumbents participate in and oversee the work of Hazardous Materials Inspectors involved in enforcing c ity ordinances and codes governing the Hazardous Materials Program. Individuals in this position receive administrative guidance from the Division Manager and perform challenging and complex plan reviews, inspections, and investigations . They are responsible for recommending changes based on new processes and procedures. This role differs from the next lower class of Hazardous Materials Inspector II, where incumbents carry out inspection work under the supervision of the Senior Hazardous Materials Inspector.

Duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in developing the Hazardous Materials Inspection program , goals , and bu d get .
  

• Assigns, supervises and coordinates the work of Hazardous Materials Inspectors.
  

• Provides technical guidance and training to Hazardous Materials Inspectors.
  

• Establishes procedures for reviewing and approving Hazardous Materials Management Plans for occupa ncies requiring Short - or Long-Form Management Plans.
  

• Assists in p erform ing complex hazardous material s system plan reviews and inspections in support of the Hazardous Materials Unit to meet plan check quality and timeline target expectations .
  

• Prepares required reports associated with reviewing progress , accomplishments of performance metrics, investigations , compliance orders, and other reports as required .
  

• Attends seminars, workshops , and other types of training to maintain current knowledge of information related to hazardous materials.
  

• Appears in court to provide testimony, as required .
  

• Liaison with other internal Development Services partners, outside regulatory agencies, and cities that have adopted the model ordinance.
  

For more information about BFP, please click here .

Salary range for this classification is $138,902.40-$169,325.52 paid annually.

This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment .

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Any combination of training and experience equivalent to successful completion of advanced undergraduate coursework in Chemistry, Biology, Geology, or other related science associated with studying hazardous materials, soil or groundwater contamination, or the environment .

Experience: four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in industrial or hazardous waste inspection or permit issuance, enforcement , and explanation of laws, ordinances, and codes related to physical testing, of which two (2) years must be at the level of a Hazardous Materials Inspector II equivalent level .

Certifications:

• Possession of a Valid Driver’s License is required .
  

• Possession of a Certifi ed Hazardous Materials Manag er Certification is preferred.
  

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of chemistry, biology, physics, industrial hygiene , or geology as applied to managing hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, and industrial wastes.
  

• Knowledge of quality assurance programs and procedures, sampling techniques, statistical analysis, laboratory equipment and its uses.
  

• Ability to supervise and direct the work of others.
  

• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  

• Knowledge of Federal, State , and local hazardous materials laws, rules, regulations , and ordinances for complex hazardous materials systems used for storage and use in multiple occupancy classifications .
  

• Knowledge of programs that deliver effective custome r service result ing in hazardous materials co mpliance from hazardous materials users.
  

An ideal candidate for a position should possess a combination of technical expertise , leadership skills, regulatory knowledge, and practical experience asso ciated with the California Fire Code and applicable standards . Strong communication skills are essential for the Hazardous Materials S enior Inspector , including the ability to clearly convey technical information to employees, management, regulatory agencies, and emergency responders. Proficiency in report writing and documentation ensures accurate preparation of safety protocols and compliance reports. Active listening and collaboration are crucial for understanding concerns and ensuring effective action, while conflict resolution and negotiation skills help maintain compliance and positive workplace relationships.

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job-specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered , or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.? Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical and/or writing exercise .

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Eduardo Gonzalez at Eduardo1.Gonzalez@sanjoseca.gov

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses. Please be advised that use of AI content in your responses may result in your removal from the hiring process.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 4/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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