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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hazard Technician

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

Environmental ServicesSafety & ComplianceEmergency ResponseSkilled Trades

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a diligent and highly-trained Hazard Technician to join our environmental and safety team. In this critical role, you will be on the front lines of identifying, handling, and neutralizing hazardous materials to ensure the safety of our personnel, the community, and the environment. You are the expert responsible for emergency response, site remediation, and routine hazardous waste management. This position requires a strong commitment to safety protocols, meticulous attention to detail, and the physical ability to work in challenging conditions while wearing specialized personal protective equipment (PPE). If you are passionate about environmental protection and creating a safer world, this is a rewarding opportunity to apply your specialized skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Environmental Field Technician
  • General Laborer (Construction or Industrial)
  • Military (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear - CBRN Specialist)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Hazard Technician / HazMat Team Leader
  • Site Supervisor / Project Manager
  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Industrial Hygienist
  • Emergency Management Planner
  • Compliance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform identification, containment, and decontamination of hazardous materials in various environments, including industrial sites, laboratories, and emergency spill locations.
  • Execute hazardous waste management activities, including characterization, segregation, packaging, labeling, and preparing materials for transportation and disposal in accordance with all regulations.
  • Operate, calibrate, and maintain a wide range of monitoring equipment, such as photoionization detectors (PIDs), multi-gas meters, and radiation survey instruments.
  • Safely handle and manage various hazardous and non-hazardous materials, including corrosives, flammables, toxics, and reactive chemicals.
  • Don, doff, and maintain various levels of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including Level A, B, and C suits, and operate proficiently while wearing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and air-purifying respirators.
  • Conduct emergency response activities for chemical, biological, or radiological spills, leaks, and releases, implementing incident command principles to mitigate hazards.
  • Perform decontamination of personnel, equipment, and facilities affected by hazardous substances to prevent cross-contamination and ensure safety.
  • Develop and implement site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs) and ensure all on-site activities strictly adhere to established safety procedures.
  • Operate heavy equipment such as forklifts, skid steers, and vacuum trucks for material handling and site remediation tasks.
  • Perform confined space entries for assessment, cleaning, and remediation projects, acting as an entrant, attendant, or rescue team member.
  • Collect environmental samples (soil, water, air) for laboratory analysis to characterize contamination and verify cleanup effectiveness.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate, detailed documentation, including daily work logs, chain-of-custody forms, waste manifests, and incident reports.
  • Ensure all activities are compliant with federal, state, and local regulations, including those from OSHA, EPA, DOT, and RCRA.
  • Participate in and lead daily safety meetings (tailgate talks) to review project hazards, control measures, and emergency procedures.
  • Respond to on-call emergency situations, which may require work during nights, weekends, and holidays with little to no notice.
  • Inspect and maintain emergency response equipment, vehicles, and supplies to ensure a constant state of readiness.
  • Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to junior technicians and other site personnel regarding hazardous material protocols.
  • Perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting and carrying heavy objects (up to 50 lbs), standing for long periods, and working in extreme weather conditions.
  • Assist in the scope, planning, and execution of industrial cleaning projects, such as tank cleaning, pit pump-outs, and facility decommissioning.
  • Interface professionally with clients, regulatory agents, and subcontractors to communicate project status and ensure compliance with all requirements.

Secondary Functions

  • Complete and maintain accurate project documentation, including daily logs, manifests, and incident reports.
  • Provide input for the development and improvement of site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
  • Interface effectively with clients, regulators, and site personnel to ensure project objectives are met safely and efficiently.
  • Participate in daily safety briefings (tailgate meetings) and contribute to a proactive safety culture.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • 40-Hour HAZWOPER Certification: Current certification is mandatory for handling hazardous waste operations and emergency response.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of OSHA, EPA, RCRA, and DOT regulations concerning hazardous materials and waste.
  • PPE & SCBA Proficiency: Expertise in the selection, use, and maintenance of all levels of Personal Protective Equipment, especially Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.
  • Decontamination Procedures: Skilled in establishing and operating decontamination lines for personnel and equipment.
  • Equipment Operation: Ability to operate monitoring instruments (gas meters, PIDs), sampling tools, and heavy equipment (forklifts, excavators).
  • Confined Space Entry: Certified and experienced in confined space entry procedures and associated safety protocols.
  • Chemical Handling: Knowledge of chemical properties, compatibility, and safe handling procedures.
  • Emergency Response: Training and experience in Incident Command System (ICS) and spill response tactics.
  • Waste Manifesting: Proficiency in completing Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests and other shipping documents.
  • First Aid/CPR Certification: Basic medical response training is highly desirable.

Soft Skills

  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous in following procedures and completing documentation to prevent safety incidents and ensure compliance.
  • Problem-Solving: Ability to think critically and act decisively under pressure, especially during emergency situations.
  • Communication: Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills for interacting with team members, clients, and regulators.
  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively within a team to accomplish tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Physical Stamina: Excellent physical condition to perform strenuous work in challenging environments while wearing restrictive PPE.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to respond to changing work scopes, schedules, and emergency call-outs.
  • Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, punctual, and committed to completing the job to the highest safety and quality standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Chemistry
  • Emergency Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-3+ years of direct experience in hazardous waste management, environmental field services, or emergency response.

Preferred:

  • Verifiable experience working on Superfund, RCRA, or industrial decommissioning sites.
  • Experience as a member of a facility's emergency response team or a fire department HazMat team.
  • A valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a hazardous materials endorsement is a significant plus.
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