Hazardous Materials Specialist I/II

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY

Berkeley, California is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.

As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.

The City of Berkeley is currently accepting applications for Hazardous Materials Specialist I or Hazardous Materials Specialist II in the Planning and Development Department's Toxics Management Division (TMD). TMD serves as a California-Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) and is responsible for implementing, inspecting, and enforcing hazardous materials and environmental regulations on behalf of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), and the State Fire Marshal within the City of Berkeley. In addition to CUPA program implementation, TMD also leads stormwater pollution prevention programs and responds to environmental complaints to help protect public health and the environment.

See the full job specifications:
Hazardous Materials Specialist I:
Hazardous Materials Specialist II:

A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities is:
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in biology, physical or environmental science, environmental health, industrial hygiene, or a closely related field and experience as specified below.

• Hazardous Materials Specialist I

• Experience: Some experience in hazardous materials management, environmental health inspections, industrial hygiene practices, or a similar hazardous materials program.

• Substitution: In lieu of the education requirement, candidates must have registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
• Hazardous Materials Specialist II
• Experience: Two (2) years of experience in hazardous materials management, environmental health inspections, industrial hygiene practices, or a similar hazardous materials program.
• Substitutions:
  • In lieu of the education requirement, candidates must have registration as an Environmental Health Specialist.
  • Possession of a Master's degree in a qualifying field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Certification Requirement: Must obtain and maintain International Code Council (ICC) certification as a California Underground Storage Tank (UST) Inspector

Other requirements: Incumbents in both positions must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet the program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, maintenance of a valid California driver's license and satisfactory driving record is required.

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Pacific on December 15, 2025 and must include a completed application and responses to supplemental questions. Please note that resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.

Applications are available in alternative formats (audio-format, braille, large print, electronic text, etc.) upon request to Please allow 10 days for production of the material in an alternative format.

The exam process will include:

• Application review for minimum qualifications (qualifying experience will be calculated based on the application filing period close date)
• Review of Supplemental Questions
• Training & Experience Review

Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.

Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to at the time of application.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER

The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.