Hazardous Materials Attendant

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of high school and one year of service maintenance experience such as; laborer, equipment operator, solid waste attendant, or equivalent; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

Must satisfactorily complete a course in hazardous waste identification and transportation within the first 6 months of employment.

Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical (hazmat) examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is responsible manual work in the collection, inspection and disposal of hazardous waste at the County's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center.

An employee assigned to this classification ensures that household hazardous waste entering the collection center and items left at the Rural Collection Centers are acceptable, sorted properly, and prepared for proper disposal.
Work is performed under the supervision of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.

Greets and assists customers (home owners and local businesses) delivering hazardous materials at the collection center.
Inspects, loads, and sorts items or materials according to type, size, condition, color, marking, or other characteristics.

Inspects and monitors household hazardous waste collection (waste oil, oil filters, paint, auto/marine/dry cell batteries, fluorescent tubes, etc). Ensures that hazardous waste is acceptable for storage and disposal.

Sort household hazardous waste and bulking paint, solvents, oils and fuels, and other materials into 55 gallon drums and tanks.

Assists other staff in conducting necessary analysis on unknown chemicals.

Assists in the preparation of daily reports for activity at the collection center.

Compiles monthly tracking of waste and shipments.

Assists with response to hazardous materials spills and incidences within the county.

Uses personal protective equipment (PPE), as necessary.

Maintains office cleanliness and ensures collection area is clear of all debris and spillage.

Opens and closes collection center following routine security procedures.
Operates fork lift, drum dolly, truck/trailer combination and hand equipment in the preparation and transport of hazardous materials from Rural Collection Centers and mobile collection events to the Environmental Park.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to convey rules regarding use of the facility to the general public.

Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow workers.

Ability to follow household hazardous waste safety/emergency procedures.

Ability to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators.

Ability to deal with the general public with tact and patience.

Ability to effectively express ideas, both in written and verbal communications.

Ability to follow written and oral instructions and safety guidelines.

Ability to use computer to input and track data and prepare reports.

Ability to operate a fork lift, drum dolly, truck/trailer combination and hand equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb stairs or balance.

The employee is regularly required to lift and/or move  in excess of 100  pounds in the preparation of hazardous waste for disposal by use 55 gallon drums. Occasionally required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in dealing with hazardous waste. Specific visual abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts, and is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally works in precarious places, and is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$36,400.00 Annually