Hazardous Materials Technician

Position Description

A Hazardous Materials Technician (HazMat Tech) is a certified professional trained to perform technician-level duties in alignment with national standards and the regulations of the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. This role involves handling, identifying, managing, and coordinating the disposal of hazardous materials and explosives to ensure compliance with safety protocols and minimize environmental impact. HazMat Techs also respond to hazardous material spills or emergencies, working to mitigate risks to public health, safety, and the environment. The distinction between a HazMat Tech III, IV, and V, is the degree of independence, the complexity of job assignments, and experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Emergency Response:
• Respond to various emergency calls including structural and environmental fires, traffic collisions, transportation emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and medical assistance within the level of training and certification for force protection only.
• Connects, extends, and operates hose lines and related appliances for firefighting operations, including firefighting and hazardous materials foam and other extinguishing agent applications.
• Performs ventilation or entry operations, with the use of hand or power tools; raises, lowers, and climbs ladders to access buildings, structures, or containers and vessels; makes forcible entry into and enters burning structures or other hazardous environments.
• Provides medical aid to injured persons within the scope of practice that is allowed by local Emergency Medical Services or departmental authority, operates any related emergency medical equipment that may be provided and is allowed within approved scope of practice.
• Inspection and Awareness:
• Ensure all emergency preparedness and response efforts align with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code guidelines, focusing on the protection of building occupants and safe egress during hazardous and special events.
• Develop and implement pre-incident plans and response strategies for handling hazardous materials emergencies, ensuring safety protocols and regulatory compliance are maintained.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Perform administrative functions in accordance with policies and procedures, including completing, reviewing, and maintaining records and reports; and developing summary data reports, as required.
• Ensures quality, accuracy, and timely completion of assigned tasks including program management in accordance with HCFMO policies and procedures.
• Training and Development:
• Attends and/or instructs training courses involving firefighting, medical aid, rescue, hazardous materials, equipment operation and maintenance; participates in drills and exercises; studies local conditions and factors affecting emergency response operations or emergency hazard mitigation; has a working knowledge of departmental policies, safety procedures, inspection regulations, and prevention rules; maintains physical fitness and fit for work health.
• Participate in training programs to enhance skills and maintain and/or pursue certifications in specific areas, such as project management, quality assurance, or technical specialties.
  
  
  

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform as a member of an Incident Management Team during emergency or disaster situations.
• Maintain situational awareness of all HCFMO activities.
• Serve on committees, boards, or other teams as assigned by the Fire Marshal or designee.
• Perform assigned tasks safely, and report initial accidents, injuries, or health exposures in accordance with accepted safety practices and HCFMO policy.
• The duties listed above are not meant to limit the assignment of work, nor should they be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally performed or list all duties that may be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
  
  
  

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Experience and Experience:

Possess any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

• Hazmat Technician III:
• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution and
• Be eligible to be certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Firefighter and Hazardous Materials "HazMat" Technician.
  
  
  

OR

• Hazmat Technician IV:
• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution and
• Five (5) Years of relevant experience and be eligible to be certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Firefighter and Hazardous Materials "HazMat" Technician.
  
  
  

OR

• Hazmat Technician V:
• High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution and
• Eight (8) Years of relevant experience and be eligible to be certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Firefighter and Hazardous Materials "HazMat" Technician.
  
  
  

TCOLE Required Positions:

• At the time of appointment, be eligible to be commissioned by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) as a Peace Officer.
• Pass a TCOLE and general criminal background check to include L2, L3.
• Pass a TCOLE-certified weapons qualification.
  
  
  

Notice: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
• Open arrest for any criminal offense. (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction.
  
  
  

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• TCFP Structural Firefighter.
• TCFP Hazardous Materials Technician Certification.
• TCFP Instructor 1 Certification (within 6 months).
• Texas Driver's License Class B Exempt (within 6 months).
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time | 40 Hours per Week
• Monday - Friday | 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
• Subject to Early Mornings, Evenings, Weekends & Holidays as Needed.
  
  
  

Salary:

• Hazardous Materials Technician III, IV, V
• Depending on Experience, Certifications, and Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods
  
  
  

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.