Hazardous Materials Responder Part-Time - Public Safety Specialist I

The Hazardous Materials Responder will respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purposes of mitigating the hazard/threat. Hazardous Materials Responders are expected to use specialized chemical protective clothing, detection/identification instrumentation, and control equipment. This position is also responsible to staff apparatus for planned events as needed.

* Attend Hazardous Material Response Team training or other training as required to maintain skills at the hazardous materials technician level as required by OSHA 1910.120 and the Montgomery County Special Operations Policy Manual (minimum of 30 hours per year).
* Respond to emergency hazardous material spills, releases or potential spills or to unknown substances that could be a hazardous material.
* Possesses knowledge and skills to use printed, technical or computer database reference sources in the performance of a hazard and risk assessment.
* Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and perform tasks related to hazardous materials response in self-contained breathing apparatus or air purified respirators.
* Ability to select and wear appropriate protective clothing and operate in chemical protective clothing.
* Ability to appropriately select and operate monitoring, detection, and identification equipment.
* Ability to implement leak or spill containment and control measures to favorably change the outcome of the incident.
* Adheres to safety guidelines and follow standard operating guidelines.
* Attend ongoing training in order to analyze a hazardous material incident to determine the magnitude of the problem and/or to plan a response within the capabilities of available personnel and personal protective equipment.
* Display professionalism while operating with or representing the Hazardous Materials Response Team.
* Performs all other duties as assigned with the scope and range of job responsibilities.

Education and Credentials
* High school Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
* Bachelor's degree in chemistry, Fire Science, or the environmental field is preferred, but not required.
* Trained and certified as a ProBoard Hazardous Materials Technician based on OSHA 1910.120.
* Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED or higher.
* NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, 800.

Experience and Skills
* Experience in firefighting or other emergency services is preferred.
* Knowledge of Montgomery County geography.
* Strong time management skills.
* Ability to work as part of a team.
* Ability to work in stressful situations following strict safety and response procedures and guidelines.
* Ability to react to changing situations for the safety of himself/herself, other responders, and the general public.
* Ability to follow protocol and standard operating guidelines as defined in the Montgomery County Special Operations Policy Manual.
* Ability to establish priorities and remain focused on daily operations.
* Ability to use common sense understanding to carry out written or verbal instructions.
* Ability to carry tasks to completion.
* Strong professional ethics.
* Valid driver's license.
* Must live within a reasonable commuting distance to Montgomery County.

* While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, drive an emergency vehicle, wear Personal Protective Equipment (including respiratory protection), and participate in physically strenuous activities.
* Physical activities may include: reaching or working with arms above shoulders; bending, twisting or rotating at the waist; kneeling, crouching or squatting; climbing stairs; climbing ladders; pushing, lifting, or carrying objects 50 pounds or heavier; and work in a noisy environment; and work in adverse weather conditions.
* The employee must successfully pass a medical evaluation as outlined in the Montgomery County Special Operations Policy Manual.
* 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 function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.