Careers

Description:

 As the Health & Environmental Investigator I, you will provide onsite technical assistance to small businesses, offering guidance on hazardous waste management and supporting practices to safer alternatives. The ideal candidate brings experience working with businesses or communities to promote behavior change, along with a strong understanding of hazardous materials and waste management. You will assess common hazardous waste challenges, research solutions, and identify safer alternatives using trusted resources—all while applying best management practices that advance equity. This role is the entry point in a three-level career progression, offering a clear pathway from Health & Environmental Investigator I to III. You will be part of a 12-member team while also working independently in the field, engaging directly with businesses and community members. This role blends office and field work, giving you the opportunity to meet diverse businesses, learn about a wide range of industries, and guide them toward safer alternatives that protect health and the environment. You will also support communities and businesses most vulnerable to hazardous materials exposure by helping them adopt safer practices that reduce risk and promote long-term well-being.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• Conduct onsite reviews of hazardous material and hazardous waste (HM/HW) management practices. Review hazardous material and hazardous waste (HM/HW) management at the customer’s site.  
• Identify common HM/HW issues, research solutions, and recommend safer alternatives using trusted resources.
• Provide technical assistance, offer financial incentives that support behavior change, and coordinate hazardous waste collection services. 
• Participate in community events, workshops, presentations, to educate and promote hazardous waste best management practices and services.
• Document site visit observations, recommendations, customer actions, and resulting health and environmental benefits. 
• Collaborate with businesses, trade associations, agencies, and the public to develop best management practices, and identify cost-effective pollution prevention options. 

Skills/Eligibility:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, natural, physical, or environmental sciences, engineering, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and professional experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical or scientific information to non-technical audiences, both in writing and through presentations to groups or community stakeholders.
• Experience using community-based education and outreach strategies, including engaging diverse audiences and translating complex topics into accessible information.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships, demonstrate patience, flexibility, cultural awareness, and professionalism in diverse work and community settings.
• Proficiency with common information technologies and computer applications, including the ability to quickly learn and effectively use new software and digital tools. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience building partnerships with people of color, people with low incomes, immigrants, refugees, and communities that use limited English.

COMPETENCIES YOU BRING:

• Customer Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. 

• Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. 
• Manages Ambiguity: Operating effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.