HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONDER

Code: 07952 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction of a Hazardous Materials Technician 2 or supervisor in a Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Program, responds to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials requiring the use of chemical protective equipment Level D through A for the purpose of protecting public health, safety, welfare, and the environment; contains releases from safe distances to keep the release from spreading and to prevent exposure; is responsible for the issuance of complete and comprehensive incident reports; does related work as required.

Examples of work

As a member of a team, responds to hazardous materials emergencies on a 24 hour, 7-day a week basis. Implements emergency response plans and procedures for incidents requiring the use of chemical protective equipment Level D through A. Performs those emergency measures taken to contain hazardous materials and prevent damage to public health, safety, welfare, and the environment resulting from releases or potential releases of hazardous substances and materials. Identifies, classifies, and verifies known and unknown hazardous materials using field monitoring equipment and instruments consistent with the level of certification and training. Contains hazardous material releases by plugging, patching, or other measures to stop the release of hazardous material(s) substances into the environment consistent with the level of certification and training. Operates basic monitoring equipment such as colormetric tube detectors, combustible gas indicators, and other gas detection meters, to assess environmental conditions for potential health and safety consistent with the level of certification and training. Attends training sessions associated with assigned duties. Maintains an assuring and calming attitude during periods of stress and emergency. Follows established safety rules, regulations, precautions, policies, and procedures in work assignments. Prepares and/or assists in the preparation of timely and technically accurate reports regarding responses to hazardous materials emergencies. Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. Maintains essential records, files, and equipment. Maintains equipment, vehicles, and program facilities. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Requirements

Applicant must show completion of: Eight (8) hour Level 2 First Responder Operations training course Course must be in compliance with any one of the following: National Fire Protection Association 471 standard; revised NFPA 472 standard; 473 standard; New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management Occupational Safety and Health Administration Regulations 29 CFR 1910-1206 (q) 6ii United States Department of Transportation

License

Appointees will be required to possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of hazardous materials terminology. Knowledge of relevant standard operating procedures and termination. Knowledge of the appropriate chemical protective gear to at least Level B as well as any other specialized personal protective equipment to be used at the scene of a hazardous materials incident. Knowledge of those procedures for making hazard and risk assessments. Knowledge of the procedures involved with coordinating hazardous materials teams from federal, state, county, and local jurisdiction levels. Knowledge of the policies, regulations, and procedures involved in coordinating investigation of hazardous materials releases. Knowledge of the chemical, toxicological, biological, and radiological effects of hazardous substances released into the environment. Ability to make accurate observations at the scene of a hazardous materials incident. Ability to implement a site safety plan. Ability to classify, identify, and verify known and unknown materials by using monitoring equipment. Ability to function within an assigned role in the Incident Command System. Ability to complete record keeping procedures. Ability to perform basic hazardous materials containment within the capabilities of the resources and personal protective equipment available. Ability to use and calibration of specific equipment and recording, measuring, and testing devices in monitoring and assessing environmental conditions during periods of emergency such as air monitoring and combustible gas instruments. Ability to understand and interpret chemical, toxicological, biological, and radiological terminology. Ability to follow established safety rules, regulations, precautions, policies, and procedures in work assignments. Ability to select and implement appropriate decontamination procedures. Ability to follow written and oral orders, directions, and plans. Ability to interact with various people who are in differing situations. Ability to maintain an assuring and calming attitude during periods of stress and emergency. Ability to maintain physical fitness, as required to perform the essential functions of the job. Fitness shall be determined by a specialized medical physician and as established by applicable health and safety regulations. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

Appointees may be required to have completed an eight (8) hour Level 2 Emergency Medical Operations training course, at the discretion of the appointing authority. Appointees may be required to attend training for additional certifications in a specified timeframe as determined by the appointing authority. Such training may include but not be limited to: NFPA 1001, Basic Firefighting or equivalent New Jersey Emergency Medical Technician Certification or equivalent SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Appointees must be able to respond to hazardous materials emergencies (as required by the employer). Appointees will be required to carry a personal paging device, and must be able to respond to hazardous materials emergencies on a 24 hour, 7-day a week basis. Appointees will be required to participate in the department's medical surveillance and physical fitness conditioning program pursuant to OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910-120 (f). Appointees will be required to obtain a special driver's license from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to operate the type of vehicles assigned to the program within six (6) months of being hired. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.