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Hazmat Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

$52K/yr

This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-6: Firefighter I and II, HAZMAT Operations. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or Pro ...

$52K/yr

This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-6: Firefighter I and II, HAZMAT Operations. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or Pro ...

FIREFIGHTER

San Diego, CA · On-site

$47K/yr

Firefighter I and II, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Apparatus Driver/Operator, State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician ...

Firefighter I and II, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Apparatus Driver/Operator, State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician ...

Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter,HazMat Operations, Driver Operator Pumper, and Driver Operator ARFF. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet ...

Firefighter I and II, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Apparatus Driver/Operator, State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician ...

Firefighter I and II, Fire Officer I, Fire Instructor I, Fire Inspector I, HazMat Awareness, HazMat Operations, Apparatus Driver/Operator, State or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician ...

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Hazmat Operations information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hazmat operations technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hazmat Operations Technician, you need a solid understanding of hazardous materials handling, incident response protocols, and relevant safety regulations, usually backed by Hazmat Operations-level certification. Familiarity with specialized PPE, detection instruments, and decontamination systems is essential for effectively managing hazardous environments. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and calmness under pressure are key soft skills in this role. These abilities are vital to ensure safe, coordinated, and compliant responses to hazardous materials incidents.

What is the difference between Hazmat Operations vs Hazmat Technicians?

AspectHazmat OperationsHazmat Technicians
CertificationsHAZMAT Operations Certification, OSHA trainingHAZMAT Technician Certification, OSHA training
Work EnvironmentSupervising, coordinating hazmat response teamsResponding directly to hazardous material incidents
Job RoleOversees hazmat response, manages safety protocolsPerforms hands-on hazardous material cleanup and containment

Hazmat Operations personnel typically oversee hazmat response activities, focusing on coordination and safety management, while Hazmat Technicians are directly involved in handling hazardous materials during incidents. Both roles require similar certifications and work in hazardous environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and hands-on involvement.

What is hazmat operations?

Hazmat Operations refers to the actions performed by trained personnel to respond to hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents. These professionals are responsible for containing, controlling, and mitigating dangerous substances such as chemicals, gases, or biological agents to protect people, property, and the environment. Typically, Hazmat Operations responders work under the guidance of Hazmat Technicians and may perform defensive tasks like diking, damming, or stopping the release of hazardous materials. They are essential in emergency situations involving spills, leaks, or other hazardous events.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in hazmat operations, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Hazmat Operations often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing emergency situations, exposure to hazardous substances, and the need for precise communication among team members. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing training, strict adherence to safety protocols, and effective teamwork. Many organizations support their Hazmat teams with regular drills, up-to-date personal protective equipment (PPE), and clear communication channels to ensure everyone is prepared to respond safely and efficiently.

What are popular job titles related to Hazmat Operations jobs in California?

For Hazmat Operations jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Hazmat Operations jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Hazmat Operations jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Hazmat Operations job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

FIREFIGHTER (BLS/HAZMAT TECHNICIAN)

US Department of the Navy

Seal Beach, CA • On-site

$47K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


United States Navy rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 379 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Qualifications:GS-05
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of experience at or equivalent to the GS-04 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Perform structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities; 2) Identifying new or existing hazards; 3) Operate a variety of firefighting equipment; 4) Perform hazard and risk assessment techniques in completing initial incident analysis; and 5) Initiate established medical protocols in providing basic life support.
This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-05: Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, and First Aid Provider. These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirement. If you do not possess all of the above certifications, you will be rated ineligible.
GS-06
Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Perform structural firefighting duties for a variety of facilities; 2) Identifying new or existing hazards; 3) Operate a variety of firefighting equipment; 4) Perform hazard and risk assessment techniques in completing initial incident analysis; and 5) Initiate established medical protocols in providing basic life support.
This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-06: Firefighter I and II, HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, Driver/Operator Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirement. If you do not possess all of the above certifications, you will be rated ineligible.
GS-07
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of Specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-06 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department/brigade; 2) Performing rescue operations; 3) Detecting, reducing, or eliminating potential fire hazards; 4) Controlling hazardous materials incidents; 5) Driving and operating firefighting vehicles; and 6) Performing non-invasive emergency medical procedures.
This position requires the incumbent to possess the following certifications for the GS-07: Firefighter I and II, HAZMAT Awareness, HAZMAT Operations, Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Driver/Operator Certification (i.e. Pumper /Aerial) and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). These certifications must have been awarded by DoD, IFSAC or ProBoard to meet the requirement. If you do not possess all of the above certifications, you will be rated ineligible.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0000/fire-protection-and-prevention-series-0081/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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National security, national security and international affairs, public safety statistics centers and offices, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and public administration

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10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

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