Hazardous Materials Technician (Health, Occupational & Environmental Safety)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

We are seeking a Hazardous Materials Technician who is responsible for the safe identification, handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous and regulated materials in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations generated at the Johns Hopkins University and Health System. This position is hands-on and field-based, requiring strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and a commitment to safety in dynamic laboratories, clinical, and operational environments.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Collect, handle, and transport hazardous chemical waste from laboratories, clinics, and other campus locations.
• Perform routine and on-demand chemical waste pickups across multiple facilities.
• Identify, segregate, and label materials in accordance with EPA and DOT hazard classifications.
• Consolidate compatible waste streams to optimize storage and disposal in compliance with regulations.
• Ensure proper packaging and labeling for transportation of waste in accordance with DOT requirements.
• Prepare and maintain accurate hazardous waste manifests, inspection logs, and other required documentation.
• Coordinate shipment and disposal of hazardous materials with approved vendors and permitted facilities.
• Respond to chemical spills and hazardous materials incidents, including after-hours situations as needed.
• Follow the policies and procedures of the University and Health System for the handling of chemical waste.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety practices, with the ability to understand and follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Must be capable of working with hazardous materials safely and be able to wear respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment (medical clearance required).
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and maneuver drums weighing up to 450 pounds using appropriate equipment such as a drum hand truck.
• Must be able to stand/walk for 80 – 100% of the workday.
• May require after-hours emergency response; must have reliability and responsiveness and be able to report when needed.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to off-site locations for waste handling and training as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in a safety-focused, hands-on work environment (e.g., construction, warehousing, landscaping, or similar).
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic safety practices, with the ability to understand and follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in environmental services, hazardous materials handling, laboratory support, or related technical fields.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) or ability to complete HAZWOPER training within 60 days of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and in a team-oriented environment.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Chemistry, Environmental Health & Safety, or a related discipline preferred, or college-level classwork in those subjects.
• Relevant training and work experience may be considered in lieu of formal education, and additional related experience may substitute for higher education beyond a high school diploma, in accordance with institutional equivalency guidelines.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.