CUPA Administrator
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CUPA Administrator
Salary
$124,032.00 - $153,120.00 Annually
Location
City of Santa Monica, CA
Job Type
Full-Time Regular
Job Number
251326-01
Department
Fire
Division
Fire Prevention
Opening Date
10/13/2025
Closing Date
10/30/2025 5:30 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Summary
Administers the City's Certified Unified Program Agency Program (CUPA) and related environmental programs, performs highly technical inspections for hazardous materials and fire and life safety code compliance, and reviews plans involving hazardous material storage and use.
Representative Duties
Oversees the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures for the City's CUPA program. Liaises with state regulatory agencies and regional partners to ensure consistent application of rules and regulations.
Supervises, trains, monitors, and evaluates the activities of assigned staff.
Develops and manages the City's CUPA database and maintains information in the State of California CERS database.
Assists in the development and administration of an assigned budget, forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and conducts fee analyses and provides associated recommendations.
Oversees annual permit billing, monitors fee collections and allocation of revenues, monitors and approves expenditures, and recommends adjustments as necessary.
Reviews CUPA permit applications, issues permits and establishes accounts. Develops and issues Administrative Enforcement Orders in consultation with the City Attorney's Office.
Maintains financial management systems and reports. Coordinates and prepares audits and corresponding reports for state and federal regulatory agencies.
Coordinates the administration of hazardous waste inspections and enforcement with the participating agency.
Monitors regulatory development and maintains state standards for the City's certification as a CUPA.
Reviews and approves plans for the installation of hazardous material tanks and systems.
Performs technical and complex inspections of industrial and commercial facilities for compliance with applicable environmental, fire code, and life safety regulations, including inspections of underground petroleum storage tanks and aboveground petroleum storage tanks. May assist staff with hazardous materials, fire and life safety inspections, and other activities, as required.
Develops, updates, and analyzes documents for sufficiency and compliance with CUPA requirements which include, but are not limited to, the Hazardous Materials Release Response Program (HMRRP), California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP), the Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank (AST/UST) Programs. Writes detailed inspection reports and maintains accurate records.
Coordinates public outreach and public education activities, including public speaking and design of multi-media educational materials and press releases. May provide City staff with educational instruction regarding public health, safety, and environmental protection-related programs.
Attends and participates in countywide or regional meetings relating to hazardous materials.
Responds to public inquiries, verbally and in writing. Coordinates responses to Public Records Requests in accordance with the California Public Records Act.
Receives and responds to complaints from the public. Conducts investigations of complaints and/or incidents involving hazardous materials.
Performs other duties, as assigned.
Requirements
Knowledge of:
Federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations
Principles and best practices of CUPA and related environmental programs
Quantitative and management analysis techniques
Fire inspection procedures and practices
International fire and building codes
California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)
Principles of program and partnership development and management
Principles, practices and techniques of community outreach and public education
Database management technology
Principles of budget preparation and administration
Supervisory principles and practices
Effective customer service techniques
Ability to:
Assess the effectiveness of daily program activities and operations
Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of staff
Select, supervise, motivate, train, and communicate effectively with staff
Assess and research environmental issues
Keep abreast of current developments in the area of hazardous materials and related issues
Maintain knowledge and training in the principles of chemistry; the properties of chemicals commonly used in industrial and commercial applications; the laws, rules, regulations, codes, and ordinances related to hazardous materials and waste handling, storage, disposal, and use; principles and practices relating to the proper handling, transportation, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials; and regulatory investigative techniques
Develop, implement, and administer projects and programs
Apply complex fire prevention and environmental practices and procedures
Conduct research, analyze information, and make recommendations
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Prepare and present clear and concise oral and written reports and recommendations
Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with the public, City departments, and City boards and commissions
Work with people from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds as well as a variety of work styles, personalities, and approaches
Provide effective customer service
Skill in:
Program evaluation and development
Supervision and training
Public speaking
Working effectively with persons from diverse, cultural, and economic backgrounds
Using a personal computer and applicable software applications
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications:
Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in biology, microbiology, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, physical science, environmental science, geology, soil science, environmental health, environmental or sanitary engineering, toxicology, industrial hygiene, hazardous materials management, fire science, fire technology, or a closely related field.
OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a field that is not listed above with a minimum of 30 semester units or quarter unit equivalent in the disciplines referenced above.
OR
Registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the California Department of Public Health.
AND:
Experience:
Three years of recent, paid progressively responsible experience in environmental program management or CUPA program administration or with five years recent q ualifying experience in hazardous materials management, regulation, analysis, or research; environmental research, monitoring, surveillance or enforcement; or resource recovery; or hazardous materials or hazardous waste regulatory compliance inspections.
Licenses and Certificates:
Possession of a valid class C driver license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Possession of the International Code Council Certification as an Underground Storage Tank Inspector.
Possession of the Uniform Fire Code Inspector Certificate from either the International Code Council (ICC) or the Universal Fire Code Authority (UCFA) within one year of employment.
Completion of California State Fire Marshal certification as an Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Inspector within six months of employment.
Possession of Fire Prevention 2A, 2B, and 2C, or Fire Inspector 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D certificates from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are desirable.
Completion of California State Fire Marshal Hazardous Materials Specialist certification is desirable.
Completion of 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification is desirable.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.
If you would like for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts, diploma or proof of registration as an Environmental Health Specialist with the California Department of Public Health to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so may result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.
Selection Process:
All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applications will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
The selection process will consist of the following components and is subject to change as needs dictate:
Training and Experience Evaluation (qualifying)
Oral Interview (100%)
If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.
Note: Internal staff who submit transfer applications must notify the analyst in charge of the recruitment, via email, upon submission of their transfer application.
Background Investigation:
Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.
Inclusion & Diversity Statement
The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!
Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).
Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.
