Air Pollution Specialist

Austincc; California; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

California Air Resources Board (CARB) seeks an Air Pollution Specialist to support the U.S. Forest Compliance Offset Protocol within the Cap-and-Trade Program.

The role focuses on forestry-related GHG reduction measures, protocol updates, and coordination with industry and government stakeholders. The position requires developing technical and statistical tools for quantification, monitoring and reporting, plus collaboration with cross-functional teams to address policy issues and ensure program

Qualifications

• Knowledge of forestry practices and greenhouse gas accounting concepts.
• Ability to develop technical and statistical tools for forest carbon quantification, monitoring and reporting.
• Experience collaborating with technical teams and stakeholders on regulatory programs.

Responsibilities

• Assess U.S. Forest Compliance Offset Protocol projects and forest inventory methods.
• Develop updates to the protocol and related regulatory provisions.
• Prepare briefing papers, presentations, and analyses for program decisions.

Job description

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The Climate Change Program Evaluation Branch of the Industrial Strategies Division has a position available in the Program Operations Section for a motivated Air Pollution Specialist (APS) with knowledge of forestry practices to conduct a variety of activities related to development, implementation, and analysis of the U.S Forest Compliance Offset Protocol. This work supports the California Air Resources Board’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions programs, principally the Compliance Offsets Program within the Cap-and-Trade Program.

Under direction of the Air Resources Supervisor I, the incumbent will participate as a member of high level technical (engineering and scientific) teams established to address technical and policy issues associated with the development of plans and protocols for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as part of California's Cap-and-Trade Program.

The duties for this position are primarily focused on implementation of the U.S Forest Compliance Offset Protocol. The incumbent will assess U.S Forest Compliance Offset Protocol projects, including forest inventory methods, and assist offset project operators with compliance and verification matters. The incumbent will develop technical and statistical tools and approaches for assessing forest carbon quantification, monitoring, and reporting applicable to the offsets program and other forest-related and land conservation efforts. The incumbent will also be responsible for assisting with the development of updates to the protocol and the associated regulatory provisions.

The incumbent will develop a variety of reports, briefing papers, speeches, and presentations, and will work with management to evaluate proposals and recommend creative solutions to climate change challenges. The incumbent may also be called upon to serve as a lead person for workgroups, technical meetings, and verification and project audits, and to engage in events with industry, environmental groups, government organizations, and the public. The incumbent may be called upon to assist with review of offset project types other than forest projects.

This position requires development and assessment of GHG reduction measures; understanding and use of technical, economic, financial, and market data; consultation with stakeholders; interpretation and application of regulatory requirements; evaluation of environmental policies; and project management skills. Additional tasks will include preparing briefing papers, correspondence, and presentations to describe regulatory programs, articulate policy positions, and solicit feedback; providing regulatory guidance and interpretation; and meeting with and responding to inquiries from industry, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This position requires occasional travel.

This position may be subjected to a background check, for felonies and credit, to ensure the integrity of the carbon market program due to the position’s access to market sensitive information.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resource Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.).
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.