Air Pollution Specialist

California Air Resources Board; California; Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

California Air Resources Board seeks an Air Pollution Specialist to advance environmental justice across California. The role includes analyzing data, engaging communities, and developing policy recommendations.

You will work across divisions, build relationships with residents and leaders, and travel occasionally to Northern and Central California. The position emphasizes equity, clear communication, and collaboration within a regulatory framework.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing and organizational skills.
• Enthusiastic about working with people and communities.
• Willing to travel occasionally within California.

Responsibilities

• Analyze monitoring data or write policy papers.
• Attend community meetings to listen to residents’ pollution concerns.
• Present policy recommendations to the CARB Board.
• Collaborate across divisions on emission-reduction strategies and outreach campaigns.
• Build relationships with residents, community leaders, and state agencies to meet local priorities.

Skills

Writing skills

Organizational skills

Community engagement

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-534478
Position #(s): 673-150-3887-002
Working Title: Air Pollution Specialist
Classification: AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST
$5,918.00 - $7,059.00 A
$7,089.00 - $8,872.00 B
$9,158.00 - $11,455.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions: Multiple
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify
CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews. Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.
Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov

Job Description And Duties

Join an amazing team focused on advancing environmental justice across California.

Seeking someone who is enthusiastic about working with people, who is motivated to support California communities that face the greatest air pollution burdens, and who has excellent writing and organizational skills. This position is focused on, but not exclusive to Northern and Central California communities and requires occasional travel.

No two days look the same in this position. One day you might be analyzing monitoring data or writing a paper; the next, you're in a community meeting listening to residents describe pollution burdens in their neighborhood; the next, you're presenting policy recommendations to the Board.

This Air Pollution Specialist position (APS) plays a key role in implementing Assembly Bill 617 and advancing CARB's statewide strategy to reduce community-scale air pollution by working at the intersection of technical, scientific, legal, and policy topics in air quality. The APS collaborates across California Air Resources Board divisions on emission-reduction strategies and outreach campaigns. They will build relationships with residents and community leaders, and work with air districts, tribal governments, industry, and statewide and local government agencies to find solutions to meet the local priorities.

This work requires someone who is comfortable navigating multiple projects at once, thrives in collaborative environments, and values building trusting relationships with people from many backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences. This work effectively operationalizes CARB's equity goals, ensuring community voices guide decision-making and technical analyses are transparently communicated clearly and respectfully. Core competencies include written and verbal communication, collaboration, technical fluency, and a good understanding of the nuances of legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks that affect communities.

This position will require the candidate to possess a driver license and to pass defensive driving training courses, enroll in the DMV Pull Notice Program, and maintain a 'good' driver status. Additionally, the candidate must be willing to occasionally work in an industrial environment including exposure to air emissions, fumes, heat, and vehicle traffic, and to wear personal protective equipment.

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

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Candidates whose applications do not include the required SOQ will not be considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

• Require Name on SOQ
• Require Job Control Number on SOQ
• Maximum number of pages: 3

Describe your education, training, experience, and skills that enable you to perform the duties listed in the Duty Statement.

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

Final Filing Date: 10/31/2026

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.