Air Quality Engineer - Assistant/Associate
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District is seeking an Air Quality Engineer to evaluate emissions sources from a broad range of processes, collect data, estimate emissions, and write enforceable permits. The role involves inspections, modeling, and ensuring compliance with applicable air quality laws and regulations.
The position requires developing plans and coordinating programs across divisions to maintain and improve air quality standards.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in civil, chemical, environmental, automotive, or mechanical engineering or closely related field.
- Two (2) years of experience as Assistant Air Quality Engineer or two (2) years of full-time experience performing responsible engineering work in air quality management.
- Ability to review, interpret, and evaluate air pollution control engineering plans and test data.
Responsibilities
- Gathers, organizes, evaluates, and presents information on air pollution sources and emissions.
- Reviews, analyzes, and calculates emissions and writes reports.
- Applies engineering principles to ensure compliance with laws and regulations; writes acceptable permit conditions.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Note: this posting has been updated with the classification approved by the Board of Directors on 9/28/2026.
The Engineering and Compliance Division is seeking a highly motivated, organized and detail-oriented Air Quality Engineer. This position requires the ability to evaluate sources of emissions from a wide range of mechanical and industrial processes, collect information from thousands of businesses and estimate air pollution emissions from the data, write enforceable air quality permits, and perform inspections. This includes reviewing air quality regulations and other technical documents, performing mathematical computations, running air dispersion modeling programs, utilizing sound engineering principals to quantify emissions, witnessing and evaluating source tests, and preparing technical written documents that demonstrate compliance with applicable air quality regulations.
This is a multi-functional position that can be found across multiple divisions, with specific duty assignments varying by division. Under general direction, performs a variety of professional engineering and technical work in connection with the evaluation, control, monitoring, and assessment of air quality standards and conditions. Develops, plans, and strategizes to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, and contracts; coordinates programs and/or projects that help maintain and improve air quality standards; and performs other related duties as required.
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed. Associates are normally filled by advancement from Assistant Air Quality Engineer, or when filled from the outside, require prior engineering experience in a related field.
Assistant Air Quality Engineer – This is the entry-level class in the professional air quality engineering series. Incumbents work under immediate supervision while learning District practices, rules, policies and procedures, local, State and Federal air pollution practices, rules and regulations, and the principles and practices necessary for the position. The Assistant performs office and/or field projects of average difficulty and complexity and is required to perform them to completion. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate increased proficiency requiring less supervision; work becomes increasingly complex as skills and abilities develop. Incumbents assist more experienced staff on more complex projects.
Associate Air Quality Engineer – The fully experienced, journey-level class in air quality engineering series. Incumbents are responsible for assignments of substantial difficulty and complexity and are required to perform them to completion. Associate Air Quality Engineers may provide technical direction to others, train entry personnel, and act as a project leader.
Pay Range: $47.58 - $57.83/hour with typical starting pay between $47.58 - $52.45/hour*
- Placement higher in the range may be considered based on education, prior experience, and internal equity.
Pay Range: $55.26 - $67.17/hour with typical starting pay between $55.26 and $60.92/hour*
- Placement higher in the range may be considered based on education, prior experience, and internal equity.
The duties listed are examples of work typically performed by employees in this class. While certain duties are categorized under specific divisions, this does not preclude the assignment of these or other duties to positions in different divisions as needed, and there is often overlap in related responsibilities. Duties may be adjusted or reassigned based on operational needs and the District’s priorities. Additionally, this job description does not list all possible duties that may be assigned, and employees may not be required to perform all duties listed.
- Gathers, organizes, evaluates, and presents information and data on air pollution sources and emissions.
- Reviews, analyzes, and calculates emissions, performs cost analysis, reviews technical material for compliance with Federal, State, and/or local requirements; writes reports and summaries of analysis.
- Applies scientific methods and principles to review, analyze, comment, and validate data sets, records, reports, and calibrations to ensure validity and compliance with regulatory guidelines.
- Represents the District on committees and at public activities, meetings, and before official bodies.
- Works with businesses and the public to communicate and explain air quality standards, air quality programs, permitting actions, and the overall mission of the District.
- Maintains records and databases for a variety of air quality management programs; prepares reports.
- Assists with maintaining policies and procedures, work platforms, and other work documents as assigned.
- Analyzes, evaluates, and validates an assortment of data to determine compliance with air quality standards.
- Conducts initial inspections and start-up source test observation and report review.
- Performs Best Available Control Technology (BACT) reviews, consults with management and technical staff of industrial and commercial establishments on solutions to engineering problems arising from compliance; analyzes the technological feasibility, economic and other impacts of proposed practices and rule changes.
- Evaluates proposed equipment and manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations and District rules.
- Writes legally enforceable permit conditions and issues Authorities to Construct and Permits to Operate to ensure legal compliance of equipment and manufacturing processes.
- Issues legal notices for violations of law; works with compliance staff and sources to identify violations of laws, rules, policies, and regulations; supports compliance in developing steps for returning to compliance; recommends enforcement action and steps to return to compliance.
- Reviews and provides feedback on new/revised rules and writes advisories to help provide clarification where needed.
- Performs air dispersion modeling and health risk assessments.
- Reviews and evaluates engineering plans and applications for emission reduction credits.
- Researches and reviews Best Available Control Technology (BACT).
- Performs economic analysis on technology determinations.
- Analyzes pollution data and calculates pollutant emissions.
- Determines appropriate emission standards for proposed rules, permits, or grants.
- Researches local air quality; performs necessary studies and analysis of technological feasibility, economic and other impacts of proposed practices, and rule changes.
- Reviews, evaluates, writes, and analyzes new/revised rules and advisories; reviews and comments on legislation and regulations; writes rationale and background for rule changes.
- Evaluates proposed equipment and manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations and District rules.
- Evaluates proposed equipment and manufacturing processes to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.
- Performs inspections of equipment, infrastructure, vehicles, and/or other projects associated with grants to determine the equipment meets grant conditions.
- Performs engineering evaluations related to engine efficiency and mechanical/electrical/structural aspects of vehicles and various processes, e.g., fuel production and electric vehicle charging.
- Provides technical support and coordination for grant programs to introduce clean fuels and low-emission vehicles.
- Directs and manages demonstration projects of light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road vehicles; helps define project scope and objectives and drafts agreement conditions including incentive amounts and oversees contract execution.
This position does not have supervisory responsibilities but may provide technical direction to others. May serve as a daily point of contact for interns and fellows, guiding tasks and projects without direct supervisory responsibilities. Associate Air Quality Engineers may provide training to other staff or act as a project leader.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil, chemical, environmental, automotive, or mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
- Or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.
- Completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil, chemical, environmental, automotive, or mechanical engineering or a closely related field; and
- Two (2) years of experience as an Assistant Air Quality Engineer or two (2) years of full-time experience performing responsible engineering work in air quality management.
- Or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.
- Principles of mathematics and physics necessary to evaluate, monitor, and control air quality
- Basic computer and database principles and statistical techniques
- Engineering principles used in the various types of industrial processes
- Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations related to air quality and vehicle emission standards
- Thermodynamic and heat transfer principles
- Engineering principles, methods, practices, and equipment used in determining, evaluating, monitoring, and controlling air quality
- Various types of industrial processes and control equipment
- Methods of collecting and analyzing air and stack gas samples; design and use of atmospheric pollution control devices
- Relationship of Federal and State air quality programs to local government programs
- Air quality plan components and methods of calculating impacts of air pollution control measures
- Applications including air dispersion and health risk modeling; light, medium, heavy-duty, and off-road powertrain and emission control systems
- Environmental and safety aspects of conventional and alternative fuels
- Review, interpret, and evaluate air pollution control engineering plans and test data
- Conduct research and special studies of air quality
- Analyze engineering problems and propose solutions using scientific methods and principles
- Accurately perform mathematical computations, reconcile discrepancies in data, and prepare technical documents including detailed technical reports and analyses
- Interpret, apply, and explain Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, and laws
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
- Evaluate and review permit applications, plans, assessments, tests, rules, and proposals
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; present in public and private meetings with audiences of varying technical skills, including coworkers and representatives of government, industry, and the public
- Work both independently and collaboratively with those contacted in the course of work
- Act as project lead
- Manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Learn and effectively use computers and software applications necessary to complete job duties, including Office productivity suite, unified collaborate software, environmental and air modeling software, enterprise resource planning system, grant management software, and geographic and land information systems
- Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required for positions performing inspections or air monitoring activities. Alternative forms of transportation, such as public transit, ride-hailing services, biking, or walking, will be considered when evaluating job-related transportation needs.
- California Air Resources Board-approved visible emissions evaluation certificate for positions performing inspections as job duties require. May be obtained within the probationary period of employment.
- Possession of 40-hour HAZWOPER Certification when working in environments with potential hazardous exposures as job duties require.
- Other certification and training required to perform job functions.
- Evening and weekend work may be required.
- Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone
- Dexterity of hands, fingers, and wrist to operate a computer keyboard
- Seeing to read a variety of materials
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
- Physical agility to lift 25 pounds to shoulder height
- Physical agility to lift, bend, stoop, climb ladders, other equipment, and stairs, crouch, carry, push, or pull objects
- Traveling as needed to outside locations
- Generally clean work environment with some exposure to outdoor conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise
- Cafeteria Plan - The District provides funding of up to $2,431.24/month in 2026, for the purchase of medical, dental, vision, and ancillary benefits.
- Medical Insurance - The District offers a wide range of HMO and PPO health plans through CalPERS.
- Dental Insurance - Basic Plan: 100% District paid for employees and their dependents. Enhanced Plan: Employee pays the difference in premium from the Basic plan.
- Vision Insurance - District-paid coverage for employees. Employee pays the difference in premium when covering dependents.
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health and dependent care plans allowing employee pre-tax contributions of up to $3,300 and $5,000 per plan year, respectively. ($500 rollover for Health FSA. District-provided cafeteria plan funding cannot be used for these plans.)
- Life Insurance - District provides $50,000 in coverage for employees. Voluntary plans are available for employee and family coverage.
- Long-Term Disability - District-paid coverage, up to $9,000 per month, based on pre-disability earnings.
- Aflac - Voluntary plans for cancer, accident, & specified health event.
- Retirement - Employees contribute 7% (classic members) or 7.75% (membership beginning after January 2013 or with more than 6-month break in CalPERS service) to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) defined benefit plan. The benefit formulas are 2% @ 55 and 2% @ 62, respectively.
- 457 Plan - Voluntary tax-deferred retirement savings plan with a District match of up to $35 per pay period.
- Retiree Medical Insurance - District retirees may be eligible to enroll in a CalPERS health plan with a District contribution.
- Annual Cost of Living Adjustments - 2% to 4% per year based on changes in the consumer price index.
- Commute Allowance - up to $110 per month for use of approved alternate means of commuting to work, e.g., Regional Transit, carpool, bicycle, walking, zero-emission vehicle.
- Education Allowance - up to $2,400 per year.
- Employee Assistance Plan - available for employees and members of their household.
- Uniform Allowance - Up to $180 every 2 years for safety shoes for eligible employees.
- Management Differential - A 5% salary differential is provided to management employees.
- 9/80 Schedule Option - Employees may have the option to work a standard schedule of 8 hours a day 5 days a week, or a 9/80 working mostly 9-hour days with a day off every other week.
- Flexible Schedules - Employees may be allowed a work schedule that provides for starting and quitting times other than the standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Opportunity to Telework – Some positions allow for flexible telework schedules.
- Vacation - 12 days per year for the first 3 years, then 20 days to 27 days per year based on years of service.
- Sick Leave - 15 days per year.
- Holidays - 11 days per year.
- Administrative Leave - 10 days per year.
- Management Sick Leave Payout - Sick leave may be accumulated without limitation and management employees will be paid one-half of accrued sick leave upon retirement unless such payment is waived. Sick leave is convertible to PERS retirement service credits.
- Vacation Leave Payout – Unrepresented supervisors and managers may cash out vacation for the equivalent cash compensation each fiscal year in an amount not to exceed the cap or hours used during the year.
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