Planner – Air Quality

Houston-Galveston Area Council; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston-Galveston Area Council is seeking an Air Quality Planner to join the Air Quality Team and advance regional air quality and climate initiatives. You will support regional plans, engage with local governments, transportation agencies, communities, and partners to implement strategies that reduce emissions.

The role emphasizes data analysis, emissions inventories, and public engagement to improve air quality across the 13-county region.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of regional air quality, climate, sustainability, transportation, or environmental planning.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement regional air quality and climate initiatives to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
• Support development and implementation of regional air quality plans including the Clean Air Action Plan.
• Collaborate with local governments, transportation agencies, state and federal partners, community organizations and other stakeholders to advance practical strategies.

Skills

Air quality planning

Climate action

Data analysis

GIS

Stakeholder engagement

Emissions inventories

Public communications

Transportation planning

Environmental policy

Grant administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field

Tools

GIS

Data visualization

Dashboards

Job description

About Houston-Galveston Area Council

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H‑GAC) is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country, serving a diverse 13‑county region with more than 7 million people. We are the pulse of our region, addressing issues that cross city limits and county lines every day.

We make decisions that affect our transportation system, support the safety and well‑being of our residents, connect people to jobs, help communities recover from natural disasters, protect water quality, and much more. We work to make the Houston‑Galveston region a great place to live, work, and thrive.

What Will I Be Doing?

H‑GAC is seeking a motivated and detail‑oriented Air Quality Planner to join the Air Quality Team within the Metropolitan Planning & Analysis Division. This position is ideal for a professional interested in environmental policy, sustainability, transportation planning, regional air quality management, and climate action.

Under the direction of the Air Quality Program Manager, the Air Quality Planner will support the development and implementation of regional air quality and climate initiatives designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality throughout the Houston‑Galveston region.

The position will contribute to H‑GAC’s air quality planning activities, including the development and implementation of regional air quality plans, including the Clean Air Action Plan, emissions reduction strategies, clean transportation planning including zero‑emission vehicle initiatives, data analysis, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and regional coordination.

The Air Quality Planner will work collaboratively with local governments, transportation agencies, state and federal partners, community organizations, businesses, universities, and other regional stakeholders to advance practical strategies that improve air quality and support a healthier, more sustainable region.

Key Qualifications

• Knowledge of regional air quality, climate, sustainability, transportation, or environmental planning.
• Familiarity with air quality improvement strategies, emissions reduction approaches, and climate action planning.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local air quality regulations and policy frameworks.
• Experience working with emissions inventories, air quality monitoring data, greenhouse gas data, or related environmental datasets.
• Experience with GIS, data visualization, dashboards, or other analytical tools.
• Knowledge of zero‑emission vehicles, clean transportation strategies, and transportation electrification.
• Experience supporting grant‑funded programs, including grant administration, reporting, or compliance.
• Experience coordinating projects involving multiple agencies, jurisdictions, or stakeholder groups.
• Experience with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, environmental education, or public communications.
• Experience working with local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, councils of governments, or other regional planning organizations.

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to work onregional air quality and climate initiatives affecting more than 7 million residents.
• Hands‑on experience supporting implementation of air quality planning activities, including the Clean Air Action Plan and regional emissions reduction strategies.
• Exposure to air quality data analysis, emissions inventories, transportation planning, and environmental policy.
• Opportunities to work directly with local governments, transportation agencies, community organizations, businesses, universities, and other regional partners.
• Experience developing and tracking projects, performance measures, and implementation strategies.
• Opportunities to represent H‑GAC at regional and professional meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events.
• Professional development and mentorship from experienced planners, policy analysts, and environmental professionals.

Do you have...

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline orrelatedfield of study
• Three (3) years of experienceworking with local government, nonprofit programs, school or in job related duties

Salary Range: $65,000.00 to 75,000.00

All employees of H‑GAC are required to reside within the agency’s region of service to support our commitment to excellence in service of our region.

H‑GAC is an equal opportunity/ADA employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or protected veteran status.