Senior Air Quality Specialist

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is looking for a Senior Air Quality Specialist to manage data regarding air quality measurements and standards. This full-time role involves overseeing regulatory audits, mentoring staff, and developing processes that comply with air quality regulations.

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least 4 years of experience in air quality programs. The position includes training opportunities and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience in air-quality inspections or developing air-quality programs.
• 2 years of experience equivalent to Air District Air Quality Specialist II.

Responsibilities

• Lead direction, training, and work review for staff.
• Oversee regulatory audits and field investigations.
• Draft and implement new rules and regulations.
• Maintain data systems supporting Air District programs.
• Prepare and give presentations on air quality programs.

Skills

Planning

Problem Analysis

Technical Communication

Training

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant fields

Job description

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) is a regional government agency committed to achieving clean air to protect public health and the environment.

The District’s jurisdiction covers all of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Napa counties, plus portions of Solano and Sonoma counties.

We value diversity, inclusion, employee engagement, pay equity, and work‑life balance.

About the Position

This full‑time, represented Senior Air Quality Specialist role belongs to the Meteorology Measurement Division within the Monitoring Data Systems (MDS) Section. The position focuses on data infrastructure, acquisition, instrument installation, calibration, and ensuring accurate environmental data for regulatory, public, and scientific use.

Responsibilities

• Provides lead direction, training, and work review to technical and support staff; prioritizes and follows up on assignments for timely completion.
• Provides lead oversight on complex regulatory audits, field investigations, and studies.
• Provides input into hiring selection decisions and performance evaluations.
• Provides technical development and training.
• Coordinates and participates in development, review, and approval of new and revised rules, regulations, policies, and procedures for programs.
• Reviews and analyzes complex cases, reports, and rules for compliance; conducts inquiries, researches, compiles files, and prepares reports and recommendations.
• Drafts, implements, recommends, and revises forms, webpages, and other program tools.
• Maintains data and data systems supporting Air District programs.
• Reviews and develops recommendations concerning air‑quality and climate‑protection reports, plans, legislation, and regulations.
• Organizes and participates in workshops and meetings; provides consultation and advice to individuals and businesses on area expertise.
• Prepares and gives presentations on air‑quality and climate‑protection related programs and projects.
• Interacts and represents the Air District with industry, attorneys, the public, and other agencies; provides technical expertise to staff, counsel, industry, and the public.
• Conducts meetings and workshops with legal, public, and private agency officials to explain and interpret technical policies, rules, and regulations.
• Participates in meetings, conferences, hearing boards, and workshops; serves on special committees and task forces.
• Responds to oral and written requests for technical, operational, and administrative information about Air District programs.
• Leads technical and safety program training for staff; develops, coordinates, and delivers training aids and materials; monitors training needs.
• Briefs Air District executives and presents at public workshops and board meetings.
• Works closely with other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders.
• Maintains detailed technical records, SOPs, and logbooks to comply with regulatory guidelines.
• Administers the records‑management program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Special Meteorology and Measurement Duties

• Evaluates performance of analytical instrumentation and ensures compliance with District, state, and federal standards.
• Installs, operates, maintains, calibrates, and repairs air monitoring, meteorological, and source‑test equipment.
• Operates field computers, hardware/software, databases, telecommunications, and data devices in stand‑alone and networked acquisition systems; troubleshoots errors or malfunction.
• Oversees data evaluation, input into computer database, and responds to technical data requests.
• Maintains detailed technical records, SOPs, and logbooks.
• Develops and implements operational, analytical, and technical methods and procedures; writes SOPs.
• Performs acceptance testing of new and repaired scientific/analytical instrumentation.
• Performs quality‑control functions on air‑monitoring or source‑test equipment and calibrations in conformance with standards.
• Coordinates and tracks certifications of reference standards.
• Develops and recommends improved sampling techniques and equipment modifications; provides fabrication support for monitoring platforms.
• Coordinates and oversees in‑section safety programs.
• Coordinates purchasing, replenishment, and inventory tracking of spare components, supplies, and consumables.
• Works with the data‑management team to ensure data systems meet local, state, & federal regulations for storage, processing, and transmittal of regulatory data.
• Conducts mobile, portable, or stationary source‑oriented monitoring and collects ambient or source‑test samples.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from a four‑year college or university in chemistry, computer science, electronics, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, physical sciences, physics, or a closely related field, plus 4 years of experience performing air‑quality inspections, installing, operating, and maintaining air‑monitoring instrumentation, or developing air‑quality programs, with at least 2 years equivalent to Air District Air Quality Specialist II responsibilities.
• Substitution: Relevant training and work experience may replace the education requirement on a year‑for‑year basis.

Knowledge

• Theories, principles, and practices of air‑quality measurements, inspection, and enforcement, including environmental research and analysis.
• Applicable Air District, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Basic legal principles of civil prosecution, especially in environmental enforcement.
• Basic principles of engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology as they relate to air‑quality programs.
• Industrial processes and equipment used in air‑pollution control.
• Common biological, chemical, and physical processes that cause air pollution and their short‑ and long‑term impacts.
• General principles of data quality and control.
• Industrial practices and techniques to modify production processes and equipment to reduce emissions.
• Record‑keeping and reporting principles and practices.
• General principles of records management.

Skills and Abilities

• Planning, assigning, directing, and reviewing the work of others.
• Training others in work procedures.
• Directing, developing, and administering effective air‑quality programs.
• Analyzing technical air‑pollution problems, evaluating alternative solutions, and developing effective recommendations.
• Analyzing and interpreting technical and legal rules, policies, and procedures.
• Reading and understanding technical engineering diagrams and processes.
• Preparing clear and concise technical reports, correspondence, presentations, and other written materials.
• Negotiating settlements tactfully and effectively.
• Communicating technical and non‑technical information orally and in writing to various audiences.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with stakeholders.

EEO & Inclusion

The Air District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic are prohibited in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.