Senior Air Quality Specialist (Regulatory Development)

Bay Area Air District; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Bay Area Air District in California seeks a Senior Air Quality Specialist to lead the review and drafting of regulatory language for air quality rules. You will interpret scientific research and analyses to develop regulations controlling pollutants, including climate-related impacts and community health concerns.

The role requires calculating cost effectiveness, analyzing emissions inventories, briefing executives, and collaborating across divisions to strengthen community partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, meteorology, or a closely related field.
• Three years of experience developing and administering air quality programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide lead direction and review for complex regulatory audits, field investigations, and studies.
• Develop, review, and track approval processes for new and revised rules and regulations.
• Interact with industry, the public, and other agencies to explain technical policies and regulations.
• Lead preparation of staff reports, memos, and presentations for the Board.

Skills

Regulatory development

Technical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, environmental engineering, environmental science, meteorology, or a closely related field

Job description

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Air Quality Specialist in the Regulatory Development Division. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position.

About the Position

The Senior Air Quality Specialist will serve as lead in reviewing and drafting regulatory language for various air quality rule programs; work closely with professional and technical staff to interpret complex scientific research and economic and environmental analyses and technical work for developing regulations to control air pollutants (including those contributing to climate change and contributing to localize air quality impacts in overburdened communities).

Develop and implement cost effectiveness and incremental cost effectiveness calculations for a wide variety of sources in industry with a variety of control options; analyze emissions inventories to determine baseline emissions and reduction estimates for rules under development; brief District executives and present at workshops, committee and board meetings; work closely with the Community Engagement Section staff and other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders; perform related work as assigned.

The Regulatory Development Division works with all levels of the Air District, including staff, management, executives, and Board members in developing and modifying Air District rules to provide emissions reductions to improve air quality both regionally and at the neighborhood level and protect the climate. Click here to learn more about the Regulatory Development Division and the rule development process.

Definition

Under general direction, provides lead direction and performs complex assignments related to the administration, development, and implementation of air quality programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the advanced lead level in the air quality specialist series. Incumbents provide lead direction and are assigned complex air quality program assignments that require considerable technical knowledge and use of independent judgement. Incumbents develop and provide in-depth training and technical guidance to employees.

This class is distinguished from Principal Air Quality Specialist in that the latter is responsible for providing subject matter expertise and for developing new programs and handling the most difficult, sensitive, novel, or critical projects. This class is distinguished from Supervising Air Quality Specialist, in that the latter assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff on a continuing basis.

Hybrid Work Schedule

A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment. This position is a field and office position.

About the Air District

Bay Area Air District is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work‑life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well‑being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated and your growth is nurtured.

The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision‑making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

Typical Duties

• Provides lead direction, coordination, training and work review to staff on routine, continuing, or well‑defined tasks.
• Provides lead review on complex regulatory audits, field investigations, and studies.
• Evaluates, develops, and revises existing air quality policies and programs. Researches technical feasibility and new control proposals for new or revised rules.
• Leads the development, review, and tracking of approval processes for new and revised rules and regulations, policies and procedures for various programs.
• Reviews and analyzes complex cases and rules for compliance with applicable guidelines. Conducts inquiries, researches and compiles data and other pertinent information. Prepares reports and recommendations related to Air District programs.
• Conducts complex research and studies related to air quality and climate issues. Reviews and summarizes data, prepares special and periodic reports.
• Drafts, implements, recommends, and revises forms, webpages, and other program tools.
• Leads the maintenance and upgrade of data systems supporting Air District programs.
• Develops recommendations concerning air quality and climate protection programs, plans, legislation, and regulations. Prepares related reports, memos, and presentations.
• Interacts and represents the Air District with industry, the public, and other agencies. Provides technical expertise to Air District staff and counsel and to industry, the public, and other agencies.
• Conducts meetings and workshops with a variety of legal, public, and private agency officials to explain and interpret technical policies, rules, and regulations regarding Air District programs.
• Participates in meetings, conferences, hearing boards, and workshops with public and private agencies. Serves on special committees and task forces relating to air quality program activities.
• Responds to requests for technical, operational, and administrative information about Air District programs. Provides consultation and advice to individuals and businesses in matters related to area of expertise.
• Leads technical program training for Air District staff. Develops and coordinates training aids and materials.
• Prepares graphs, charts, statistical summaries, and technical reports and policy documents.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and recommendations to the Air District's Board of Directors, sub‑committees, leadership, and others as assigned.
• Works closely with other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders.
• Maintains detailed technical records, standard operating procedures, and logbooks to comply with regulatory guidelines.
• Administers records management program.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Representative Duties (by program area)

Regulatory Development Division

• Leads the review and development of regulatory language.
• Develops and implements cost effectiveness and incremental cost effectiveness calculations for a wide variety of sources in industries with a variety of control options.
• Leads and coordinates with professional and technical staff to perform complex scientific research and engineering work for developing regulations to control air pollutants (including those contributing to climate change and contributing to localized air quality impacts in overburdened communities).
• Works closely with professional and technical staff to perform and review economic analyses and environmental analyses.
• Works closely with staff from other air districts and the California Air Resources Board to develop air quality regulations and toxic control measures.
• Analyzes emissions inventories to determine baseline emissions and reduction estimates for rules under development.
• Reviews and develops testing, verification, and compliance determination procedures.

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for this classification.

Bachelor's degree froman accreditedcollege or university in chemistry,environmentalengineering, environmental science, meteorology, or a closely related fieldand three years of experience developing and administering air quality programs.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience drafting, revising, and reviewing environmental regulations.
• Strong familiarity with industrial facilities and processes such as petroleum refining, foundries, chemical plants, or power plants, landfills, cement kilns and batch plants.
• Experience researching emission control technologies, including developing and collecting information on control efficacy, costs, and applicability.
• Experience working effectively with various technical professionals and engaging staff members from various government agencies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work with people from diverse communities.
• Familiarity with highly impacted/disadvantaged and overburdened communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Air District does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, genetic information, medical condition, or mental or physical disability, or any other attribute or belief protected by law. It is the Air District’s policy to provide fair and equal access to the benefits of the programs or activities it administers.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Division at [phone].