STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST

State Air Resources Board; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Air Resources Board in California is seeking a Community Air Monitoring Technical Assessment Specialist to co-lead the network assessment and advance the Community Air Protection Program. You will work with air districts, academia, vendors, and communities to evaluate monitoring networks, identify gaps, and develop practical recommendations.

Reporting to the Monitoring and Laboratory Division, the SAPS will analyze large datasets, translate findings for public and decision-makers, and

Qualifications

• Requires valid California driver's license; occasional field travel.
• Availability for field work, including potential changes to work schedule, overtime, and overnight travel.

Responsibilities

• Co‑lead assessment of community air monitoring networks to identify coverage gaps, evaluate monitoring effectiveness, and prioritize future monitoring.
• Lead evaluation of advanced and emerging air monitoring technologies for criteria pollutants and toxic air contaminants.
• Present monitoring findings and recommendations to the Board and brief executive leadership, translating complex technical analyses into clear options for decision‑making.
• Communicate monitoring data and outcomes to community members and the public through workshops, community meetings, and plain‑language materials.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations for statewide monitoring plan updates, Board materials, and legislative reporting.
• Coordinate with air districts, community groups, state agencies, academia, vendors, and other partners on monitoring data, outcomes, and future priorities.
• Analyze large, complex air monitoring datasets and develop standardized analysis approaches, coverage maps, gap analyses, and other technical products that support statewide monitoring decisions.
• Review scientific literature and emerging monitoring approaches and translate findings into practical guidance.

Job description

Job Posting:Community Air Monitoring Technical Assessment Specialist

State Air Resources Board

JC-537392 -

JC-537392 - Community Air Monitoring Technical Assessment Specialist
STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST

$10,521.00 - $13,173.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/13/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

The Air Monitoring Support Branch maintains teams in both Sacramento and Riverside; therefore, this position is available for applicants that are able to report to either location.

This is a unique opportunity within the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Monitoring and Laboratory Division (MLD) as a Staff Air Pollution Specialist (SAPS). This position will support the Community Air Protection and Environmental Justice programs, established under AB 617 and SB 352, which focus on reducing air pollution exposure in California's most impacted neighborhoods.

The Air Monitoring Support Branch implements air monitoring projects using a range of innovative technologies and platforms, including mobile laboratories, fixed-site monitoring, and distributed sensor networks. Our mission is to evaluate and incorporate emerging monitoring technologies to ensure high-quality ambient air data that supports CARB programs, public health, and environmental justice. We collaborate closely with CARB divisions, local air districts, community organizations, industry stakeholders, and scientific experts.

We are seeking SAPS to co‑lead the community air monitoring network assessment in support of CARB's Community Air Protection Program. This position will help evaluate the effectiveness of community air monitoring networks across California, identify monitoring gaps, and develop recommendations for future monitoring priorities and deployments. The SAPS will work with large and complex air monitoring datasets and contribute technical findings to statewide monitoring plan updates and annual Board and legislative reporting.

In this role, you will develop and apply methods for assessing monitoring network performance, data quality, coverage, and effectiveness; maintain pollutant‑specific coverage maps; and translate technical findings into clear, defensible recommendations for CARB leadership and the public. You will work closely with air districts, community groups, state agencies, academia, technology vendors, and other partners to incorporate technical feasibility, health relevance, and community priorities into monitoring decisions. Strong skills in technical reporting and public communication, environmental data analysis, air monitoring, and collaborative project work are highly desired.

• Co‑lead assessment of community air monitoring networks to identify coverage gaps, evaluate monitoring effectiveness, and prioritize future monitoring.
• Lead evaluation of advanced and emerging air monitoring technologies for criteria pollutants and toxic air contaminants
• Present monitoring findings and recommendations to the Board and brief executive leadership, translating complex technical analyses into clear options for decision‑making.
• Communicate monitoring data and outcomes to community members and the public through workshops, community meetings, and plain‑language materials.
• Prepare analyses, presentations, and recommendations for statewide monitoring plan updates, Board materials, and legislative reporting.
• Coordinate with air districts, community groups, state agencies, academia, vendors, and other partners on monitoring data, outcomes, and future priorities.
• Analyze large, complex air monitoring datasets and develop standardized analysis approaches, coverage maps, gap analyses, and other technical products that support statewide monitoring decisions.
• Review scientific literature and emerging monitoring approaches and translate findings into practical guidance.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid California driver’s license and occasional use of personal transportation for work‑related travel.
• Availability for field work, including potential changes to work schedule, overtime, and overnight travel.
• Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., steel‑toed boots, hard hats, goggles, gloves) when required, as determined by the supervisor or Health and Safety Officer.

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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

PLP Language:

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Must be able to move/transport equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• During instrument deployment, instrument maintenance in the field, and certain meetings telework is not possible and the employee will be required on site.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST

Community Air Monitoring Technical Assessment Specialist

Classification:

STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST $10,521.00 - $13,173.00 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

Department Information

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.

• 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.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how the applicant’s skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. CARB will not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take place of the SOQ.

• Require Name on SOQ
• Require Job Control Number on SOQ
• Maximum number of pages: 1, Arial 12 pt font

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

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

The ideal candidate will have strong experience analyzing air quality or environmental data, including large and complex datasets, and will understand air monitoring and monitoring-network design. Experience with data management, geospatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization is highly desirable, as is familiarity with tools such as Python, SQL, GIS, or similar platforms. The candidate should be able to develop reproducible analytical methods and use data to identify trends, assess monitoring coverage and effectiveness, and inform priorities for future monitoring.

Equally important is the ability to communicate technical work to decision-makers and the public. The ideal candidate will have experience presenting findings and recommendations to executive leadership, boards, or similar decision‑making bodies, and explaining technical information to community members in plain language, both in writing and in person. The candidate should be able to synthesize multiple sources of technical information into concise briefings, maps, metrics, and summaries tailored to audiences ranging from technical partners to community groups to senior leadership. Experience with public workshops or community engagement is highly desirable.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project coordination skills are essential. The successful candidate will be self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and effective working with air districts, community groups, state agencies, researchers, and other partners.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Nearby (third‑party) parking
• Convenientto public transportation
• Located near: Restaurants and shopping

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Daljeet Kour
(000) -
[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s)to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(000) -
[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma. Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Additional Instructions for Mailing or Drop-Off Application Packages

NOTE: Applicants must not include Social Security Numbers, LEAPstatus information or paperwork, Equal Employment Opportunity information, examresult notices or scores, or medical or criminal history information on any document within their application package.

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.