TCEQ - Modeling & Assessment Specialist VI

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking a Modeling and Assessment Specialist to join the Air Quality Division. You will develop, QA, and advance mobile and stationary emission inventory methods and support data-driven decisions.

You will coordinate SIP-related projects, automate data processes, and build advanced visualizations with Power BI, while ensuring compliance with EPA reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field plus 6 years of relevant modeling work.
• Doctorate degree in engineering or natural sciences plus 4 years of experience in scientific/engineering roles.
• Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam may substitute for six months of required experience.
• Two years of different but related scientific work may be substituted for required experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, quality assure and improve on-road and non-road mobile source emissions inventory methods and data.
• Coordinate SIP development-related activities and automate processes for RFP/SIP data delivery.
• Develop methods for quality assuring large data sets and create advanced visualizations (Power BI dashboards, charts).
• Load emissions data into program databases and report to EPA per federal rules and deadlines.

Skills

Emissions inventory

EPA models

SQL queries

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or sciences

Doctorate degree in engineering or sciences

Master's degree substitution for experience

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Access

Power BI

Job description

Job Description

, ready for a unique opportunity to grow with an environmental state agency? Join TCEQ! We bring passion and drive to carry out our mission of protecting our state's public health and natural resources.

YOUR FUTURE TEAM

As part of TCEQ's Office of Air, you would contribute to protecting and restoring Texas' air quality. See details about what we do. This position is a member of our Air Quality Division.

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

• Develop, quality assure and improve on-road and non-road mobile source emissions inventory (EI) methods, procedures, and data; organize, oversee, and coordinate directly related project activities, including grant and contract development and management. Use complex simulation models and associated software to develop mobile source emissions inventory data; coordinate the collection and validation of emissions model inputs and outputs.
• Coordinate technical activities for reasonable further progress (RFP) for State Implementation Plan (SIP) development. Determine requirements for on-road and non-road mobile source EI data as expressed in federal rules, the SIP, and other guidance documents; plan and execute methods for delivering emissions data products in appropriate written or electronic format. Develop and maintain methods to automate business processes and calculations related to RFP SIP development.
• Coordinate and develop methods for quality assuring large-scale data sets using approved software or coding languages. Coordinate and conduct highly advanced engineering analyses of anthropogenic emissions inventory data. Develop advanced visualizations including Power BI dashboards, graphics, and charts based on quality assured emissions data. Prepare datasets for posting on Microsoft Teams, the internet, or sharing with stakeholders.
• Coordinate the loading of emissions inventory data into the program area databases. Ensure emissions inventories are merged, built, and rated accurately according to section/team procedures. Report emissions inventory data to EPA according to federal regulations, format specifications (e.g., via CERS XML), and deadlines.

Key Qualifications

• Experience calculating and reviewing air emissions inventory data or other emissions-related data
• Experience using EPA's Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator or other EPA models
• Experience writing SQL queries to extract data from relational databases or working with database applications such as Microsoft Access to retrieve (query), review, and analyze complex data sets
• Experience creating and maintaining visualizations of data by using dashboards or other data visualization tools, including ArcGIS

Required Education & Experience

A bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, a basic or natural science, mathematics, or related field from an accredited college or university, plus six years of full-time experience performing modeling and/or assessment work or scientific work of a similar character, scope, and complexity in areas as listed in the examples of work performed.

A doctorate degree in engineering, a basic or natural science, mathematics, or related field from an accredited college or university, plus four years of experience performing scientific and/or general engineering specialist work.

One year of full-time experience as a Modeling and Assessment Specialist V.

Employees in this classification series may research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure, including but not limited to a communication infrastructure system, cybersecurity system, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment system, or water treatment facility. See Tex. Business & Commerce Code Section 117.001(2). Accordingly, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a requirement to be hired for and to continue to be employed with TCEQ.

Substitute Qualifications (applies To Both Options Above)

Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination may be substituted for six months of the required experience.

Two years of full-time experience performing scientific work of a different character and complexity, in areas other than specified above may be substituted for the required experience. Such as quantitative analysis work.

A master's degree in engineering, a basic or natural science, mathematics, or related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for two years of full-time experience performing scientific and/or general engineering specialist work.

TRANSCRIPT/ COLLEGE HOURS Or COURSE WORK

See instructions on how to attach documents. A copy of your official college transcript or evaluation of foreign credentials in CAPPS is required if needed to meet the qualifications listed above.

Work Schedule

Standard business hours are M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Individual and work group schedule determined by the TCEQ Air Quality Division.

Benefits

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans
• Insurance: Health, Vision, Dental, and optional FSA
• Paid day(s) off from work on national holidays and holidays that the state observes
• Professional development opportunities
• Longevity pay based on your number of years working for the state
• Wellness Program and Activities
• Onsite Nurse Practitioner in HQ
• Work-Life Balance

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TCEQ will conduct a criminal history records search, driving history (if required for the job) on candidates offered employment. In compliance with ADA, if you need accommodation during the employment process, please contact HRSS for assistance at [phone].

MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) CODES

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes can be found at: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/. Please click the hyperlink under 'Occupational Category' for the respective Class Title.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.