Senior Air Quality Specialist (Senior Rule Development Specialist) Government Job Dept-Flexible/Hybrid Full Time

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 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 Rules and Strategic Policy Division. This is a open recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position. Remote work is available for this position, in accordance with District policy. .

Definition
Under direction, provides lead direction and performs the more complex enforcement program assignments; performs related work as assigned. 

Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the advanced lead level in the technical enforcement program specialist series. Incumbents provide lead direction and are assigned the more complex enforcement program specialist assignments in such areas as rule development, program development, training and mutual settlement that require considerable technical knowledge and use of independent judgement. This class is distinguished from the Enforcement Program Supervisor in that the latter assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned enforcement staff. 

About the Position
The Rules and Strategic Policy 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. 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; develop testing and verification procedures; 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.

Below are some of the important air quality programs in which the Rules and Strategic Policy Division staff are actively engaged:.
 

Community Health Protection Program and AB 617
The Community Health Protection Program works with Bay Area communities to plan and implement Assembly Bill 617 (C. Garcia, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017). This collaborative initiative employs proven and innovative strategies to improve community health by reducing exposure to air pollutants in neighborhoods most impacted by air pollution.

Air District staff are working closely with the California Air Resources Board, other local air districts, community groups, community members, environmental organizations, regulated industries, and other key stakeholders to reduce harmful air pollutants. Through the Community Health Protection Program, we are working together to ensure that everyone benefits from our air quality efforts, especially those who live in areas of the San Francisco Bay Area most impacted by air pollution. We welcome and encourage your participation in this effort.

Climate Protection
The Air District launched a Climate Protection Program in 2005, and through this program works with the State of California, regional agencies, and city and county governments through the Bay Area region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus providing a national model for climate leadership.  The Air District is currently working on the first air district level climate protection rules in the Nation.  These rules are aimed at reducing climate pollutants from several sectors, such as landfills, natural gas appliances, and petroleum hydrogen producing facilities.

Particulate Matter Program
Particulate Matter (PM) is the most important health risk driver in Bay Area air quality, both PM2.5 as a criteria pollutant and diesel PM as a toxic air contaminant.  The Air District has a 65-year history of regulating this potent air pollutant.  As impacts in our communities increase with our changing climate, it is important that we continually reassess the health effects of PM2.5.

In fall 2019, the Air District’s Advisory Council began convening a symposium series on PM2.5 to facilitate a discussion among nationally recognized scientists, stakeholders, and the Air District to identify the most effective measures to further protect public health. The symposia shine a spotlight on this public health challenge. The Advisory Council has heard from experts around the country, including members of the disbanded PM Review Committee, as well as industry representatives and local community members and environmental activists who spoke about the lived impacts of exposure to particulate matter. Following these presentations and thoughtful deliberations, the Advisory Council has developed a roadmap to help guide us toward our common goal of a healthier Bay Area. Rule Development staff will be on the forefront of developing rules and programs to implement the Advisory Council’s recommendations for addressing PM2.5 in the Bay Area region.

 
Click here to learn more about the Rules and Strategic Policy Division and the rule development process.

(Illustrative Only)

Provides lead direction, training and work review to technical and support staff, prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion.

Provides input into selection decisions and performance evaluations, and provides for technical development and training.

Coordinates and participates in the development of new programs and revision of existing programs to achieve and maintain enforcement compliance and quality control; researches technical feasibility and new control proposals.

Coordinates and participates in the development, review and approval processes for new and revised rules and regulations, policies and procedures for various enforcement programs.

Reviews and analyzes complex cases, reports and rules for compliance with applicable guidelines; conducts inquiries, researches and compiles files and other pertinent information, and prepares reports and recommendations relative to enforcement programs.

Interfaces with local, state and federal agencies, industry representatives and District staff to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information regarding enforcement programs.

Conducts meetings and workshops with a variety of legal, public and private agency officials to explain and interpret technical policies, rules and regulations regarding enforcement programs.

Participates in meetings, conferences, hearing boards and workshops with public and private agencies; serves on special committees and task forces relating to enforcement activities.

Responds to oral and written requests for technical, operational and administrative information about enforcement programs. 

Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in chemistry, engineering, environmental science or a closely related field and three years of experience in developing and administering environmental enforcement programs. 

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.

How to Apply:

Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and chronological resume by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023. Applications are accepted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply.

Resumes must be attached to the application, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Postmarks, faxes, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
 
Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered or returned.

Supplemental Questions Instructions:

Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Office no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section.

Please limit your responses to no more than 500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.

Selection Criteria:

Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants.

The District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.

Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Office at (415) 749-4980.

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.