Assistant Air Quality Specialist (CEQA)

Job Description:

Assistant Air Quality Specialist (CEQA)

Description

SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW

South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!

South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

This recruitment is to establish an eligible list from which we expect to fill current and future Assistant Air Quality Specialist vacancies, requiring a similar background, during the life of the list.

This list may be used to fill vacancies in the CEQA and CEQA/Intergovernmental Review (CEQA/IGR) units of the Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation division. (CEQA is the acronym for California Environmental Quality Act.)

The primary responsibility of the CEQA unit is to conduct environmental evaluations which involve preparing and/or reviewing various air quality analyses and health risk assessments, reviewing and/or performing air quality modeling and emission calculations, writing CEQA documents for South Coast AQMD rule development and other lead agency projects such as the Air Quality Management Plan, and overseeing the preparation of CEQA documents for air permit projects where the South Coast AQMD is the lead agency or responsible agency.

The primary responsibility of the CEQA/IGR unit is to review the air quality analysis of CEQA documents prepared by other public agencies to verify that the analysis is conducted consistent with South Coast AQMD policies for analyzing localized and regional air quality impacts, toxics impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions from proposed projects. Responsibilities may also include the assisting with the preparation of CEQA documents where the South Coast AQMD is the lead agency or responsible agency.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Specialized duties for Assistant Air Quality Specialists in the CEQA and CEQA/IGR units include, but may not be limited to:

• Conducting or overseeing the preparation of CEQA documents that contain an evaluation capable of withstanding legal challenges, by performing complex technical analyses of all potential environmental impacts from a project and making conclusions of significance, and identifying feasible mitigation measures and project alternatives, as applicable.
• Reviewing air quality impacts in CEQA documents prepared by other public agencies, which includes performing and reviewing emissions calculations for stationary and mobile sources to ensure emissions calculations and health risk assessments are using the correct methodologies and applying the applicable CEQA air quality significance thresholds and mitigation measures.
• Performing a variety of professional-level assignments in the development, formulation and review of data analyses, reports, plans, assessments, and strategies.
• Working with staff to prepare notices within the required deadlines and conducting meetings with internal and external stakeholders as part of the CEQA process.
• Preparing written comments on the air quality analysis in CEQA documents and providing oral testimony at public hearings.
• Conducting and reviewing emissions calculations and air quality modeling using AERMOD, HARP2, CalEEMod, EMFAC and OFFROAD for CEQA documents, permitting, health risk assessments and compliance plans; and/or grid-based chemical transport modeling.
• Preparing and reviewing AERMOD-ready meteorological data using AERMET.
• Interacting with regulated industry and reviewing their air pollution emissions inventories, health risk assessments and risk reduction strategies.
• Analyzing information and data leading to the preparation of written documents, such as findings and recommendations, plans, reports, policy papers, rule drafts, comment letters, and other supporting documents.
• Working collaboratively with stakeholders from industry, environmental and community groups, other agencies, and staff from other South Coast AQMD divisions.
• Preparing meeting materials and giving oral presentations.
• Performing other staff work unique to the assigned unit.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:

The Assistant Air Quality Specialist is the entry-level class in the professional air pollution control series. Incumbents perform assignments within established guidelines to develop sufficient knowledge and further experience for advancement to the Air Quality Specialist level. Initiative and judgment are required to perform air quality evaluations, analyses, planning and rule development activities, and other assignments.

The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to the job description linked here

Works with engineers, planners, other environmental professionals, Information Management staff, and other personnel to develop and implement methods and techniques for the analysis and evaluation of air quality studies and plans.

Applies mathematical, statistical, and engineering modeling and analytical techniques to the analysis of research and survey data; prepares graphs, charts, and statistical summaries from derived data; determines appropriate data collection methods for use in research projects; and may assist in determining methods for more complex studies.

Assists in developing or develops recommendations concerning air quality management programs, plans, and rules and prepares related reports and correspondence.

Assists in preparing technical analyses and recommended positions on proposed and pending legislation relating to air quality management.

MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications that follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will also possess the following:

• Training and experience that demonstrates proficient knowledge of South Coast AQMD, California and federal air quality regulations.
• Working knowledge of CEQA Guidelines, South Coast AQMD CEQA practices and significance thresholds, and CEQA case law.
• Training and directly-related experience with writing CEQA documents and conducting air quality modeling and health risk assessments and any other transferable experience that is related to job duties in the CEQA units.
• Ability to research and review complex air quality issues and technical documents and make recommendations, including the use of analytical skills to substantiate findings and conclusions when providing comments on other agencies’ environmental analysis in CEQA documents.
• Knowledge and ability to calculate on-road, off-road, and stationary source criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminant emissions. Familiarity with AERMOD, HARP2, CalEEMod, EMFAC, and OFFROAD and the ability to review and/or conduct air dispersion modeling of criteria pollutant and toxic air contaminants.
• Knowledge of and experience with developing, preparing and/or reviewing localized and regional air quality analyses and use of computer tools and models and application programs used in these analyses including, but not limited to, AERMOD, HARP2, CalEEMod, EMFAC, and OFFROAD.
• Familiarity with feasible mitigation measures to reduce significant adverse air quality impacts from construction and operation activities.
• Exceptional oral presentation and written communication skills. Proven ability to make presentations and effectively communicate South Coast AQMD staff’s comments and potential air quality impacts at meetings, workshops, and public hearings. Ability to provide clear and concise comment letters and oral testimony at public hearings, city councils, and planning commissions.
• Familiarity with South Coast AQMD guidelines for preparing Health Risk Assessments.
• Familiarity with stationary and mobile sources of emissions and air pollution control options and technologies.
• Familiarity with federal conformity requirements, and South Coast AQMD rules and regulations including, but not limited to, Rule 403, Rule 1166, Rule 1466, and Rule 1403.
• Skill with related computer applications and tools for data analysis, research, mapping and report preparation.
• Experience working with agencies including, but not limited to, other air districts, U.S. EPA, California Air Resources Board, Department of Toxic Substances Control, and/or local government agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple projects and shifting and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, or the physical, social, or biological sciences, depending upon the functions of the assigned unit.

EXPERIENCE:No experience is required.

KNOWLEDGE OF: One or more professional disciplines, such as chemistry, toxics, statistics, economics, environmental planning, or engineering, with emphasis on its relationship to planning, rule development, or engineering activities; principles, methods, and procedures of environmental review, planning, rule development, or air quality monitoring, including related instrumentation; air quality regulations and review process; air quality modeling; emissions calculations; PC software applications commonly used in the field; research methods and techniques, including statistical and computer applications for data analysis; professional report writing; and State, federal, and local programs, guidelines, and code regulations related to air quality management.

SKILL OR ABILITY TO: Compile, analyze, and interpret technical air quality data; learn and apply District air quality regulations to stationary and mobile source monitoring; monitor and evaluate the performance of consultants; oversee stationary and mobile source monitoring projects under minimum supervision; maintain accurate records of air quality planning, research, monitoring, or rule development projects and prepare clear and persuasive reports and recommendations; represent South Coast AQMD interests at public, professional, and internal meetings and communicate with a variety of technical and professional air quality and legal staff; maintain current knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local regulations and technical or scientific developments; provide expert testimony, advice, and counsel in a specialized field; apply appropriate computer-based analytical techniques to complex air pollution control problems; develop new techniques and approaches to the solution of complex air pollution control problems; proficiently use PC and mainframe software applications common to the field and to the general business environment of the South Coast AQMD; read, understand, and follow verbal and written directions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:
A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question. Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers .An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application* .
*You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application . At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.

Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application packets, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to a multiple-choice examination, to be rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates who pass the exam will advance to the next step in the process, which may include a panel interview. (Please note that all assessments will be conducted remotely).

Following the assessment process, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which the current vacancy may be filled, during the 6-12-month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.)

Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that decisions regarding sponsorship for maintaining a right to work in the United States are made on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to participate in this recruitment process, but there is no guarantee that a job offer with the requested sponsorship will be made to you.

South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

Monthly Benefit Allotment

$1,912, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.

Medical Health Plans

Blue Shield PPO

Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)

Blue Shield HMO

Kaiser HMO

Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)

Dental Plans

Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)

Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)

DeltaCare (PMI) Dental

Vision Plan

EyeMed - Optional

Life Insurance

$10,000 Term Life Insurance

(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP is available to all employees and their familiels at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Optional

Section 125

Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)

Work Schedule

Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday

Vacation

80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years

Holidays

13 paid holidays per year

Sick Leave

100 hours per year

Other Leaves

Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness

Tuition Reimbursement

Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)

Optional (Employee may contribute up to the IRS maximum). South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar up to $300 per year for the regular plan.

Retirement

2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.

03/01/2024

Closing Date/Time: 6/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$80,033.56 - $110,526.56 Annually