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Job 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 THE JOB
We are recruiting for Air Quality Specialists in our Technology Advancement Office (TAO). From this recruitment process, we expect to establish an eligible list from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the life of the list. We anticipate filling two immediate vacancies, one in each of the two units. The primary responsibility of these positions will be to support activities within two units/groups of the TAO: On-Road Incentives, Contracts & Outreach and Technology Demonstration. In each case, these positions will also work in collaboration with other governmental agencies, the public, private institutions, and environmental and community organizations to identify and evaluate clean technologies and equipment, discuss their potential applications, and serve as subject-matter experts in these fields. Specific roles and responsibilities of each of these groups are reported below. Successful candidates will be assigned to the unit/group that is more appropriate to their background, training, and work experience.
On-Road Incentives, Contracts & Outreach: The primary responsibility of this Air Quality Specialist position is to support the activities to successfully implement the mobile source and infrastructure incentive programs administered by South Coast AQMD. The incentive programs can include, but not limited to, Carl Moyer, Proposition 1B Goods Movement, Port Kickstart, EPA DERA, EPA CPRG, and Clean Cars for All. Daily activities may include technical evaluation of project applications, emission reduction calculations, contract management, project tracking, grant proposal preparation, and working with large datasets to prepare statistics and reporting. The successful candidate will work in collaboration with scientists, equipment owners, manufacturers, and other governmental agencies to streamline and improve the incentive programs to effectively meet their goals. The candidate will also work with the Information Management team to develop the Grant Management System (GMS) for efficient project and data management. Additionally, the Air Quality Specialist will assist in the planning and execution of outreach strategies for all incentive programs in the Technology Advancement Office.
Technology Demonstration: The primary responsibility of the individual hired for this position will be to support a wide range of activities within Technology Demonstration, leading the technology advancement and commercialization efforts to achieve significant NOx reductions and accelerate deployment of clean fuel technologies. Within the Technology Demonstration unit, the successful candidate will work with others to support a portfolio of clean technologies at different technology readiness levels to develop new technologies across many mobile sectors for emission reductions and health benefits to achieve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and will be required to conduct extensive outreach and evaluate several factors such as current and projected economic costs and cost effectiveness of emission reductions associated with the transition to clean technologies and equipment, potential health effects, and other factors. The AQ Specialist will be required to make recommendations on co-funding and administering research and development, demonstration and early deployment pre-commercial on-/off-road mobile/stationary technologies and equipment including battery/hydrogen fuel cell electric medium-/heavy-duty vehicles and supporting charging/fueling infrastructure, clean fuels and emissions characterization studies, clean energy storage and charging micro-grids applications, zero-/near zero-emission locomotives, ocean-going vessels, port and construction equipment, which helps South Coast AQMD make progress towards achieving NAAQS. More details about this program can be found at: https://www.aqmd.gov/home/technology/research-development-and-demontration
Duties for these positions may include, but are not limited to:- Planning and implementing mobile source emission reduction programs and projects
- Conducting research and analysis of complex technical issues with emphasis on mobile sources, alternative fuels, zero emission technologies and supporting infrastructure
- Working closely with staff at the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Department of Energy, U.S. EPA, as well as academia and private entities, including OEMs and technology providers
- Research, development, demonstration and deployment of low-emitting on- and off-road technologies and associated infrastructure through SCAQMD's Clean Fuels Fund and other similar programs
- Working independently in areas of project and contract management
- Evaluation and selection of projects based on various criteria and managing projects and data related to funded programs
- Helping implement and oversee grant funded projects
- Writing Board letters, contracts and grant proposals
- Serving as a subject-matter expert in various low-emitting on- and off-road technologies and associated infrastructure, including related regulatory requirements
- Representing the agency at public meetings, workshops, bidder's conferences, technical conferences, outreach/community meetings, and other events by providing oral presentations, incentive program information, written reports, position papers, graphs, charts, and statistical summaries
- Working in close collaboration with other members of the technology demonstration team and/or technology implementation team
- Perform various other staff work unique to the unit to which assigned.
Air Quality Specialist is the experienced, journey-level class in the professional air pollution control series. Incumbents perform the more responsible, varied, and complex work. Air Quality Specialist is distinguished from the next higher class of Program Supervisor in that the incumbents of the latter class either supervise a unit of professional and technical employees or are responsible for the development and oversight of specific programs involving more independent and complex professional work.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
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:
Knowledge of:- Relevant federal and State laws and South Coast AQMD environmental rules, regulations, and programs affecting mobile sources
- Commercially viable mobile source emission reduction technologies including low-emission and zero-emission technologies and supporting infrastructure
- Principles of mathematics as applied to mobile source emissions
- Budgeting, project management, grant administration, and organizational skills
- Contracting/invoicing/grant processes and outreach efforts to effectively manage projects on zero emission and low-emitting technologies
- Experience with advanced technology, zero- and near-zero emission on- and off-road vehicles and stationary equipment
- Ability to communicate incentive program requirements with outside stakeholders
Ability to:- Cultivate and expand networks of peers and technology and regulatory experts
- Provide technical expertise in mobile source emission analyses, including the use of spreadsheets, databases, and other statistical software
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Gather and analyze complex data and prepare succinct and easy to understand reports and recommendations geared to different audiences, including South Coast AQMD management, agencies, technical experts, and community members
- Work independently and lead and collaborate with others under extremely aggressive timelines
- Discuss controversial issues and concerns raised by special interest groups, community members, and other members of the public to diplomatically and persuasively influence and negotiate win-win agreements and discover points of consensus
- Demonstrate an employment history of increasingly responsible positions and successful completion of related complex technical assignments, with strong project management and grant administration experience, and ability to work independently and collaboratively within the Technology Demonstration team.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
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:
AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST:
Two years of technical air quality or professional analytical experience that would demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position to which assigned.
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: 5/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific - Planning and implementing mobile source emission reduction programs and projects
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Show moreSouth 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 all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, 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 750 employees, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.
Mission
To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.
What is the South Coast AQMD?
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.
Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.
What South Coast AQMD Does
South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences. The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.
How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution
South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards. Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products. Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe. South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.
South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue
To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.
Progress So Far
Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.
In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.
The Job Ahead
The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.
State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned. South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard. This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous. Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.
The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago. With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.
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