Job Details

Air Quality Specialist I/II Compliance and Enforcement Division

The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency committed to achieving clean air to protect the publics 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 Districts jurisdiction encompasses all seven counties Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa and portions of two others southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

About this Position

Under general supervision the Air Quality Specialist within the Compliance and Enforcement Division is a field?inspection position that conducts a variety of tasks to ensure that stationary sources of air pollution in the Air Districts jurisdiction comply with applicable federal, state and Air District air?quality rules and regulations. Duties include conducting field inspections, excess and breakdown investigations, Title V deviations, public nuisance and complaint investigations at residential units and at different types of commercial and/or industrial facilities; using a variety of methods to determine compliance with applicable air?quality rules and regulations; interfacing with technical and professional staff of the Air District, industry and other agencies; providing information and assistance to complainants and businesses regarding Air District regulations/authority and permit policies and procedures; preparing a variety of written communications, including detailed technical reports, compliance case summaries, Notice of Violation and Reportable Compliance Activity reports; and performing other assigned work.

Position is not eligible for remote work from home.

Definition

Under direction, performs a variety of professional?level technical and administrative duties in the areas of inspection, investigation, air monitoring instrument and equipment operation, air?quality planning, rule development, enforcement and compliance operations, and other air?quality program areas; performs related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Air Quality Specialist I is the journey?level class in the series. Incumbents are fully proficient to perform the full range of activities, with assignments of moderate difficulty. This class is alternately staffed with Air Quality Specialist II and incumbents may advance to the higher?level classification after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher?level class.

Air Quality Specialist II is the advanced journey?level class. Incumbents exercise more independent judgment, initiative and decision making, and are responsible for assignments requiring a higher degree of working knowledge, ability and initiative with minimal day?to?day supervision. Incumbents may provide training and technical guidance to staff. This class is distinguished from Senior Air Quality Specialist in that the latter provides lead direction and is responsible for more complex work.

Examples of Duties

General duties:

• Help develop new and revise existing air?quality programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to achieve air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions reductions and reduce public exposure to air pollutants.


• Research technical feasibility and new control proposals for new or revised rules.


• Develop plans and documentation for the measurement, quality control and quality assurance, and analysis of emissions and air?quality data.


• Extract, analyze and ensure the quality of data, including devices/operations that emit air pollution, emissions, greenhouse gas, facilities and meteorological data; prepare graphs, charts, statistical summaries and reports from data; and assist in more complex studies.


• Review and develop recommendations concerning air?quality and greenhouse gas reports, programs, plans, legislation and regulations and prepare related reports and correspondence.


• Administer air?quality programs, including the revision of plans and recommending resolution of problem situations.


• Calculate emissions reductions, assess emissions inventories, conduct economic impact analyses and perform other technical work.


• Confere with industry representatives, Air District staff, the public and other agencies to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information.


• Draft, review and analyze air?quality and greenhouse gas reports and other documents; conduct inquiries, compile and research information.


• Review and summarize data, prepare special and periodic reports and monitor effectiveness of Air District programs.


• Research and study air?quality and climate issues.


• Draft, implement, recommend and revise forms, webpages and other program tools.


• Maintain data and data systems supporting Air District programs.


• Respond to oral and written requests for technical, operational and administrative information about air?quality programs; explain and interpret technical policies, rules and regulations.


• Prepare and coordinate technical and safety program training for Air District staff; develop and coordinate training aids and materials; conduct staff training; monitor training needs for staff.


• Interact and represent the Air District with industry, attorneys, the public and other agencies.


• Organize and participate in workshops and meetings; provide consultation and advice to individuals and businesses in matters related to the area of expertise.


• Prepare technical reports and policy documents and give presentations on Air District projects, including to staff, executives, board members and community groups and other external stakeholders; brief executives and board members.


• Maintain detailed technical records, standard operating procedures and logbooks to comply with regulatory guidelines.


• Administer the records management program.


• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Representative Duties (by program area)

• Conduct commercial and industrial inspections and investigations of petroleum refineries, power plants, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, toxic and hazardous materials operations and complicated industrial operations.


• Conduct compliance inspections on facilities designated as sources of air pollution within an assigned geographical area within established guidelines and time frames; determine compliance with applicable regulations; verify permit status.


• Conduct on?site inspections of manufacturing, industrial, commercial and agricultural operations and their compliance to ensure adherence to air?quality standards and regulations; may call for laboratory tests of site emissions.


• Review and coordinate inspections to determine and ensure consistent technical application and interpretation of new and revised rules and regulations; participate in developing and testing new inspection and complaint investigation methods and techniques.


• Issue notices of violation to sources found in violation of compliance; prepare necessary documentation for violation notice reports.


• Monitor inspection?generated enforcement data for accuracy and validity and coordinate emission data audits.


• Use a variety of monitoring equipment and instrumentation to measure and evaluate various emissions and particulates; maintain and calibrate these devices for integrity and consistency of inspection.


• Respond and investigate complaints by citizens of air pollution problems; determine nature and extent of problem; take representative samples of various materials for laboratory analysis; prepare documentation of findings; consult with citizens on status of complaint.


• Conduct grid surveillance to detect permit and emissions violations; ensure that all potential air pollution sources are identified for future monitoring and abatement.


• Conduct chemical and plume evaluation tests and record findings; take photographs for documentation at inspection sites.


• Interface with technical personnel at facilities regarding plant source emissions, solvent usage, permit status and compliance status with Air District rules and regulations; explain compliance options to industry when a violation occurs.


• Provide information and assistance to businesses and the public regarding Air District regulations and authority, permit policies and procedures.


• Coordinate with other governmental agencies regarding investigation of complex community air pollution exposures, such as highly toxic spills.


• Prepare a variety of written communications, including detailed technical reports, compliance guidance memoranda and case summaries used for office conferences and hearing board sessions; complete inspection forms on all inspections completed.


• Interact with laboratory staff regarding analysis of samples taken in the field.


• Represent the Air District before the Hearing Board or courts regarding violations of applicable regulations; represent the Air District with technical personnel, other governmental agencies and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from a four?year college or university with major coursework in chemistry, computer science, electronics, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, physical sciences, physics or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Air Quality Specialist I: Two (2) years of experience performing duties equivalent to the Air Districts Assistant Air Quality Specialist II, including performing air?quality inspections; installing, operating and maintaining air?monitoring and quality assessment instruments and equipment; or developing and administering air?quality programs.


• Air Quality Specialist II: Four (4) years of experience performing air?quality inspections; installing, operating and maintaining air?monitoring and quality assessment instruments and equipment, or developing and administering air?quality programs, of which at least two (2) years included performing work equivalent to the Air Districts Air Quality Specialist I.

Substitution: Any combination of relevant training and work experience in the listed or related fields may substitute for the educational criteria on a year?for?year basis.

Additional Requirements

Company vehicle will be provided for business use and must be taken home daily. Employee will be responsible for maintaining the vehicle per the District Vehicle Policy.

Must pass a physical exam and meet the requirements of a lift test for occasional physical duties.

Candidate must reside in California or relocate to California prior to start date. Relocation expenses are not covered.

How to Apply & Selection Criteria

Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application, chronological resume and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Applications are accepted online at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs. Resumes must be included and cannot be substituted for required application materials. Postmarked, faxed or e?mails will not be accepted.

Applicants must respond to each supplemental question; responses will be used in accordance with the selection criteria in the vacancy announcement. Only completed applications will be considered.

Applicants will be screened and may be invited to interview based on qualifications.

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.

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.