Air Quality Specialist; Policy​/Climate​/Energy

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, serving a four-county region that includes Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and the Coachella Valley. 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 $216.5 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 is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique backgrounds, skills, and experiences of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.

The Policy, Climate, Energy, and Incentives unit is in the Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation Division of South Coast AQMD. This unit plays a central role in developing air quality management plans, which are blueprints that shape the policy of the Agency and advance the Agency’s clean air mission. In preparing these plans, the unit’s primary responsibility is to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance for State Implementation Plans.

This entails close coordination with the California Air Resources Board, the Southern California Association of Governments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other public and private agencies.

There is currently one Air Quality Specialist vacancy in the Policy, Climate, Energy, and Incentives unit at the South Coast AQMD. This position provides an exceptional opportunity for early- to mid-career professionals seeking to maximize the real-world impact of their expertise, especially in the field of air pollution policy. The role requires strong analytical and writing skills to develop comprehensive policy documents that meet statutory and regulatory requirements and guidance.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and engage constructively with stakeholders.

Air Quality Specialists in the Policy, Climate, Energy, and Incentives unit at the South Coast AQMD are primarily responsible for:

• Planning
  :
  Developing State Implementation Plans, progress reports, and other planning documents to meet federal and state air quality standards and Clean Air Act requirements.
• Research and Analysis
  :
  Reviewing federal and state laws and regulations to evaluate requirements and ensure compliance with them.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  :
  Hosting public meetings, preparing presentations, and conducting stakeholder outreach.
• Climate Policy
  :
  Supporting the integration of climate and energy policies into air quality planning efforts.

The general example of duties for this classification is 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…