AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST I/II

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District/BAAQMD) 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 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 conducting a recruitment for the position of Air Quality Specialist I/II in the Compliance and Enforcement Division.

About this Position:

Under general supervision, the Air Quality Specialist position within the Compliance and Enforcement Division conducts a variety of field tasks to ensure that stationary sources of air pollution within the Air District's 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 specialized work, as assigned.

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 Air Quality Specialist 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 which meet the qualifications of the higher-level class.

Air Quality Specialist II is the advanced journey-level class of this series. Incumbents are expected to 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.

(Illustrative Only)

General duties:

Helps to develop new, and revises existing air quality programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to achieve air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and reduce the public exposure to air pollutants; researches technical feasibility and new control proposals for new or revised rules.

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

Extracts, analyzes and ensures the quality of data, including, but not limited to, devices/operations that emit air pollution, emissions, greenhouse gas, facilities, and meteorological data; prepares graphs, charts, statistical summaries, and reports from data; and may assist in more complex studies.

Reviews and develops recommendations concerning air quality and greenhouse gas reports, programs, plans, legislation and regulations and prepares related reports and correspondence.

Administers air quality programs, including the revision of plans and recommending resolution of problem situations.

May calculate emissions reductions and assess emissions inventories, conduct economic impacts analyses, and perform other technical work.

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

Drafts, reviews and analyzes air quality and greenhouse gas reports and other documents; conducts inquiries, compiles and researches information.

Reviews and summarizes data, prepares special and periodic reports and monitors effectiveness of Air District programs.

Researches and studies air quality and climate issues.

Drafts, implements, recommends and revises forms, webpages, and other program tools.

Maintains data and data systems supporting Air District programs.

Responds to oral and written requests for technical, operational and administrative information about air quality programs; explains and interprets technical policies, rules and regulations.

Prepares and coordinates technical and safety program training for Air District staff; develops and coordinates training aids and materials; may conduct staff training; monitors training needs for staff.

Interacts and represents the Air District with industry, attorneys, the public and other agencies.

Organizes and participates in workshops and meetings, and provide consultation and advice to individuals and businesses in matters related to area of expertise.

Prepares technical reports and policy documents and gives presentations on Air District projects, including Air District staff, executives, board members, and community groups and other external stakeholders; briefs executives and board members.

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

Administers the records management program.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Representative Duties (by program area)

Some positions in this classification may be assigned to one or several program areas; an exhaustive list of program-area specific duties is not provided.

In addition to the duties listed above, the following duties (illustrative only) may be performed for positions in the select program areas:

Compliance and Enforcement

Conducts commercial and industrial inspections and investigations such as, but not limited to, petroleum refineries, power plants, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, toxic and hazardous materials operations and complicated industrial operations.

Conducts compliance inspections on facilities designated as sources of air pollution within an assigned geographical area within established guidelines and time frames; makes determinations of compliance with applicable regulations; verifies permit status.

Conducts 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.

Reviews and coordinates inspections to determine and ensure the consistent technical application and interpretation of new and revised rules and regulations; participates in developing and testing new inspection and complaint investigation methods and techniques.

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

Monitors inspection generated enforcement data for accuracy and validity and coordinates emission data audits.

Uses a variety of monitoring equipment and instrumentation to measure and evaluate various emissions and particulates; maintains and calibrates these devices for integrity and consistency of inspection.

Responds and investigates complaints by citizens of air pollution problems; determines nature and extent of problem; takes representative samples of various materials for laboratory analysis; prepares documentation of findings; consults with citizens on status of complaint.

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

Conducts chemical and plume evaluation tests and record findings; takes photographs for documentation at inspection sites.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's 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.

AND

Experience:

Air Quality Specialist I: Two (2) years of experience performing duties equivalent to the Air District's 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 District's Air Quality Specialist I.

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

How to Apply:
Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application, chronological resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire. Applications are accepted online. Please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply or to download an application. Resumes must be included, and not 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. Applicants submitting paper applications must also complete an official BAAQMD application.

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

Instructions: Please limit your responses to one page 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. Please be advised that the information you provide will be evaluated "as is" and may be used to determine applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training who will continue in the selection process; incomplete or illegible applications will likely receive lower ratings.

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.