Senior Air Quality Specialist (Meteorology and Measurement) chez Bay Area Air District

About the Department

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) 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.  

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated and your growth is nurtured.  

 
The Air District is currently conducting an open recruitment for the position of Senior Air Quality Specialist in the Meteorology and Measurement Division. This is an open recruitment for two (2) full-time, represented positions. 
  
The Meteorology and Measurement Division supports the mission of the Air District by monitoring air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area, forecasting regional and local air quality, and conducting and supporting community organizations to do community-scale air monitoring to guide actions to reduce emissions in the Bay Area and in neighborhoods most impacted by air pollution.

About this Position:
Air Monitoring Projects and Technology (AMPT) is a section in the Meteorology and Measurement Division. Our team performs community air quality investigations using air monitoring vans and other equipment to assess air quality at local scales, particularly in disproportionally impacted communities. AMPT is also building a new team centered around developing, constructing, and operating multi-pollutant, ambient air monitoring stations in communities near refineries.

Including some administrative responsibilities, such as assisting with purchasing and maintaining the inventory of shop supplies, Senior Air Quality Specialists (Senior AQS) in the section help evaluate monitoring methods, test and install instrumentation and sampling systems, support monitoring activities, review data, and leading quality assurance to meet program requirements and community expectations. Depending on the program assignment, the Senior AQS may also assist with data collection activities in the air monitoring vans or leading onsite work as the team builds out new air monitoring stations in communities near refineries.

DEFINITION

Under direction, provides lead direction and performs the more complex assignments 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

This is the advanced lead level in the Air Quality Specialist series. Incumbents provide lead direction and are assigned the more complex air quality program assignments that require considerable technical knowledge and use of independent judgement. Incumbents develop and provide in-depth training and technical guidance to employees. This class is distinguished from the Supervising Air Quality Specialist in that the latter assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff. This class is also distinguished from the Principal Air Quality Specialist in that the latter has more responsibilities for developing new programs and handling the most difficult, sensitive, novel, or critical projects.

Position Duties

(Illustrative Only)

General Duties:

Provides lead direction, training and work review to technical and support staff; prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion.

Reviews and analyzes complex cases, reports and rules for compliance with applicable guidelines; conducts inquiries, researches and compiles files and other pertinent information, and prepares reports and recommendations relative to Air District programs.

Leads technical and safety program training for Air District staff; develops and coordinates training aids and materials; leads staff training; monitors training needs for staff.

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

Maintains data and data systems supporting Air District programs. 

Provides lead oversight on complex regulatory audits, field investigations and studies.

Provides input into hiring selection decisions and performance evaluations.

Coordinates and participates in the development of new programs and revision of existing programs; conducts technical research feasibility and new control proposals.

Coordinates and participates in the development, review and approval processes for new and revised rules and regulations, policies and procedures for various programs.

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

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

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

Prepares and makes presentations on air quality and climate protection related programs and projects. 

Interacts and represents the Air District with industry, attorneys, the public and other agencies; provides technical expertise to Air District staff and counsel and to industry, the public and other agencies.

Conducts meetings and workshops with a variety of legal, public and private agency officials to explain and interpret technical policies, rules and regulations regarding Air District programs.

Participates in meetings, conferences, hearing boards and workshops with public and private agencies; serves on special committees and task forces.

Responds to oral and written requests for technical, operational and administrative information about Air District programs. 

Briefs Air District executives and present at public workshops and board meetings.

Works closely with other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders.

Provides technical development and training.

Administers the records management program.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Meteorology and Measurement

Evaluates performance of analytical instrumentation to ensure compliance with District, state and federal standards.

Installs, operates, maintains, calibrates, and repairs air monitoring, and meteorological or source test equipment and instrumentation. Evaluates instrument performance, troubleshoots malfunctioning equipment and replaces or repairs parts. 

Operates field computers, computer hardware/software, databases, telecommunications, and data devices in stand-alone and networked data acquisition systems and troubleshoots these systems when errors or malfunctions occur. 

Oversees data evaluation, enters data into computerized database, and responds to technical data requests, either orally or in writing. 

Maintains detailed technical records, standard operating procedures, and logbooks. 

Develops and implements operational, analytical, and technical methods and procedures. Analyzes technical work processes and writes Standard Operating Procedures. 

Performs acceptance testing of new and repaired scientific/analytical instrumentation. 

Performs quality control functions on air monitoring or source test equipment and calibrations in conformance with District, state, and federal standards. Coordinates and tracks the certifications of reference standards used in the section. 

Develops and recommends improved sampling techniques and modifications to equipment and tests modifications to equipment. Provides fabrication support for development and construction of monitoring platforms. 

Coordinates and oversees in-section safety programs. 

Coordinates the purchasing, replenishment, and inventory tracking of all spare components, supplies and consumables. 

Works with the data management team to ensure that data systems meet the needs of the Air District in compliance with local, state and federal regulations for the storage, processing, and transmittal of regulatory data. 

Conducts mobile, or portable or stationary, source-oriented monitoring. Prepares and collects various samples of ambient air or source test pollutants at air monitoring and stationary sites.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Theories, principles and practices of air quality measurements or inspection and enforcement, including environmental research and analysis.

Applicable Air District, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

Basic legal principles of civil prosecution, particularly as they relate to environmental enforcement.

Basic principles of engineering, chemistry, physics and biology as they relate to air quality programs.

Industrial processes and equipment used in air pollution control.

Common biological, chemical and physical processes that cause air pollution and their long and short-term impacts and effects.

General principles of data quality and control. 

Industrial practices and techniques to modify production processes and equipment to reduce emissions.

Record-keeping and reporting principles and practices.

General principles of records management.

Skill in:

Planning, assigning, directing and reviewing the work of others.

Training others in work procedures.

Directing, developing and administering effective air quality programs.

Analyzing technical air pollution problems, evaluating alternative solutions and developing effective recommendations.

Analyzing and interpreting technical and legal rules, policies and procedures.

Reading and understanding technical engineering diagrams and processes.

Preparing clear and concise technical reports, correspondence, presentations, and other written materials.

Negotiating settlements tactfully and effectively.

Communicating technical and non-technical information orally and in writing to various audiences.

Exercising sound independent judgement within established guidelines.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Education and Experience:

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:

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 II.

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.

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with such technologies as semi-real-time gas chromatography (GC), x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), and/or proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) is highly desirable.
• Experience working with meteorological and ambient air monitoring data to ensure performance of instrumentation is desirable.
• Experience with R and other programming languages is desirable.
• Ability to safely operate large vehicles for extended periods of time (up to 5-6 hours in a day) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of environmental justice principles is desirable.

Other Qualifications

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.

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.