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 800 employees, an annual budget of $196.3 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!
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment will be open from March 8, 2024 through April 30, 2024. However, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the application period may close at any time. The first round of application review will take place the week of April 30, 2024. All candidates hired will be required to attend a multi-week New Inspector Training course tentatively scheduled to begin in July 2024 at South Coast AQMD Headquarters in Diamond Bar. Once completed, inspectors can be assigned to a work area in any city within South Coast AQMD’s four-county jurisdiction.
ABOUT THE JOB OF INSPECTOR South Coast AQMD is committed to protecting the health and safety of the residents of the South Coast Air Basin through an extensive and robust enforcement program. Our inspectors are responsible for inspecting businesses and other sources of air pollution to evaluate compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, permit requirements, and state and federal laws. The types of facilities that our enforcement teams inspect include large power plants and refineries; industrial, commercial, and manufacturing operations of all sizes; retail gasoline service stations; landfills and waste disposal facilities; demolition and construction sites; and portable engines and equipment. Inspectors also respond to public complaints, participate in responses to air quality incidents, and conduct many different types of investigative activities.
Conducting inspections and investigations of commercial and industrial processes (which may involve climbing ladders) and investigating emission release points on building rooftops or equipment stacks; operating and maintaining monitoring equipment to evaluate the presence of emissions; using a respirator and other personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, hard hats, safety shoes, or protective suits; identifying instances of noncompliance with air pollution rules and regulations, permit requirements, and state and federal laws - and taking appropriate and consistent enforcement action when necessary; issuing notices to sources found to be in noncompliance; educating owners and operators of commercial and industrial sources about achieving and maintaining compliance; informing and educating the community about South Coast AQMD’s compliance program and air quality complaint reporting system; responding to and investigating public complaints of air contaminants; analyzing and determining the cause and nature of air contaminant emissions; observing emissions testing of sources; documenting findings and preparing detailed reports on inspections and investigations; developing recommendations regarding new or proposed rules; preparing materials for and conducting training classes; assisting in the preparation of cases and providing testimony before South Coast AQMD's Hearing Board; providing testimony in court on civil and criminal air pollution cases; representing South Coast AQMD and OCE at meetings, conferences, and public and private agency meetings and responding to inquires; and performing other related duties assigned.
Inspectors are assigned South Coast AQMD vehicles that they take home and use for work-related travel to and from their work location and/or facilities within their assigned geographic areas. Inspectors may be assigned to work in any area at any time within South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction.
CAREER PATH: Air Quality Inspector I is the entry-level class in the agency’s Inspector classification series. Persons in this class receive extensive training to perform routine inspections and complaint investigations and will progress to more difficult assignments while acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge for promotion to the next level.
Following two years of successful performance as an Air Quality Inspector I, employees who have demonstrated readiness for promotion to the next level may be promoted without competition to Air Quality Inspector II. A bachelor's degree may substitute for six months of the required two years of experience for this promotion. There are other higher-level classifications in the Inspector job series and promotion to these positions is through a competitive process.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Conducts rule specific inspections and complaint investigations of commercial and industrial equipment, machines, control devices, materials, and processes to determine compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations.
Issues notices to owners and operators of commercial and industrial sources to ensure compliance with air pollution laws, regulations and rules.
Analyzes and determines the cause and nature of air contaminant emissions; coordinates the physical testing of sources and reinspects sources found in non-compliance.
Prepares various reports to record the findings of inspections and complaint investigation activities; assists or develops recommendations on the implementation, effectiveness and enforceability of new or proposed air pollution rules.
Learns and applies a variety of inspections and investigation methods and techniques on petroleum and industrial equipment and processes that require the knowledge, interpretation and application of a variety of laws, regulations, and rules in determining compliance.
Assists in the preparation of Hearing Board cases or recommends variance conditions to ensure compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations.
Provides testimony in court or administrative hearings on civil and criminal air pollution cases when requested. Works closely with South Coast AQMD engineers and legal counsel in resolving a variety of air pollution problems.
Represents South Coast AQMD and Division at meetings, conferences and public and private agency meetings and responds to inquiries; provides information on South Coast AQMD rules, regulations, and procedures as necessary.
May assist in the training and provide technical guidance to new personnel.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to the Minimum Qualifications that follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will also possess the following:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or a related field is highly desirable and may be used as one of the criteria in determining which candidates are most competitively qualified for these positions.
- Experience that is sufficiently similar (i.e., shows you learned/applied directly transferable skills) may also be seen as more highly competitive than unrelated experience; however, recent graduates who possess directly related degrees will be considered. A record of steady employment and/or good educational record is also important with grades in core coursework at a "C" level or above.
- The ability to analyze emission sources, recognize problems, and determine compliance with air quality regulations.
- The ability to learn and understand complex technical information and related rules and regulations and then communicate this information to a highly diverse public in clear and simple English, as is the ability to interact effectively with concerned business owners and the public, even under challenging circumstances, using active listening skills, patience and diplomacy.
- Possess strong personal and work ethics (which will be evaluated through the interview process and by checking professional references).
- The ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing. Bilingual skills are always a plus!
- The ability to climb ladders and conduct inspections on rooftops, as well as the ability to carry and use portable monitoring and sampling equipment in the field, is important for this job. Inspectors may be required to use respirators.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Training and experience which would demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply inspection methods and techniques to air pollution emission control equipment and processes; knowledge of engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and physics principles and concepts; knowledge of commercial and industrial equipment and processes; South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations; and safety and hazardous practices and procedures.
Ability to learn, interpret and apply South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations to equipment, processes, and materials to determine compliance with air quality standards; analyze and inspect equipment and processes and prepare reports and other supporting information; communicate in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing; understand and follow verbal and written instructions; maintain and establish effective working relationships with public and private agency representatives, members of the public, and South Coast AQMD personnel; operate and maintain a variety of equipment, detectors, and sampling devices.
Evidence of the required knowledges, skills and abilities will be demonstrated by the completion of at least 34 semester (51 quarter) units of core courses from an accredited college or university required for a major in engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics or a related field, OR one year of experience as an Air Quality Inspector.
LICENSE: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License.
CERTIFICATION: Visible Emission Evaluation Certification, Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Certification, Breathing Apparatus Certification, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification may be required of some positions in the class.
DRIVING RECORD: Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to submit a driving record, in the form of a K-4 report from the DMV, at the candidate's cost. Further details on how to obtain this report will be provided at that time.
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.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 p eers .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.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 c onsists 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.
SELECTION PROCESS: Application packages and 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 are expected to be placed on a ranked eligible list, followed by a hiring interview.
(Please note that the exam and interviews may be conducted remotely.) P ursuant to Section 4 (g)(3)(d) of the Personnel Rules, this eligible list may be used to fill current and future Air Quality
I nspector I vacancies, in any South Coast AQMD department, 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. South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Candidates who may need a special accommodation during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
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.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
TECHNICAL & ENFORCEMENT 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 dyas 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 benefits are available to all employees and their familes at no cost to you. The EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Confidential Therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.
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.
1/1/2024Closing Date/Time: 4/30/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
