SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEWSouth 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 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 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’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.
ABOUT THE CURRENT VACANCY We are recruiting for one Air Quality Specialist position in the Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit of our Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation (PRDI) division, a major branch of South Coast AQMD.
The position requires a strong background in air quality science along with expertise in computer programming and software development. An eligible list of candidates established with this recruitment can be used to fill a current and future Air Quality Specialist vacancies in the PRDI division.
One of the main goals of the Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit is to help the public reduce their exposure to poor air quality by disseminating air quality science in an easy-to-understand way to facilitate health-protective decision making. The Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit is on the cutting edge of both air quality science and the information technology needed to disseminate air quality data and guidance most effectively.
Activities within the Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit include:
- Performing complex analyses of large measured meteorological and air quality data sets from ground- and satellite-based measurement platforms
- Air quality forecasting and developing air quality forecast models
- Issuing predictive air quality advisories during extreme events such as wildfires and dust storms
- Developing and maintaining the South Coast AQMD real-time air quality index map
- Conducting technical analyses to support rule-making
- Addressing air quality related inquiries from the public and the media
- Conducting media interviews
- Analyzing ambient air quality data and regulatory implications
- Preparing reports and presentations related to air quality and meteorological analysis
- Geographic analysis using GIS software
- Disseminating graphical and tabular air quality data to the public
- Conducting air quality dispersion modeling
- Conducting air quality research that has a direct impact on public health
AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST is the experienced, journey-level class in the professional air pollution control series. Incumbents perform the more responsible, varied, and complex work. Air Quality Specialist is distinguished from the next higher class of Program Supervisor in that the incumbents of the latter class either supervise a unit of professional and technical employees or are responsible for the development and oversight of specific programs involving more independent and complex professional work.
The Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit is composed of five Air Quality Specialist positions, a Senior Meteorologist, and a Program Supervisor. The group is extremely collaborative as most projects require contributions from multiple group members and often works with other groups within and outside the agency.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES IN GENERAL, AIR QUALITY SPECIALISTS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING DUTIES 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 management.
Reviews and analyzes a wide variety of environmental documents; conducts air quality impact analyses and assessments; and writes or coordinates the writing of Environmental Impact Reports.
Evaluates economic impacts of air quality regulations and develops economic incentives to achieve designated air quality standards.
May assist in organizing and participating in workshops and meetings and provide consultation and advice to individuals and businesses in matters related to area of expertise.
May assist in preparing and making presentations on proposed rules, rule amendments and other air quality-related projects and studies.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSDESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONSIn addition to the Minimum Qualifications , which follow in the next section, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:
- An advanced degree in atmospheric science, environmental/chemical/mechanical engineering, meteorology, environmental science, environmental geoscience, public health, computer science, data science, software engineering, mathematics, atmospheric chemistry or a related technical field.
- A proven record of successful collaborations with internal or external colleagues
- Strong computer programming skills in MATLAB, Python, R, or another modern computer language
- Extensive experience visualizing, presenting, and publishing statistical/geographic data for technical and/or non-technical audiences
- Experience preparing interactive maps, reports, publications, recommendations, technical papers, presentations, talking points, and correspondence for technical and/or general-public audiences
- Experience in reviewing complex technical documents, making related recommendations, and communicating key issues, orally and in writing, to superiors, teammates, special interest groups, the public, and other audiences
In addition to the desirable qualifications above, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess skills from the two subsets below:
Air Quality Science Skills Subset
- Experience conducting research on atmospheric particulate matter, ozone, and/or meteorology
- · Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of air quality and meteorological instrumentation
- Experience building, improving, training, evaluating and deploying air quality models.
Advanced Computer Programming and Software Development Skills Subset
- Experience building interactive software and websites for the display and analysis of technical data
- Expertise with machine learning techniques.
- Fluency with geospatial mapping and analysis software
- Extensive expertise with multiple programming languages
- Experience administering databases
- Experience using SQL and databases in applications and data analysis
- Experience using Linux, such as installing and updating packages and compiling applications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, or the physical, social, or biological sciences, depending upon the functions of the assigned unit.
EXPERIENCE: Two years of technical air quality or professional analytical experience that would demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position to which assigned.
KNOWLEDGE OF: One or more professional disciplines, such as chemistry, toxics, statistics, economics, environmental planning, or engineering, with emphasis on its relationship to planning, rule development, or engineering activities; principles, methods, and procedures of environmental review, planning, rule development, or air quality monitoring, including related instrumentation; air quality regulations and review process; air quality modeling; emissions calculations; PC software applications commonly used in the field; research methods and techniques, including statistical and computer applications for data analysis; professional report writing; and State, federal, and local programs, guidelines, and code regulations related to air quality management.
SKILL OR ABILITY TO: Compile, analyze, and interpret technical air quality data; learn and apply District air quality regulations to stationary and mobile source monitoring; monitor and evaluate the performance of consultants; oversee stationary and mobile source monitoring projects under minimum supervision; maintain accurate records of air quality planning, research, monitoring, or rule development projects and prepare clear and persuasive reports and recommendations; represent SCAQMD interests at public, professional, and internal meetings and communicate with a variety of technical and professional air quality and legal staff; maintain current knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local regulations and technical or scientific developments; provide expert testimony, advice, and counsel in a specialized field; apply appropriate computer-based analytical techniques to complex air pollution control problems; develop new techniques and approaches to the solution of complex air pollution control problems; proficiently use PC and mainframe software applications common to the field and to the general business environment of the SCAQMD; read, understand, and follow verbal and written directions; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATIONAPPLICATION 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 peers.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 consists 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.
THE SELECTION PROCESSApplication packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which may include a writing exercise, oral assessment and/or panel interview (weighted at 100%).
Following the oral assessment and/or interviews, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which current and future vacancies at this level may be filled, during the 6-12 month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate they are among the most competitively qualified, at each successive step of the selection process, will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to the next step.)
Pursuant to Section 4(g)(3)(d) of the Personnel Rules, this eligible list may be used to fill current and future Air Quality Specialist vacancies, in any South Coast AQMD department, during the 6-12 month life of the list.
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
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.
Please call Human Resources at least one week in advance if you might need an accommodation at any step during the selection process.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
PROFESSIONAL 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 days 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 is available to all employees and their familiels at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues.
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.
03/01/2024Closing Date/Time: 8/16/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
