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Job Description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
ABOUT SOUTH COAST AQMD
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 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 POSITION
South Coast AQMD is seeking experienced individuals to fill multiple Air Quality Instrument Specialist I vacancies. Air Quality Instrument Specialist I positions are integral to the agency's air monitoring programs, and are responsible for the operation, preventive maintenance, and minor repair of various electronic and mechanical air monitoring, air sampling, and meteorological instrumentation at air monitoring sites. From this recruitment process, we expect to establish an eligible list from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the life of the list.
Air Quality Instrument Specialist I positions are assigned a specific geographic area and a fixed set of air monitoring stations to service, within the four-county area we serve. These field positions require driving to various air monitoring stations to collect air quality samples and perform electronic checks to determine if instruments are working properly; therefore, successful candidates must possess a good driving record. After initial training, Air Quality Instrument Specialists I are assigned a South Coast AQMD vehicle for work-related travel between our headquarters and facilities within their assigned area. These positions may also be assigned to deliver collected samples for analysis to laboratories in Diamond Bar or Downey.
Air Quality Instrument Specialists I work either five 8-hour days or four 10-hour days, any of the seven days a week, but may occasionally have to rotate schedules or work overtime to cover unexpected vacancies or special workload needs. Some assignments may require the work shift to start as early as 5:00 a.m.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to the job description linked here .- Operates, maintains, and tests a variety of electronic and mechanical air monitoring instrumentation to ensure performance of instrumentation and transmission of data according to South Coast AQMD specifications.
- Reviews data and performs calculations to ascertain if an instrument is functioning properly and that data falls within prescribed specifications and tolerance levels.
- Inspects meters, pumps, filters, recorders, wiring, tubing, circuit boards and other subsystems to determine cause of abnormal fluctuations of instrumentation.
- May repair instrumentation by replacing defective parts and make minor calibration adjustments to ensure instrumentation functions within specified standards.
- Assists in the set up and installation, repair, and maintenance of air monitoring and meteorological instrumentation, including equipment used for data transmission, at air monitoring stations.
- Performs periodic instrumentation tests to measure voltage, resistance, and gas flows to test the accuracy of flow meters, recorders, and data transmission.
- Notifies supervisor of abnormal instrumentation fluctuations and equipment failures in order to request repairs, calibrations, or backup instrumentation to avoid excessive loss.
- Prepares, maintains, and submits logs, records or reports on instrumentation performance, maintenance, and servicing.
- Participates in special studies to gather data for impact studies and other projects; sets up equipment and conducts manual sampling of air contaminants which require the use of filters, sampling tubes, and other devices.
- Reads, interprets, and logs information from recorder charts; reduces data to ensure correct and timely forecasts of high-contaminant conditions and changes in environmental trends in relation to local ambient air quality standards.
- Order supplies for the maintenance of instrumentation and air monitoring facilities.
- Makes public presentations and conducts tours of air monitoring stations.
- May respond to emergency service calls, as assigned or as the situation requires.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in electronics, physics, chemistry, engineering, or a related field is highly desirable.
- 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
- Experience working with air quality and meteorological instrumentation.
- Ability and willingness to work alone on a daily basis.
- Ability to prioritize work and respond to diagnose electronic and mechanical instrument issues in a timely manner.
- Ability to follow directions and adjust based on preventative maintenance feedback provided by senior staff.
- Experience performing diagnostic tests, basic maintenance, and basic troubleshooting.
- Experience preparing and maintaining written documentation, chain of custody, and reports according to standard operating procedures.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook; experience with Access is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work well with colleagues.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:- Either (1) One year of experience as an Assistant Air Quality Specialist
OR- Completion of at least 34 semester or 51 quarter units from as accredited college or university in electronics, physics, chemistry, or a related field, AND one year of experience performing duties comparable to those of an Assistant Air Quality Instrument Specialist.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a good driving record.
ABILITY TO:
Read, interpret, and perform operating and maintenance procedures; understand and follow oral and written instructions for installing, operating, and servicing electronic and mechanical instrumentation; mathematically reduce data to usable form; respond to emergency service calls in a timely manner; maintain and order supplies; prepare and maintain logs, records, and reports; work cooperatively with co-workers and the general public; operate electronic and mechanical instrumentation; set up and install electronic and mechanical procedures, and vehicles; disassemble, assemble, clean, adjust, lubricate, and replace worn parts of electronic and mechanical equipment; perform minor calibrations and adjust instruments to specifications.
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.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.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 .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 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 will advance to the next step in the process, which may include an oral assessment and/or panel interview (weighted at 100%).
Following the assessment process, 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.)
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.
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 this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
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.
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.
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.
1/1/2024
Closing Date/Time: 1/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Show moreSouth 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 all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, 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 750 employees, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.
Mission
To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.
What is the South Coast AQMD?
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.
Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.
What South Coast AQMD Does
South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences. The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.
How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution
South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards. Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products. Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe. South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.
South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue
To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.
Progress So Far
Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.
In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.
The Job Ahead
The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.
State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned. South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard. This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous. Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.
The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago. With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.
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