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Air Quality Specialist (Multiple Positions)

Employer
South Coast AQMD
Location
Diamond Bar, California (LA County)
Salary
$83,383.08 - $112,054.68 Annually
Closing date
Feb 3, 2023

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Job Details

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 800 employees, an annual budget of $189.2 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!

 

ABOUT THE CURRENT VACANCIES:

We are recruiting for two Air Quality Specialist positions in the Meteorology/Air Quality Assessment unit of our Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation (PRDI) division, a major branch of South Coast AQMD.  One position requires a strong background in air quality science and the other position requires expertise in computer programming and software development. Candidates skilled in both subject areas are the most competitive but are not common due to the specialization required in each area. 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

 
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. 
 
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We are also recruiting for an Air Quality Specialist in Air Quality (AQ) Modeling and Emissions Inventory unit of our Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation (PRDI) division.

Activities within the AQ Modeling/Emissions Inventory unit include air quality analysis and numerical modeling of meteorology and photochemistry, emissions inventory development, performing complex analyses of large measured meteorological and air quality data sets from ground level and satellite-based measurement platforms, image processing, air quality evaluation and preparing reports and presentations related to air quality and meteorology, graphical information system analysis, and conducting air quality research to assist air quality policy development.

Air Quality Specialist is required to have advanced experience and knowledge in one or more of the specialties listed above.

Specialized duties for the current vacancy include:

  • Conduct comprehensive three-dimensional chemical transport modeling to assist in policy decisions, air quality management plans, rulemaking activities and other special studies
  • Prepare spatially and temporally allocated emissions inventories as input for photochemical transport modeling
  • Perform complex air quality and meteorological data analysis
  • Perform geographical data analysis using geographical information systems (GIS) tools
  • Prepare written documents such as technical reports and scientific publications, briefing papers based on air quality modeling, analysis and monitoring studies
  • Develop and/or administer maintenance and upgrades of Linux-based parallel computing systems
  • Prepare and/or perform presentations to convey complex air quality concepts to technical and/or general-public audiences
  • Collaborate with other government agencies, academic institutions and other professional communities
  • Analyze information and data leading to the preparation of written documents such as findings and recommendations, exceptional event analyses, rule drafts and supporting documents including, graphs, and statistical summaries
  • Conduct policy relevant air quality research to improve air quality of the South Coast Air Basin
  • Review research publications and technical reports of other agencies and write a summary report and/or comment letter  

 

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:
  
AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST: 
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.

 

Deadline 1/31/23 11:59 pm

To apply, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scaqmd

Company

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, and an annual budget of $189.2 million, 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! 

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