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. 

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 QUALIFICATIONS:

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in the field of atmospheric science, environmental/chemical/mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics, meteorology, environmental science, and/or a related quantitative field.
• An advanced degree in atmospheric science, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics, meteorology, environmental science, or related field
• Extensive experience conducting numerical modeling with three-dimensional photochemical transport models (e.g., CMAQ, WRF-Chem, CAM-chem), mesoscale meteorological models such as WRF,MPAS and FV3, and grid-based emission preparation using SMOKE (Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions) or equivalent tools.
• Extensive experience with Fortran, C, Linux shell programming, and database management (MYSQL) in Linux/Unix environment
• Experience with handling dataset formatted in Linux machine specific binary, netCDF, and GRIB.
• Experience using advanced graphical packages such as VERDI (Visualization Environmental for Rich Data Interpretation), Vis-5d, MET (Model Evaluation Tool), IDV (Integrated Data Viewer), NCL (NCAR Command Language), MATLAB, etc.
• Experience in the analysis and research of air quality data and other technical issues. 
• Extensive experience in writing technical documents such as reports, publications, recommendations, technical papers, presentations, talking points, and correspondence.
• Experience with the planning and development, application, and/or execution of comprehensive modelling and/or measurement air quality studies.
• Experience with the technical evaluation of emissions inventories, air quality models, air quality measurements, stationary or mobile source control technologies, health risk assessments, or other environmental issues.
• 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.


• 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.