Air Pollution Specialist

This position can be located in Sacramento or Riverside County.

The Innovative Strategies Branch (Branch) is seeking an Air Pollution Specialist in the Off-Road and Agricultural Strategies and Incentives Section (Section) to join an energetic and skilled team of professional staff in crafting policy and implementing incentive programs to help achieve California's ambitious air quality, climate, and environmental justice goals.

The Innovative Strategies Branch implements incentive projects that equitably transform the transportation, agriculture, and freight sectors, improve the well-being and quality of life for all Californians, and spur and support competitive markets. With open minds we use social, environmental, and economic justice as the guiding principles for our clean transportation policy.

The Off-road and Agricultural Strategies and Incentives Section (Section) works within the Innovative Strategies Branch to collaboratively develop and implement innovative strategies on heavy-duty policies and investments, achieving transformative, far-reaching benefits for all.

Section responsibilities include the implementation of the Volkswagen Mitigation Incentive Program, implementation of workforce training and development projects, and preparation of the annual Long-Term Heavy-Duty Investment Strategy.  

In addition, staff may evaluate commercially available vehicle and equipment models for incentive program eligibility, strategize in the development of incentive funding for zero-emission off-road equipment, craft policy and collaborate with regulatory program staff, perform data analysis across the branch, and perform administrative oversight of project activities. This section works closely with the Innovative Heavy-Duty Strategies Section and staff are often matrix managed between the sections. Projects may be widely diverse and include policy and technical research, training and outreach.

The Section is seeking a highly motivated person, who excels and thrives to produce quality work in a team setting.  Under the supervision of an Air Resources Supervisor I, the Air Pollution Specialist will:

• Perform technical work related to implementation of incentive projects;
• Prepare written agreements and guidance documents for the implementation of mobile source incentives;
• Prepare clear and accurate technical reports, issue papers, and regulatory documentation;
• Lead the effort to prepare, organize, and coordinate efforts for public workgroup meetings to notify, solicit, and evaluate interested parties' feedback;
• Update implementation manuals, grant solicitations, grant agreements/contracts, incentive applications, and outreach materials;
• Review and process fund disbursement requests and monitor and track incentive funds;  
• Communicate observations, results, and recommendations verbally and in writing to management;
• Conduct outreach activities, attend conferences and equipment demonstration events;
• Evaluate eligibility of applications initially denied and brought to case-by-case review;
• Work in conjunction with other groups within the California Air Resources Board as well as outside agencies, including local air districts, equipment and vehicle manufacturers, environmental and community-based organizations, and other interested stakeholders.  

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement. 

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone. 
• Up to 10% travel will be required.