Air Pollution Specialist

Applying electronically via CalCareers is highly recommended. If submitting a hardcopy application (mail/drop-off), please send an email to Essam.Gad@arb.ca.gov to confirm submission.
 

The Local Planning Section in the Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division (STCD) is seeking applicants for an Air Pollution Specialist to carry out assignments related to the activities described below with a positive attitude, a high degree of initiative, and originality.

The State’s ability to meet increasingly stringent air quality standards and carbon neutrality depends to a large extent on accelerating the transition to zero-emission transportation and buildings; shaping the emergence of new mobility options to meet community needs; and integrating land use, housing, and transportation to reduce the number and length of auto trips. How we build communities, including the mobility options people use to get around, drives emissions, health outcomes, access to opportunity, and ultimately quality of life.

While the State has taken on a number of strategies to reduce emissions and build sustainable communities, State action alone will not be sufficient to achieve the magnitude and pace of transformation needed to meet the State’s air quality and climate goals. The 2022 Scoping Plan Update discusses the relationship between local government actions and achievement of the State’s long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals and recommends actions to support local governments in their efforts to reduce GHG emissions. CARB plays an important role in providing communities with guidance and support in this endeavor.

Within this context, the Local Planning Section in STCD is responsible for:

• Developing and implementing initiatives to identify and address barriers to zero-emission mobility in local communities, with a strong focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• Overseeing investments to expand mobility choices in disadvantaged communities to ensure they meet programmatic and statutory requirements.
• Assessing transportation and land use development projects in order to ensure they meet applicable statutory requirements, are consistent with sustainable community strategies and the State’s air quality and climate goals, and promote environmental leadership;
• Providing guidance to local agencies on best practices for mitigating GHG and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) impacts of land use development projects under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including the development of mitigation banks and exchanges that can provide sustainable sources of funding for community mobility projects;
• Working with CARB staff and other local and State agencies to provide guidance in implementing CEQA and related statutes to ensure projects further the State’s air quality and climate goals.
• Staying up to date on local and regional actions related to transportation and land use development and working to improve alignment between local and regional land use and transportation planning and projects.  

The successful candidate will be expected to successfully complete projects and ensure effective communication and documentation of work; manage grants and contracts to implement community-scale mobility investments; collaborate with other divisions at CARB to develop incentive program guidelines; develop reports, presentations, speeches, and other technical and policy documents requiring a broad perspective of Board-wide programs and initiatives; as well as form and maintain effective working relationships with CARB staff and external stakeholders. Travel within California for conferences and meetings may be required.

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 Resource 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.

• 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.