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 Air Quality Planning Branch of the Air Quality Planning and Science Division seeks a motivated Air Pollution Specialist (APS) in the Particulate Matter Analysis Section to provide complex air quality investigations to support exceptional event demonstrations and State Implementation Plan (SIP) development related to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) criteria pollutants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency strengthened the level of the PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), which impacts large areas of the state who have never been non-attainment, requiring significant air quality planning, analysis, and policy input for plan development and implementation. This position will support the expanded use of the Exceptional Event Rule necessary for the state to meet its goal of increasing use of prescribed fire to annually treat hundreds of thousands of acres of natural and working lands while at the same time attaining the lower PM2.5 NAAQS.

Under direction of the Air Resources Supervisor I, the APS will provide coordination with the air districts on the exceptional event process related to the PM2.5 NAAQS and develop exceptional event demonstrations necessary to show attainment of the federal and State air quality standards. In this role, they will work with a team of air quality professionals to develop and apply sophisticated data analysis techniques and modeling tools to evaluate air quality trends, source-receptor relationships, and the impact of weather and emissions on air quality; develop recommendations and proposals related to designations for new, revised, and existing federal and State standards; evaluate the impact of Exceptional Events, including prescribed burns and wildfires, on measured PM concentrations and lead the efforts to support air districts with exceptional event demonstrations to ensure an increase in the use of prescribed fire does not hinder NAAQS attainment status.

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.
 

• 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.