Assistant Air Quality Specialist

~ South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the nation. ~

We serve a four-county region that includes all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, home to more than 17 million people. SCAQMD'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 700 employees, an annual budget of $149.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.

Position Overview

We are recruiting for either an Assistant Air Quality Specialist or Air Quality Specialist (Economist) for the Socioeconomic unit of our Planning, Rule Development, and Area Sources (PRDAS) division, a major branch of SCAQMD. In the Socioeconomic unit, Air Quality Specialists conduct applied economic research and analyses, develop and apply economic models (e.g., REMI for regional impact assessments, BenMAP for health benefit assessments) to assess economic impacts of air quality related issues, and write documents concerning socioeconomic impacts due to SCAQMD rules, regulations, and plans.

In general, the specialists perform a variety of professional level assignments by collecting cost and other socioeconomic data from internal and external sources, selecting and using appropriate tools for data management and analyses, and interpreting and presenting analysis results. The specialists often work with other units to gather data and may serve as a subject matter expert in cost-benefit analyses and regional economic impact assessments.

Assistant Air Quality Specialist is the entry-level class in the professional air pollution control series. Incumbents perform assignments within established guidelines to develop sufficient knowledge and further experience for advancement to the Air Quality Specialist level. Initiative and judgment are required to perform air quality evaluations, analyses, planning and rule development activities, and other assignments.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

Desirable Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in the field of economics, statistics, and/or a related quantitative field.
• Solid knowledge of modern economic theories or similar knowledge that is transferable and the ability to apply them.
• Direct or indirect transferable experience in the development and/or application of economic models and in conducting quantitative analyses with large amounts of data.
• Ability to produce organized and credible economic or similar types of impact assessments of public policies by applying and adapting existing research and methodologies developed in multiple disciplinary areas, including but not limited to, statistical epidemiology.
• Excellent database management skills, with experience working with economic, demographic, public health, and energy/environment data or other large data sets such as those published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis,
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, California Economic Development Department, Energy Information Administration, etc.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, and experience in preparing complex reports to effectively communicate to a myriad of 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.

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 calculation.
• PC software applications commonly used in the field; research methods and techniques, including statistical and computer applications for data analysis.
• Professional report writing.
• 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.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with all those contacted in the course of work.

Compensation: $5,718.68 - $8,357.30 Monthly

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below.

Closing Date/Time: Tue. 11/14/17 5:01 PM Pacific Time