Address
Form of workSouth Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD'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 800 employees, and an annual budget of $189.2 million, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
South Coast AQMD's mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical Air Quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.
ABOUT THE POSITIONS:
South Coast AQMD currently has multiple vacancies in the Engineering and Permitting department. From this recruitment process, we expect to establish an eligibility list from which current and future vacancies at the Air Quality Engineer II level throughout various departments within South Coast AQMD may be filled, during the life of the list.
ABOUT THE JOB OF AN AIR QUALITY ENGINEER
The primary function of engineers assigned to a permitting or other related engineering units, is the review and processing of permits to construct and permits to operate equipment, to ensure that resulting emissions comply with our rules and do not negatively affect Air Quality in this region. Air Quality Engineers may be expected to support various other South Coast AQMD programs, such as source testing, annual emissions reports, rule development, AB617, AB2588. The Air Quality Engineer class consists of three levels - Assistant Air Quality Engineer, Air Quality Engineer I, and Air Quality Engineer II. Although the duties of each level are similar, they vary primarily in the degree of difficulty and complexity of work, the breadth and depth of knowledge required, the type and amount of supervision received, and the degree of independence of action with which the work is performed. This recruitment is only for the Air Quality Engineer II classification.
AIR QUALITY ENGINEER II
This is the experienced, journey-level class in the professional Air Quality Engineer class series. Air Quality Engineer II is characterized by the responsibility for performing complex Air Quality Engineering assignments requiring the use of judgment and initiative to develop solutions to problems and the interpretation and application of general policies and rules. Incumbents at this level may act as team leaders with lead responsibility for others.
Evaluates, for conformity with federal and State Air Quality laws and South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, applications for permits to construct and to operate equipment subject to South Coast AQMD permitting requirements and recommends issuing or denying permits.Performs complex engineering calculations and analyses of the design and operation of various industrial processes and air pollution control equipment to quantify and assess air emissions impacts.
Interprets and explains Air Quality rules and regulations, policies, and South Coast AQMD fee schedules to technical and non-technical permit applicants and business representatives and explains why operation of certain equipment or processes may result in violations of Air Quality rules and what requirements must be met for approval of permits.
Audits privatized source emissions testing for compliance with rules and regulations; develops, reviews, evaluates and approves emission test protocols and reports; validates test methods, protocols, and reporting requirements; conducts source emissions tests; and evaluates and approves continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS).
Performs complex instrumentation engineering work involving the design, modification, construction, calibration, and maintenance of instruments and equipment used in air monitoring and Air Quality measurement.
Conducts technical engineering research; collects and analyzes data in support of rule-making activity; may draft and amend rules and regulations for Air Quality control programs; writes technical reports; assists in budget preparation; and prepares procedural manuals and other documents.
Provides expert testimony at the Hearing Board.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
- California State Registration as a Professional Engineer.
- Previous experience in preparing or reviewing Air Quality permit applications submitted to South Coast AQMD or another agency.
- Demonstrated ability to perform complex Air Quality Engineering assignments requiring the use of judgement and initiative to develop solutions to problems and the interpretation and application of general policies and rules.
- Experience acting as a team leader with lead responsibility over others or a specific project.
- Ability to make field visits, climb ladders, investigate emission release points on top of building or equipment roofs, may be required for positions in some units.
- Ability to identify emission sources and make recommendations on how to minimize emissions and to improve rules and regulations will be required in all units.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, environmental, metallurgical, or petroleum engineering, or other related engineering field as described below.
Regarding a "related engineering field" that might be acceptable: An accredited degree in another engineering field may be acceptable IF your official college transcript documents that your course of study included at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units in chemistry, physics, physical metallurgy, power plant design, heat transfer, air pollution control, differential equations, combustion or thermodynamics. (All coursework must have been completed with a grade of C or above. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees before we can accept them.)
EXPERIENCE:
Eighteen months of professional Air Quality Engineering experience as an Air Quality Engineer I or equivalent. Equivalency may be demonstrated with at least 2.5 years of professional Air Quality Engineering experience, inclusive of 18 months performing duties as either as an Air Quality Engineer I at South Coast AQMD or at an equivalent level.
Air Quality Engineer I duties may be referenced at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scaqmd/classspecs/106989
SUBSTITUTION:
A master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above-listed engineering disciplines or other related engineering field may substitute for up to six months of the required experience.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Engineering principles and practices; engineering processes, methods, and equipment used in air pollution analysis and control; federal, State, and local regulations related to Air Quality; source testing methods and protocol; quantitative instrumentation and analysis of organic and inorganic substances and compounds; operational principles and methods of industrial processes and air pollution control equipment and instruments; and PC software applications commonly used by engineers.
SKILL OR ABILITY TO:
Understand, interpret, and explain South Coast AQMD rules and regulations and other complex rules and regulations to technical and non-technical permit applicants, business representatives, and others; apply engineering principles, methods, techniques and procedures to a variety of Air Quality-related matters; develop emissions monitoring procedures, protocols, and reporting requirements; analyze and evaluate the design of and recommend improvements to emission control equipment and processes; perform accurate engineering computations; prepare and analyze engineering reports, diagrams, plans, and proposals; proficiently use PC software applications common to the field and to the general business environment of South Coast AQMD; 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.
Field assignments in source testing may require the ability to climb ladders to heights above 30 feet, assemble and operate test equipment on platforms at heights, work in a noisy environment, be exposed to potentially unpleasant working conditions such as noxious odors, work outdoors for extended periods, and lift equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
LICENSE:
A California Class "C" Driver License and a good driving record are required. (For assignments in source testing, a California Class "B" Driver License may also be required.)
APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:1. A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and current employees must include their entire South Coast AQMD employment history, listing each position separately.
2. Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers.
3. Complete responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire. (Do not simply state "see resume.")
4. An unofficial copy of your transcripts, documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application.
Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Application packets and supplemental questionnaires will first be reviewed and only the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which is a multiple-choice examination rated on a pass/fail basis.
Candidates who pass will be invited to an assessment or panel interview. The interviews (weighted at 100%) are expected to result in a ranked eligible list from which current and future vacancies may be filled, that occur during the 6-12 month life of the list. (The exam and assessment or panel interviews may be conducted remotely.)
Prior to placement on the eligible list, candidates will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.
Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that decisions regarding sponsorship for maintaining a right to work in the United States are made on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to participate in this recruitment process, but there is no guarantee that a job offer with the requested sponsorship will be made to you.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800Employment Type: Full-Time
