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South Coast Air Quality Management District

South Coast Air Quality Management District

Address: 21865 Copley Dr, Diamond Bar, CA 91765, USA

Contact Name:

Phone: 909-396-2800

South 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 all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, 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 750 employees, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.

 

Mission

To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.

What is the South Coast AQMD?

South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley.  The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.

Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.

What South Coast AQMD Does

Pie Graph of Sources of Ozone-Forming Pollution

South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences.  The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.

How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution

Bar Graph of Progress in Reducing Ozone Pollution 1976-2009

South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards.  Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products.  Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements. 

The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe.  South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.

South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue

To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.

Progress So Far

Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.

In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.

The Job Ahead

The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.

State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned.  South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard.  This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous.  Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.

The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago.  With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.

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1 job(s) at South Coast Air Quality Management District

Assistant/Air Quality Engineer I & II (Engineering & Permitting)
SOUTH COAST AQMD Diamond Bar, California, United States
Sep 06, 2024
Full Time
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW South 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 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, 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 throughout various teams within the Engineering and Permitting Division. From this recruitment process, we expect to establish an eligibility list from which current and future vacancies at these levels 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, and may be assigned responsibilities such as: Developing new or amendments to South Coast AQMD rules. Auditing annual emissions reports. Working in the AB-2588 or AER programs (emissions inventory, risk assessment, and community right-to-know about air toxic emissions). Handling equipment registration/certification and other area source programs. Assisting small businesses with permitting and compliance issues. Providing staff assistance to the small business advisory group. Administering grant programs. Overseeing the noticing of public workshops and hearings. Conducting inspections and field source tests. Reviewing/evaluating protocols, source test data, and reports submitted to the South Coast AQMD. CAREER PATH New engineers may be placed at any level below, depending on their qualifications and our needs. Typically, however, individuals are placed as an Assistant Air Quality Engineer and become eligible for non-competitive promotions to each successive level upon successful performance of duties for the required minimum period of time. At each level, the duties performed are similar, but vary in the degree of difficulty and complexity of work, the breadth and depth of knowledge required, the kind and amount of supervision received, and the degree of independence of action with which the work is performed. ASSISTANT AIR QUALITY ENGINEER Biweekly Salary Range: $3,003.14 - $4,147.34 Annual Salary Range: $78,081.52 - $107,830.79 This is the entry-level class in the professional Air Quality Engineer class series. Incumbents perform the less complex engineering assignments, and serve under training conditions, while acquiring the necessary air quality engineering skills and knowledge to qualify for promotion to the Air Quality Engineer I level. AIR QUALITY ENGINEER I Biweekly Salary Range: $3,344.97 - $4,617.40 Annual Salary Range: $86,969.15 - $120,052.47 This is the intermediate-level class in the professional Air Quality Engineer class series. Incumbents are expected to complete a variety of engineering assignments, working under general supervision. AIR QUALITY ENGINEER II Biweekly Salary Range: $3,542.73 - $4,891.85 Annual Salary Range: $92,111.10 - $127,188.11 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. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to the job description linked here. 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. MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS California State Registration as a Professional Engineer. 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, air conditioning, 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: ASSISTANT AIR QUALITY ENGINEER: No experience is required. AIR QUALITY ENGINEER I: One year as an Assistant Air Quality Engineer at South Coast AQMD or equivalent engineering experience is required. AIR QUALITY ENGINEER II: Eighteen months of professional air quality engineering experience, either as an Air Quality Engineer I at South Coast AQMD or at an equivalent level in a similar public agency. 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. SKILL OR ABILITY TO: 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. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE : A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers .Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application *. *You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application . Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application . At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their 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, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to a multiple-choice examination, to be rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates who pass the exam will advance to the next step in the process, which may include a panel interview. (Please note that all exams/interviews will be conducted remotely). Following the exam and/or interviews, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the life of the list. 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. (Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.) 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 this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship . 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. If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW BENEFIT DESCRIPTION Monthly Benefit Allotment $1,912, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans. Medical Health Plans Blue Shield PPO Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan) Blue Shield HMO Kaiser HMO Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan) Dental Plans Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits) Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only) DeltaCare (PMI) Dental Vision Plan EyeMed - Optional Life Insurance $10,000 Term Life Insurance (Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP is available to all employees and their familiels at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Accidental Death & Dismemberment Optional Section 125 Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care) Work Schedule Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday Vacation 80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years Holidays 13 paid holidays per year Sick Leave 100 hours per year Other Leaves Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness Tuition Reimbursement Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) Optional (Employee may contribute up to the IRS maximum). South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar up to $300 per year for the regular plan. Retirement 2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established. 2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established. Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security. 03/01/2024 Closing Date/Time: 11/6/2024 11:59 PM Pacific