Senior Air Quality Engineering Manager

SOUTH COAST AQMD
Diamond Bar, California United States  View Map
Posted: Jan 22, 2026
  • Salary: $139,014.62 - $193,603.33 Annually USD
  • Full Time
  • Administration and Management
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Services
  • Job Description

    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, serving a four-county region that includes Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and the Coachella Valley. 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 $215.5 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 is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique backgrounds, skills, and experiences of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.

    ABOUT THE POSITION

    There is currently one (1) Senior Air Quality Engineering Manager vacancy in the Engineering and Permitting (E&P) division.

    The Senior Air Quality Engineering Manager class is characterized by responsibility for the daily administration of a major permitting team in E&P. The position in this class requires highly specialized technical knowledge of engineering principles in commercial and industrial operations and in-depth knowledge of local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations, as well as South Coast AQMD policies and procedures, in order to design, coordinate, and direct major engineering programs, projects or studies. Primarily the position is focused on managing a team responsible for reviewing and evaluating permit applications for various industrial and commercial sectors to ensure compliance with air quality requirements. Additionally, the position requires strong leadership skills in order to lead a team of permitting engineers, and technical and clerical staff. The incumbent represents the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer or the Deputy Executive Officer of E&P in contacts with the South Coast AQMD Executive Officer, Governing and Hearing Board members, industry, state, federal, and local government officials, the public, and environmental organizations.

    EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

    The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to this link here
    • Manages the daily operation and internal administration of a major permitting team in E&P; responsible for ensuring compliance with air pollution control requirements for complex industrial equipment.
    • Advises the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer or the Deputy Executive Officer of permitting activities within E&P, and the implementation of local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations for stationary sources.
    • Coordinates with permitting teams in E&P and other divisions at South Coast AQMD in making recommendations on the most effective application of engineering principles in the review of stationary sources of emissions.
    • Designs, coordinates, and manages major engineering projects or studies in E&P; selects project teams, establishes goals and deadlines, coordinates with members of industry and other public sector agencies; reviews findings and makes recommendations to the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer/Deputy Executive Officer.
    • Coordinates and supervises the preparation of all monthly, quarterly, and annual, or other technical reports required by E&P, other public sector agencies, or by law.


    MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

    DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
    In addition to the Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitive candidates will also possess:
    • Extensive experience leading and supervising technical or administrative staff.
    • Extensive experience overseeing a permitting program that demonstrates a thorough understanding of New Source Review Rules for criteria and toxic pollutants; Title V; RECLAIM; and other local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations.
    • Experience analyzing and resolving complex problems related to New Source Review rules for criteria and toxic pollutants; Title V; RECLAIM; and other local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations.
    • Knowledge of the various factors that affect permit processing timelines and experience in developing permitting policies or procedures to streamline permitting activities in a regulatory agency.
    • Experience performing and/or reviewing air dispersion modeling and health risk assessments.
    • Experience preparing and/or reviewing various CEQA documents.
    • Strong project and program management skills. Experience and demonstrated ability to continuously monitor and prioritize activities in a team in order to ensure project completion in a timely manner and to develop and implement innovative solutions to optimize efficiency and productivity.
    • Ability to speak and make presentations at public meetings attended by elected officials, Board members, public and private sector representatives, community members, and the general public. Ability to communicate highly technical information to a non-technical audience on controversial topics.
    • California State Registration as a Professional Engineer.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
    • Knowledge of general engineering principles with specific knowledge of the fields that apply to air quality control.
    • Skill in supervision and in accomplishing objectives by directing the work of professional engineers, scientists, technicians and administrative staff.
    • Ability to analyze and formulate standards for the control of air quality.
    • Ability to provide innovative solutions to technical problems arising from the administration of a large professional engineering staff.
    • Knowledge of administrative techniques and practices necessary for the solution of daily operational problems in personnel, budget, workflow and organization.
    • Evidence of the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be demonstrated by graduation from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major emphasis in engineering or a related field.
    • A Master's degree in engineering or a related field may substitute for some managerial, administrative, or direct supervisory experience.


    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, as applicable. 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 additional test may be conducted and evaluated as part of the Hiring Interview process).If you claim education on your application, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, documenting all qualifying education and/or occupational training claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application.
    THE SELECTION PROCESS

    Application packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which may include a writing exercise, oral assessment and/or panel interview (weighted at 100%).

    Your application will be reviewed very carefully, and only those who appear to have the best qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to further testing.

    South Coast AQMD reserves the right to modify the selection process, as needed, based upon the qualifications and number of applicants.

    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.

    Please call Human Resources at least one week in advance if you may need an accommodation at any step during the selection process.

    If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.

    MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW

    BENEFIT

    DESCRIPTION

    Monthly Benefit Allotment

    $2,060.00 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

    $5,000 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 benefits are available to all employees and their families at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Services include: confidential therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.

    Term Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment

    $50,000 coverage paid by South Coast AQMD

    (Additional optional coverage paid by you)

    Long-Term Disability Coverage

    Paid by South Coast AQMD

    Employee-Paid Long-Term Care Plan

    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 in years two through five

    Holidays

    13paid holidays per year

    Sick Leave

    100 hours per year

    Other Leaves

    Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness

    Professional Licenses & Memberships

    Reimbursed up to $300 per year; $478 for attorney bar dues

    Wellness Reimbursement Program

    Reimbursed up to $300 per year towards the cost of wellness initiatives

    Salary Continuation Plan

    Eligible after one year of service

    Tuition Reimbursement

    Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year

    Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)

    South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of your regular contribution, up to $8,800. South Coast AQMD matching contribution will be paid to your 401(a) 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.

    01/01/2024

    Closing Date/Time: 2/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
  • ABOUT THE COMPANY

    • South Coast Air Quality Management District
    • South Coast Air Quality Management District

    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.

    Show more

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