Principal Air Quality Specialist (Regulatory Development)

• Work closely with professional and technical staff to perform and lead complex program assignments for developing regulations to control air pollutants (including those contributing to climate change and contributing to localize air quality impacts in overburdened communities)
• Work closely with the California Air Resources Board, other local air districts, community groups, community members, environmental organizations, regulated industries, and other key stakeholders to reduce harmful air pollutants, especially in communities overburdened by air pollution.
• Lead, conduct, and coordinate scientific, economic, and technical research work.
• Review and draft regulatory language, develop and implement cost effectiveness and incremental cost effectiveness calculations for a wide variety of sources in an industry with a variety of control options.
• Analyze emissions inventories to determine baseline emissions and reduction estimates for rules under development.
• Brief District executives and present at workshops and board meetings.
• Work closely with the Community Engagement Division staff and other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders.

The Air District develops regulations based on the measures identified in its Clean Air Plan. Air District staff develop new rules to reduce emissions in order to improve public health, air quality and the global climate.

Rule Development is the process Air District staff uses to write regulations that govern stationary sources of air pollution in the Bay Area. It involves technical research, engagement with affected stakeholders, public meetings to allow input by affected parties such as industries and communities, and the preparation of CEQA and socio economic analyses.

As new rules are adopted by a vote of the Air District's Board of Directors and are then enforced via Air District Permit and Inspections programs.

The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.

Coordinates and carries out the most complex assignments relating to the development, review and approval processes for the Air District's new or revised rules and regulations; equipment operation and maintenance; data collection and analysis; technical review; the development of technological justifications; and/or other special projects as assigned.

Develops, recommends and implements Air District policies and programs to enforce statutory and regulatory requirements for enforcement; develops and recommends the Air District's position on various enforcement matters such as hearing board actions and settlement conferences.

Provides input into hiring selection decisions and performance evaluations.

Provides technical development and training.

Develops and implements policies, procedures, and manuals.

Develops, implements, recommends and revises forms, webpages, and other program tools.

Advises staff on technical, regulatory and programmatic issues.

Reviews and summarizes data, prepares special and periodic reports, and ensures program effectiveness.

Conducts and participates in meetings and workshops with a variety of legal, public and private agency officials to explain and interpret technical policies, data rules and regulations regarding programs.

Participates in meetings, conferences, hearing boards and workshops with public and private agencies; serves on special committees and task forces relating to air quality program activities.

Interacts and represents the Air District with industry, attorneys, the public and other agencies; provides technical expertise to Air District staff, to counsel, to industry, the public and other agencies.

Provides lead direction, training and work review to technical and support staff, prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion.

May provide technical training and participate in program and staff development.

Maintains data and data systems supporting Air District programs.

May provide input to air quality program budgetary needs.

Maintains detailed technical records, standard operating procedures, and logbooks to comply with regulatory guidelines.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Regulatory Development (Representative Duties)

Leads the review and development of regulatory language.

Leads the development and implementation of cost effectiveness and incremental cost effectiveness calculations for a wide variety of sources in industries with a variety of control options.

Leads and coordinates with professional and technical staff to perform complex scientific research, engineering work, and economic and environmental analyses for developing regulations to control air pollutants (including those contributing to climate change and contributing to localized air quality impacts in overburdened communities).

Works closely with professional and technical staff to lead and review economic analyses and environmental analyses.

Works closely with staff from other air districts and the California Air Resources Board to lead development of air quality regulations and toxic control measures.

Leads analysis of emissions inventories to determine baseline emissions and reduction estimates for rules under development.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Education:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university with major coursework in chemistry, computer science, electronics, engineering, environmental science, mathematics, meteorology, physical sciences, physics, or a closely related field.

AND

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience performing air quality inspections; installing, operating and maintaining air monitoring and quality assessment instruments and equipment, or developing and administering air quality programs, of which at least two (2) years included performing lead or supervisory responsibilities equivalent to the Air District's Senior Air Quality Specialist.

Substitution: Any combination of relevant training and work experience in the listed or related fields may substitute for the education criteria on a year for year basis.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

Theories, principles and practices of air quality measurements or inspection and enforcement, including environmental research and analysis.

Applicable Air District rules and regulations and state and federal laws.

Basic principles of engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology as they relate to air quality programs.

Industrial processes and equipment used in air pollution control.

Common biological, chemical and physical processes that cause air pollution and their long- and short-term impacts and effects.

Industrial practices and techniques to modify production processes and equipment to reduce emissions.

General principles of data quality and control.

Basic principles and practices of public administration.

Record-keeping and reporting principles and practices.

General principles of records management.

Skill in:

Developing, administering, and supervising effective air quality programs.

Analyzing technical air pollution problems, evaluating alternative solutions and developing effective recommendations.

Analyzing and interpreting technical and legal rules, policies and procedures.

Reading and understanding technical diagrams and processes.

Preparing clear and concise technical reports, correspondence, presentations, and other written materials.

Communicating technical and non-technical information orally and in writing to various audiences.

Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Application Instructions
Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on March 13th, 2026. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Applications must be submitted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply.

Postmarked, faxed, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.

Supplemental Questions Instructions
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Division no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section. Please limit your responses to no more than 500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.

Selection Criteria
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants. The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Division at (415) 749-4980.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Air District does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, genetic information, medical condition, or mental or physical disability, or any other attribute or belief protected by law. It is the Air District's policy to provide fair and equal access to the benefits of the programs or activities it administers.