Air Pollution Control Specialist - II

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, westward through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play and learn. For more information about Placer County, please visit www.visitplacer.com.

The Air Pollution Control District is currently recruiting for two Temporary/Extra-Help Air Pollution Control Specialists. These positions will be filled at the I or II level and will be based out of the Air Pollution Control District building in Auburn, CA, but will work on projects throughout the County. The candidates should have a strong sense of customer service and conflict resolution; be able to investigate complaints; conduct field inspections based on complaints or potential violations; seek compliance with air pollution statutes and regulations through written and personal contact; issue warning notices and citations; and conduct follow up inspections. One of the positions will be required to work after normal business hours, weekends, and/or holidays.

Air Pollution Control Specialist - I                     #2022-14527-01

Air Pollution Control Specialist - II                    #2022-14528-01  

Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at Level I, Level II or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications for each recruitment.

The eligible list created by this recruitment may be used to fill future county-wide vacancies for both temporary/extra-help and permanent positions.

*Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view General benefits

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To enforce Federal, State and local air pollution laws and regulations through investigation, inspection and follow up activities, including citation issuance; and to communicate with the public regarding compliance and enforcement.

This is the full journey level class within the Air Pollution Control Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the Air Pollution Control Specialist I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and they are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

Receives direction from the Principal or Senior Air Pollution Control Engineer.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigate complaints; conduct field inspections based on complaints or potential violations; seek compliance with air pollution statutes and regulations through written and personal contact; issue warning notices and citations; conduct follow up inspections.
• Install, maintain and operate air monitoring equipment; monitor, collect and analyze air monitoring emission data.
• Explain air pollution statutes and regulations and general information to the general public, business concerns and print media in the field, by telephone or in the office; coordinate with other County departments and with outside agencies as needed. 
• Develop, coordinate, implement and track transportation and indirect source emissions control strategies and plans; review, evaluate and comment upon the impact and effects of proposed land use and transportation alternatives; plan, develop and implement the means of achieving emissions reductions and mitigation strategies; review and evaluate Environmental Impact Reports, legislation, and land and transportation studies; work with other government agencies and community groups to coordinate, promote and track the progress of air pollution reduction measures.
• Review applications for and issue permits, including vapor recovery authority to construct applications and burn permits.
• Maintain accurate data records and case files; prepare documents and correspondence as necessary.
• Monitor annual source tests; monitor and document underground fuel storage tank installation and removal; perform annual inspection of underground storage tanks known to be in operation; conduct tests to detect possible leakage. 
• Prepare related reports and studies. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible air pollution investigation and enforcement experience performing duties similar to an Air Pollution Control Specialist I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any of the biological or physical sciences, environmental health science, engineering or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Note: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of physics, chemistry, mathematics and the physical sciences.
• Principles and practices of research and statistical methodology.
• Principles and practices of air pollution planning as necessary for the position assigned.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• State and local laws and regulations pertaining to air pollution control.
• Operation, policies and procedures of the Air Pollution Control Department.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, analyze air pollution control situations/problems and develop solutions; interpret and enforce statutes and regulations, identify violations, including seeing visible emissions; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On a continuous basis, walk, stand, climb and bend in the field.  Occasionally kneel and run; write or use a keyboard to communicate; regularly lift heavy weight.
• Operate various surveillance and recording equipment; operate hand tools, compressed gas bottles, pressure regulators and flow meters.
• Simultaneously investigate multiple inquiries, investigations and field inspections and accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records.
• Compile, analyze and evaluate technical information and prepare recommendations regarding further action. 
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview and work firmly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, facsimile machine, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 
• Independently interpret and enforce air pollution statutes and regulations. 
• Perform difficult or sensitive investigations and inspections and prepare findings and recommendations for action by higher authority. 
• Obtain a California Air Resources Board Visible Emission Certificate within twelve months of appointment.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Madeline Durham, Administrative Technician, at mdurham@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.