Principal Air Pollution Control Engineer

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This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

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.

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

To perform highly responsible and complex engineering work in air pollution evaluation and control to ensure public and private compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; to supervise the activities of District's professional and technical staff; to provide complex technical assistance to the Director of Air Pollution Control; and to act for the Director of Air Pollution Control in his/her absence.

The Principal level recognizes positions that provide full second-line, direct supervision to employees within a department and/or assume substantive and significant programmatic responsibility in a defined area or specialty.  The Principal Air Pollution Control Engineer is the highest level in the Air Pollution Control Engineer series and is responsible for supervising all professional and technical staff of the District.  Positions at this level are further distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, and by the amount of time spent performing the most complex duties.  Employees are expected to perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including representing the District to the public, outside agencies and governing bodies.

Receives general direction from higher-level management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical personnel.

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

• Recommend and assist in the implementation of District goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for daily activities and operations; implement policies and procedures.
• Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise and review the work of professional and technical staff for the District.
• Plan, organize, and supervise the implementation of air pollution control enforcement policies and procedure in order to comply with State and Federal standards; direct enforcement proceedings; and negotiate the settlement of violations.
• Develop, implement and supervise permit evaluation, permit issuance, and compliance/enforcement activities; consult with industry, public and other regulatory representatives; explain policies and procedures related to permit evaluations.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Develop and prepare grants, contracts, permit fee regulations, and other sources of revenue; monitor budgets and expenditures related to program objectives and compliance with grant and contract guidelines and budgeted appropriations.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for equipment and supplies; oversee acquisition of equipment and supplies; monitor and control expenditures.
• Perform the most complex and sensitive air quality engineering activities, including supervising the conduct of a variety of special studies and surveys, review and evaluate complex permit applications; develop and process related permits.
• Assist in the planning and development of air pollution control strategies for attainment and maintenance of Federal and State air quality standards.
• Assist in the planning and revision of Air Pollution Control District rules and regulations; prepare documentation and make recommendations for hearings; develop and present reports to Federal, State and local regulatory agencies; provide complex staff assistance to the Air Pollution Control Officer.
• Represent the Air Pollution Control District and the County at board, committee and public meetings as necessary; answer questions and provide information regarding District activities and/or decisions.
• Prepare a variety of related memos, letters and correspondence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Oversee computer activities, including the selections and purchase of software and hardware, training staff on applications and systems, and maintenance of software programs and files.
• 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: Five years of responsible air pollution control engineer experience, of which at least three years have been performing duties similar to an Associate Air Pollution Control Engineer with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil, chemical, environmental or mechanical engineering or a related field.

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

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.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of environmental engineering.
• Principles and practices of policy development and implementation.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Principle and methods of air pollution control equipment, processes systems.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and report writing.
• Computer systems and their application to air pollution control.
• The relationship of Federal and State air pollution control programs to local government programs.
• Principles and practices of research, analysis and management.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; analyze budget and technical reports; know laws, regulations, and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; observe and problem solve operations and technical policy and procedures.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; walk, stand, kneel, climb and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; regularly lift heavy weight.
• Organize, direct and implement activities of the Engineering and Permitting Section.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Interpret and explain Federal, State and local policies procedures and laws.
• Prepare and present reports to regulatory agencies and the general public.
• Perform work on a computer using engineering related software.
• Analyze, evaluate and interpret complex, technical data.

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 credit check, 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 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful 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 the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, 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), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. 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 Kristen Cannon, Administrative Technician, at kcannon@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4661.