Air Quality Specialist - I

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The Placer County Air Pollution Control District is accepting applications for Air Quality Specialist I and II to fill two permanent full-time vacancies in Auburn, CA.

The Grants and Incentives Section is recruiting one permanent/full-time Air Quality Specialist to assist with administering the District’s grant and incentive programs. Responsibilities may include evaluating grant project applications; conducting project inspections; monitoring project implementation; developing program documents; and participating in community outreach events. The position will work closely with grant applicants to support successful project implementation and ensure compliance with program requirements. The position may also be assigned duties in other areas of the District’s air quality programs, such as the burn program, emissions inventory, air monitoring, or air quality planning, based on organizational needs. This position may be filled at either the I or II level. 

The Compliance and Enforcement Section is recruiting one permanent/full-time Air Quality Specialist and one temporary/extra help* Air Quality Specialist to respond to and investigate complaints from the public about air pollution, 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. This position will require participation in a rotating on-call schedule during non-business hours, including weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays to respond to and investigate complaints from the public about air pollution. This position may be filled at either the I or II level.

To be considered for the I level, the II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment. 

Air Quality Specialist - I            2026-14527-01

Air Quality Specialist - II           2026-14528-01

The eligible list established as a result of this recruitment may be used to fill additional vacancies as they arise, for both temporary/extra-help* and permanent positions, subject to position-specific requirements. 

*Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to 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 Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) 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 quality laws and regulations through investigation, inspection, monitoring, and follow up activities, including citation issuance; to administer grant and incentive programs; and to communicate with the public regarding compliance and enforcement.

This is the entry level class in the Air Quality Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives immediate supervision from supervisory or management staff.

• Investigate public complaints regarding air quality and concerns; interview complainants; conduct field inspections based on public complaints or potential violations.
• Seek compliance from permitted and non-permitted sources with federal, state, or local air quality laws, rules, and regulations; issue warning notices and citations; conduct follow up inspections.
• Install, inspect, maintain, repair, and operate air monitoring equipment; monitor, collect, and analyze air monitoring emission data from a variety of sources; investigate equipment breakdown reports.
• Inspect non-permitted sources to determine if a permit is required; educate facility owner(s) on permit application process, as needed.
• Develop, coordinate, implement, and monitor 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; review and evaluate Environmental Impact Reports, legislation, and land and transportation studies; work with other government agencies and community groups to coordinate, promote, and monitor the progress of air pollution reduction measures.
• Review applications for and issue permits, including vapor recovery Authority to Construct (ATC) applications and burn permits.
• Maintain accurate data records and case, program, and project 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. 
• Perform visible emissions evaluations to determine compliance with air quality standards.
• Calculate emissions reductions, analyze cost-effectiveness, and assess emissions inventories.
• Receive, log, review, process, and evaluate grant application submissions in accordance with established procedures, statutory requirements, and program guidelines; determine eligibility and prepare recommendations for grant awards.
• Review contracts, amendments, and related documents for grant-funded projects for accuracy, compliance, and alignment with program objectives; perform inspections to ensure compliance with program and grant requirements.
• Develop and prepare marketing materials, conduct outreach activities, deliver presentations, and engage with businesses, community groups, and the public to promote grant opportunities and air quality programs.
• Represent the District to other agencies, organizations, businesses, and the public; respond to requests for information; promote the District's mission and goals.
• Explain air quality statutes, regulations, incentive programs, and general information to the public, businesses, and media.
• Prepare technical reports and studies.
• Coordinate with other County departments and outside agencies as needed.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of effective 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: No professional experience is required.

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.

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:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a California Air Resources Board Visible Emission Evaluation (VEE) Certificate within six (6) months of employment, as required by the position.
• 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 of physics, chemistry, mathematics and the physical sciences.
• Principles and practices of research and statistical methodology.
• Principles and practices of air quality planning as necessary for the position assigned.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer hardware and software applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, identify, interpret, understand, analyze, apply, recall, and explain policies and procedures, technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, special projects, and pertinent air quality laws, rules, and regulations; observe and problem-solve operational and technical policies and procedures; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time; analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action; maintain awareness of safety at all times; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in vehicle for long periods of time. Intermittently walk, stand, balance, climb, stoop, kneel, squat, crouch, twist, reach, and bend to reach equipment surrounding desk and to perform field work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift heavy weight.
• Operate various surveillance and recording equipment, hand tools, compressed gas bottles, pressure regulators, and flow meters.
• Accurately document findings and maintain appropriate records.
• Compile, analyze, and evaluate technical information and prepare recommendations regarding further action. 
• Prepare and present materials related to air quality rules, regulations, and programs.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview and interact fairly and courteously with the public.
• Use a computer and standard office equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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.

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.

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.

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.