Research Scientist ; Air Pollution

Duties Description

Under the general direction and supervision of the Director of BAQAR, the incumbent will serve as Chief of a new EJSL Compliance Section, carrying out the assigned tasks independently, and initiating research work consistent with the Division’s goals and regulatory framework. The incumbent will be responsible for developing guidance, supporting regulatory rule development, and advancing the research and analytical components of the EJSL as it applies to public health and environmental impacts from permitted air pollution sources.

The incumbent will supervise other Research Scientists and seasonal employees on conducting research on existing environmental and public health stressors, disproportionate burdens, data interpretation for cumulative impact assessments, and communication of information to the public. The incumbent working in collaboration with other DAR permitting staff will support the Division’s role in permitting decisions and mitigation strategies to reduce air pollution and quality of life issues in DACs.

• Oversee staff research on DAC indicators, emissions data, source attribution, exposure/impact evaluations, air pollution mitigation strategies, and technical support to permit writers.
• Keep abreast of research, cumulative impact analysis, and other state program and rule development to reduce disproportionate impacts in DACs.
• Continue to support the overall CLCPA goal to reduce emissions in DACs by representing DAR in interagency mitigation strategy development for disadvantaged communities per the Community Air Monitoring Initiative.
• Evaluate the utility of incorporating EPA’s National Emission Inventory and Air Tox Screen  data in the EJSL efforts to identify higher risk areas in DACs.
• Oversee staff research on the development of mapping tools for DAR’s EJSL guidance and implementation.
• Research mechanisms for streamlining implementation of EJSL.
• Collaborate with NYS Department of Health and NYS DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice on health risk and EJ/DAC assessments.

• Supervise and assign workloads to the EJSL Compliance Section staff.
• Lead the development and implementation of DAR’s EJSL guidance.
• Oversee existing disproportionate burden and cumulative impact analyses to ensure consistent EJSL implementation across permits.
• Coordinate with Regional staff and Permitting and Compliance, Enforcement, and Impact Assessment and Meteorology Sections to evaluate direct emissions and air pollution impacts.
• Track facilities contributing to high burdens in DACs and coordinate with permitting and enforcement staff on compliance history.
• Work with Bureau of Mobile Sources & Technology Development and Bureau of Air Quality Planning staff to evaluate indirect emissions.
• Coordinate with OEJ to maintain DAC mapping tools and criteria.
• Support OEJ’s community engagement for permitting.
• Develop DAR EJSL training.
• Support future regulatory analysis and rule development for EJSL such as an indirect source rule.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree and five years of professional research experience in atmospheric science, chemistry, environmental chemistry, environmental health, environmental sciences, or public health. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Substitution options: A Master’s Degree in an appropriate field described above may substitute for one year of experience, and a Ph.D. in an appropriate field may substitute for an additional year of experience.
• Area of Specialty is Air Pollution.
• Preference will be given to candidates who possess experience in environmental health, community air quality studies, air pollution exposure and health risk assessment methods, environmental justice research and disproportionate burden analysis, data interpretation, and community outreach.

Preferred Additional Qualifications

• Familiarity with New York State DAC criteria and experience with integrating environmental, health, and demographic datasets used to understand cumulative burden analyses.
• Prior work with air quality impact assessments, community air monitoring, evaluating air pollution…