Air Quality Assurance Officer

Job Description - Air Quality Assurance Officer )

We are looking for a Quality Assurance (QA) Officer to join the Air Quality Bureau within the Air, Energy, Mining Division. This position serves as the independent quality assurance management function for Montana’s Ambient Air Monitoring Program and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the federally required ambient air monitoring quality system. The QA Officer provides independent oversight of the program to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations as well as DEQ quality management policies.

The position requires sufficient technical expertise and management authority to assess, evaluate, and report on the implementation of the monitoring program’s quality system.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the statewide quality system for Montana’s Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program.
• Develop, evaluate, and approve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other quality assurance documentation for ambient air monitoring activities.
• Conduct independent system audits through on‑site inspections and comprehensive evaluations of monitoring measurement systems to assess compliance with established regulations.
• Perform scientific and statistical evaluations of monitoring data to assess data quality and determine whether data are of sufficient type, quality, and quantity to support data quality objectives.
• Prepare technical reports, audit findings, corrective action recommendations, and quality assurance assessments.
• Serve as the principal investigator and primary author of the Annual Monitoring Network Plan and Data Certification.
• Collaborate with monitoring staff, program managers, and regulatory agencies while maintaining the independence required to objectively evaluate program performance and data quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, biology, atmospheric science or physics, or a related field.
• Five years of job‑related experience in atmospheric chemistry or physics, quality assurance and quality control, field sampling, and/or meteorology.
• Current valid Driver’s License and clean driving record in accordance with State of Montana Vehicle Use Policy.
• Other combinations of education and experience may be accepted on a case‑by‑case basis.

Benefits

• Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan.
• Telework eligible – full‑time telework not available; telework schedule must be supervisor approved.
• Annual salary: $63,960.00 – $78,000.00.
• 20% travel requirement.
• Effective July 1st, 2026, an employee increase of $1.00 per hour or 2.5% will apply, whichever is greater.
• Effective February 23, 2026, the agency participates in E‑Verify. Employees completing Form I‑9 will be verified.

• Cover Letter
• Resume

• Tiffany Daley (Email: Tiffany.Daley | Phone: 406‑444‑4218)

The State of Montana does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.