Air Pollution Specialist

Overview

Under the close supervision of the Policy Unit Manager, the Air Pollution Specialist (Environmental Policy Specialist) primarily provides support on the implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The position supports the CEQA Judicial Streamlining Program, assists the Governor in determining whether statutory criteria for certification have been met, and reviews applications to recommend certification to the Governor’s Office. The Specialist also helps develop CEQA Technical Advisories, updates CEQA guidelines, and contributes to broader policy efforts related to climate change, land use, and environmental health.

• Provide technical analysis and guidance to support the implementation of CEQA and the CEQA Judicial Streamlining Program, which combines the SB 7 Environmental Leadership Development Program and the SB 149 Infrastructure Streamlining Program.
• Review judicial streamlining applications, assess statutory requirements, verify technical accuracy, and recommend mitigation measures to the Governor’s Office.
• Assist the Policy Unit in producing CEQA Technical Advisories, updating guidelines, and other CEQA policy‑related work.
• Apply knowledge of carbon sequestration, soil health, and greenhouse‑gas (GHG) emission quantification or inventories to support policy development.
• Support the department’s broader goals in ecosystem health, climate‑change mitigation, infill development, transportation efficiency, housing affordability, economic development, climate resiliency, and social and racial equity.

• Experience with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA policy documents.
• Knowledge of carbon sequestration practices, soil health, and greenhouse‑gas emissions.
• Familiarity with GHG inventory building or emissions quantification.
• Strong analytical, research, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to develop and communicate technical recommendations to diverse audiences.

• Expertise in state or local land‑use planning, regional planning, sustainability, and climate‑change policy.
• Experience conducting air‑quality, GHG, or environmental analyses for CEQA compliance.
• Knowledge of soil science and living systems (water, nitrogen, carbon).
• Qualitative and quantitative research skills, including literature review, data collection design, and report writing.
• Familiarity with regeneration principles and ecosystem health.
• Experience managing deadline‑driven, collaborative processes with multiple partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and consensus‑building skills, with a history of navigating complex policy issues.
• Commitment to an inclusive, equitable work environment.

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 10 lbs. occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly. Work is predominantly seated with occasional walking or standing. Occasional travel up to 15% may be required.

Minimum qualifications are detailed in the Classification Specification. The position pays within the range for Level C of the classification.

The State of California is an equal‑opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. California law requires a drug‑free workplace and prohibits discrimination on the basis of any protected characteristic.