Principal Air Quality Engineer

Overview

The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency committed to achieving clean air to protect public health and the environment. We regulate industrial facilities and administer outreach and incentive programs to encourage clean air choices across seven counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Napa) plus portions of Solano and Sonoma. We strive for a diverse, inclusive workplace with pay equity, work-life balance, and opportunities for growth.

We are accepting applications for the position of Principal Air Quality Engineer
, for three full-time, represented positions: one in the Regulatory Development Division and two in the Engineering Division.

The job description below outlines division-specific responsibilities and program focus, as well as qualifications and application details.

The Regulatory Development Division works with staff, management, executives, and Board members to develop and modify Air District rules to provide emissions reductions, improve air quality, and protect the climate. The Principal Air Quality Engineer for the Regulatory Development Division will:

• work closely with professional and technical staff to perform and lead complex program assignments for developing regulations to control air pollutants (including those contributing to climate change and local air quality impacts in overburdened communities)
• work with the California Air Resources Board, other local air districts, community groups, community members, environmental organizations, regulated industries, and other key stakeholders to reduce harmful air pollutants, especially in communities overburdened by air pollution
• lead, conduct, and coordinate scientific, economic, and technical research work
• review and draft regulatory language, develop and implement cost effectiveness and incremental cost effectiveness calculations for a wide variety of sources in an industry with various control options
• analyze emissions inventories to determine baseline emissions and reduction estimates for rules under development
• brief Air District executives and present at workshops and board meetings
• work closely with the Community Engagement Division staff and other Air District divisions to strengthen partnerships with key community stakeholders
• perform related work as assigned

The Engineering Division evaluates permit applications and reviews permit renewals for equipment and operations that emit air pollutants within the Air District’s jurisdiction. It provides technical support to other programs and assists businesses, trade associations, agencies, environmental groups, and community members with permitting and compliance issues. The division is responsible for implementing the Air District’s Facility Risk Reduction Program to reduce health risks from existing facilities or sources.

The position will work on the Air District’s Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC) Control Programs, designed to identify, assess, and reduce public exposure to toxic air contaminants. The programs integrate federal, state, and local regulations to:

• Monitor and evaluate TAC emissions from permitted facilities through annual emissions inventories and health risk assessments
• Implement the Air Toxics New Source Review (NSR) program, requiring preconstruction review and risk assessment for new or modified TAC sources
• Operate Facility Risk Reduction Programs, targeting existing facilities to identify, assess, and reduce health risks, especially in communities with disproportionate air quality impacts
• Engage with community stakeholders and provide transparent access to emissions data and health risk information through annual reports and online tools

These efforts have led to significant reductions in health risks from toxic air contaminants across the Bay Area. The Engineering Division also engages in programs and projects including, but not limited to:

• Dispersion modeling and health risk assessments for toxic emissions
• Verification of emissions inventories
• Database development and data management
• Development of new regulations or amendments of existing…