Air Pollution Specialist

Job Description and Duties

The Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Data Quality Assurance Section in the Program Planning and Management Branch has a vacant Air Pollution Specialist (APS) position for which it is seeking highly competent candidates with experience and expertise in natural and working lands GHG quantification and emissions reduction methods. The Section is responsible for ensuring the impartiality and quality of third-party verifications and will oversee third-party verifications performed as required by Senate Bill 27: Carbon sequestration: state goals: natural and working lands: registry of projects (SB 27).

Under direction of the Air Resources I, the APS applies scientific methods and principles in the identification, study, and solution of air pollution problems. The APS designs, conducts, and evaluates methods to reduce GHG emissions from natural and working lands. The APS specifically focuses on forests, floodplains and wetlands, coastal habitats, agriculture, and urban lands. This candidate will work in coordination with the California Natural Resources Agency to develop the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, as required by SB 27, and will also play a lead role in establishing carbon dioxide removal targets for 2030 and beyond, while considering the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, science-based data, cost-effectiveness, and technological feasibility in setting the targets.

The candidate will support CARB’s efforts in developing policy through technical and policy analysis, and quantifying the costs, benefits, and equity implications of natural and working lands policies. Additionally, the candidate will identify research needs that advance CARB’s understanding of cutting-edge issues in natural and working lands. The candidate will engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to, public agencies, research institutions, equity stakeholders, developers, industry, and other CARB staff, management, and executive leadership teams. This candidate must understand the complexities of natural and working lands and the roles that policy, technology, and the natural environment play. The candidate should also be aware of the social equity implications of natural and workin glands policies and be able to develop strategies accordingly.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.).  
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Travel may be required.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

The candidate must have strong communication skills, with an ability to speak and write effectively using direct, concise, and non-technical language, and must be able to interact diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders and collaborators. The candidate should be comfortable making presentations and communicating to non-technical persons. The candidate must be organized and possess well-developed project management skills, allowing them to manage multiple high-priority assignments under accelerated and competing deadlines, be adaptable to a rapidly changing policy and political environment, and be comfortable with a flexible and highly collaborative management structure based on cross-branch project teams. The candidate must be committed to working closely with other CARB staff, government agencies, academics, and other stakeholders. We are looking for a team player with a positive attitude and sense of humor.You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.  

• Nearby (third-party) Parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Gym
• Daycare facility
• Located near to Golden 1 Center

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter: 

  Please include a cover letter that expresses your interest in this position. Cover Letter to not exceed one page in length.