Position Information

What We Offer

When you join us you become part of an engaging and rewarding work environment where you gain the satisfaction of knowing that you are working to better your community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our team, District operations, and the communities we serve
• Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• A paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $1,500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• A contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
• May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment

The NoSoCo Air District

Located off the square in beautiful downtown Healdsburg, the NoSoCoAir District is one of 35 local air pollution control districts in the State of California. Working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the District is responsible for permitting stationary sources, monitoring ambient (outdoor) air quality, community incentive programs, and the compliance and enforcement of federal, state, and District rules and regulations in the geographic region of Northern Sonoma County. The Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) and his team of five, work in the office and remotely to diligently support NoSoCoAir's clean air mission to reduce air pollutants. Please visit the District's website to learn more about the valuable services they provide which promote and protect our communities' health, welfare, quality of life, and ecological resources.

The District's compact team of dedicated individuals works both independently and collaboratively with each other to implement and enhance public and environmental health and safety air quality mandates and programs. Under the supervision of the Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) and the guidance of the Air Quality Engineer, the Assistant Air Quality Engineer (AAEQ) evaluates, issues, reviews, and processes new, modified, and retroactive permits; develops and maintains computerized data on permits and fees; produces the annual emissions inventory and ambient air quality trends analysis; and assists with grant budgeting and processing. The AAQE uses sound judgment and initiative in developing effective solutions to problems, interpreting general policies, and has a lead role in the implementation of the District's open burn program.

To become the newest contributing member of his team, the APCO is seeking an ideal candidate who:

• Is comfortable applying good air pollution control program principles and reviewing industrial processes via written narrative, process flow diagrams, and in-person onsite inspections
• Can correctly interpret federal, state, and District air pollution rules and regulations and explain them to non-technical persons
• Has empathy, tact, and an aptitude for building effective working relationships with the public, regulatory agencies, other entities, and elected officials
• Has experience working in local government and/or under a Board of Directors
• Demonstrates the correct balance with permitted industry in regard to implementing compliance and providing support and fostering ongoing and constructive collaboration
• Is comfortable working in a small office setting where stepping in to help other members of the team is encouraged and helps keep the office running smoothly
• Possesses a smoke certification for Visible Emissions (VE)

Please note that the AAQE works outdoors and indoors in an office setting. Due to the nature of the work the AAQE performs, incumbents are required to drive the District car or the pickup truck which is equipped with a ladder rack. The AAQE performs facility inspections at industrial sites or complaint investigations in the field which requires driving to a variety of locations within the District territory. The AAQE provides secondary support for the District’s ambient air monitoring sites that are located on flat one-story rooftops and require the safe use of a ladder for access. When visiting facilities, monitoring sites, or out in the field, the AAQE utilizes proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and may encounter inclement weather. The AAQE typically works a Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm schedule, or upon approval of the APCO may telework with a flex schedule. On rare occasions, the AAQE may work briefly in the evening or weekend to assess and/or remedy a critical monitor equipment malfunction and/or assist during emergency events.

While not required at the time of application submission, a candidate for the AQE position needs to be able to obtain a smoke certification for Visible Emissions (VE) to perform compliance and field inspections.

The District is currently recruiting to fill the AAQE position. The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. All District staff are hired through the County of Sonoma Civil Service System.

• Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Western Council of Engineers Memorandum Of Understanding (WCE MOU) and our Employee Benefits directory.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university in civil, chemical, environmental or mechanical engineering or related field.

AND

Experience: One year of journey-level, post-graduation engineering experience in air pollution evaluation and control.

Licenses: Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license.

Certificate: Possession of or eligibility to obtain a California Certified Smoke Reader's Certificate.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: engineering principles, methods, practices and equipment used in determining, evaluating and controlling sources of air pollution; rules and regulations concerning air pollution control, including the Federal Clean Air Act, California air pollution control laws and Northern Sonoma County Air Pollution Control District Rules and Regulations; the methods of collecting and analyzing air and stack gas samples; the design and use of atmosphere pollution control devices; the purposes and procedures of various public and private agencies involved in air quality and their inter-relationships; air quality plan components and methods of calculating impacts of air pollution control measures; basic computer principles and applications.

Ability to: review, interpret and evaluate air pollution control engineering plans and test data; climb stairs, ladders, scaffolding and fairly steep hillsides, carrying light to moderately weighted equipment; conduct research and special studies of air pollution control; prepare accurate and concise oral and written reports and summaries; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; organize and coordinate staff activities; develop, analyze, interpret and apply laws, regulations, and technical material pertaining to air pollution control; develop basic computer programs to meet District needs; deal tactfully and effectively in public and private meetings, group discussions and individual interviews with people of varying technical skills, including representatives of government, industry and the public.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation may be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CG
HR Technician: EV/KK