Air Quality Inspector I

SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW

South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!

South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment will be open from March 4, 2025, through April 30, 2025. However, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the application period may close at any time. The first round of application review will take place the week of April 30, 2025. All candidates hired will be required to attend a multi-week New Inspector Training course tentatively scheduled to begin in August 2025 at South Coast AQMD Headquarters in Diamond Bar. Once completed, inspectors can be assigned to a work area in any city within South Coast AQMD’s four-county jurisdiction.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

South Coast AQMD is committed to protecting the health and safety of the residents of the South Coast Air Basin through an extensive and robust enforcement program. Our inspectors are responsible for inspecting businesses and other sources of air pollution to evaluate compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, permit requirements, and state and federal laws. The types of facilities that our enforcement teams inspect include large power plants and refineries; industrial, commercial, and manufacturing operations of all sizes; retail gasoline service stations; landfills and waste disposal facilities; demolition and construction sites; and portable engines and equipment. Inspectors also respond to public complaints, participate in responses to air quality incidents, and conduct many different types of investigative activities.

Conducting inspections and investigations of commercial and industrial processes (which may involve climbing ladders) and investigating emission release points on building rooftops or equipment stacks; operating and maintaining monitoring equipment to evaluate the presence of emissions; using a respirator and other personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, hard hats, safety shoes, or protective suits; identifying instances of noncompliance with air pollution rules and regulations, permit requirements, and state and federal laws - and taking appropriate and consistent enforcement action when necessary; issuing notices to sources found to be in noncompliance; educating owners and operators of commercial and industrial sources about achieving and maintaining compliance; informing and educating the community about South Coast AQMD’s compliance program and air quality complaint reporting system; responding to and investigating public complaints of air contaminants; analyzing and determining the cause and nature of air contaminant emissions; observing emissions testing of sources; documenting findings and preparing detailed reports on inspections and investigations; developing recommendations regarding new or proposed rules; preparing materials for and conducting training classes; assisting in the preparation of cases and providing testimony before South Coast AQMD's Hearing Board; providing testimony in court on civil and criminal air pollution cases; representing South Coast AQMD and OCE at meetings, conferences, and public and private agency meetings and responding to inquires; and performing other related duties assigned.

Inspectors are assigned South Coast AQMD vehicles that they take home and use for work-related travel to and from their work location and/or facilities within their assigned geographic areas. Inspectors may be assigned to work in any area at any time within South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction.

CAREER PATH

Air Quality Inspector I is the entry-level class in the agency’s Inspector classification series. Persons in this class receive extensive training to perform routine inspections and complaint investigations and will progress to more difficult assignments while acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge for promotion to the next level.

Following two years of successful performance as an Air Quality Inspector I, employees who have demonstrated readiness for promotion to the next level may be promoted without competition to Air Quality Inspector II. A bachelor's degree may substitute for six months of the required two years of experience for this promotion. There are other higher-level classifications in the Inspector job series and promotion to these positions is through a competitive process.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to this link here .

• Conducts rule specific inspections and complaint investigations of commercial and industrial equipment, machines, control devices, materials, and processes to determine compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations.
• Issues notices to owners and operators of commercial and industrial sources to ensure compliance with air pollution laws, regulations and rules.
• Analyzes and determines the cause and nature of air contaminant emissions; coordinates the physical testing of sources and reinspects sources found in non-compliance.
• Prepares various reports to record the findings of inspections and complaint investigation activities; assists or develops recommendations on the implementation, effectiveness and enforceability of new or proposed air pollution rules.
• Learns and applies a variety of inspections and investigation methods and techniques on petroleum and industrial equipment and processes that require the knowledge, interpretation and application of a variety of laws, regulations, and rules in determining compliance.
• Assists in the preparation of Hearing Board cases or recommends variance conditions to ensure compliance with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations.
• Provides testimony in court or administrative hearings on civil and criminal air pollution cases when requested. Works closely with South Coast AQMD engineers and legal counsel in resolving a variety of air pollution problems.
• Represents South Coast AQMD and Division at meetings, conferences and public and private agency meetings and responds to inquiries; provides information on South Coast AQMD rules, regulations, and procedures as necessary.
• May assist in the training and provide technical guidance to new personnel.

MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications that follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will also possess the following:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or a related field.
• Relevant work experience that demonstrates directly transferable skills will be considered more competitive than unrelated experience. However, recent graduates with directly related degrees will also be given consideration.
• A consistent employment history and/or strong academic performance, with grades of "C" or higher in core coursework, is important.
• The ability to analyze emission sources, identify potential compliance issues, and determine adherence to air quality regulations.
• Strong analytical and learning skills to understand complex technical information, rules, and regulations, and effectively apply them in inspections and compliance assessments.
• The ability to clearly communicate technical information to a diverse audience in simple and understandable terms. Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, patience, and diplomacy, are essential for engaging with business owners and the public, even in challenging situations.
• A high level of personal and professional ethics (which will be assessed during the interview process and through professional references).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Bilingual abilities are a plus.
• The ability to climb ladders, conduct inspections on rooftops, and carry or operate portable monitoring and sampling equipment in the field. Inspectors may also be required to wear respirators.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Training and experience which would demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities to apply inspection methods and techniques to air pollution emission control equipment and processes; knowledge of engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and physics principles and concepts; knowledge of commercial and industrial equipment and processes; South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations; and safety and hazardous practices and procedures.

Ability to learn, interpret and apply South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, State Health and Safety codes, and federal laws and regulations to equipment, processes, and materials to determine compliance with air quality standards; analyze and inspect equipment and processes and prepare reports and other supporting information; communicate in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing; understand and follow verbal and written instructions; maintain and establish effective working relationships with public and private agency representatives, members of the public, and South Coast AQMD personnel; operate and maintain a variety of equipment, detectors, and sampling devices.

Evidence of the required knowledges, skills and abilities will be demonstrated by the completion of at least 34 semester (51 quarter) units of core courses from an accredited college or university required for a major in engineering, chemistry, mathematics, physics or a related field, OR one year of experience as an Air Quality Inspector.

LICENSE: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License.

CERTIFICATION: Visible Emission Evaluation Certification, Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Certification, Breathing Apparatus Certification, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification may be required of some positions in the class.

DRIVING RECORD: Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to submit a driving record, in the form of a K-4 report from the DMV, at the candidate's cost. Further details on how to obtain this report will be provided at that time.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:
A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test, and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question. Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers .An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application* .
*You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application . At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.

Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application packets, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to a multiple-choice examination, to be rated on a pass/fail basis. Candidates who pass the exam will advance to the next step in the process, which may include a panel interview. (Please note that all assessments will be conducted remotely).

Following the assessment process, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which the current vacancy may be filled, during the 6-12-month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.)

Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.

TECHNICAL & ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

Monthly Benefit Allotment

$1,912, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 dyas of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.

Medical Health Plans

Blue Shield PPO

Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)

Blue Shield HMO

Kaiser HMO

Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)

Dental Plans

Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)

Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)

DeltaCare (PMI) Dental

Vision Plan

EyeMed - Optional

Life Insurance

$10,000 Term Life Insurance

(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are available to all employees and their familes at no cost to you. The EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Confidential Therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Optional

Section 125

Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)

Work Schedule

Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday

Vacation

80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years

Holidays

13 paid holidays per year

Sick Leave

100 hours per year

Other Leaves

Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness

Tuition Reimbursement

Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)

Optional (Employee may contribute up to the IRS maximum). South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, up to $300 per year for the regular plan.

Retirement

2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan - Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.

1/1/2024

Closing Date/Time: 4/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

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• South Coast Air Quality Management District

• 909-396-2800

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