Job Details

The mission of the Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) is to Protect Public and Environmental Health while balancing Economic and Air Quality Considerations.

MBARD is responsible for air monitoring, permitting, enforcement, long-range air quality planning, regulatory development, education and public information activities related to air pollution, as required by the California Clean Air Act and Amendments (HSC Section 40910 et seq.) and the Federal Clean Air Act and Amendments (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.).

California Health and Safety Code Sections 39002, et seq. and 40000, et seq. require local districts to be the primary enforcement mechanism for air pollution control. Districts must have rules and regulations for the implementation and enforcement for the attainment and maintenance of federal and state ambient air standards.

MBARD invites you to apply for the AIR QUALITY ENGINEER I/II position.

Air Quality Engineer I or II (nonexempt position represented by SEIU Local 521)

Level I:   $45.75 - $55.61 per hour in 5 steps

Level II:  $53.10 - $64.55 per hour in 5 steps

To Apply:           Cover letter, employment application, and responses to supplemental questions can be completed on our   

                             website at https://www.mbard.org/employment or mailed to our office below: 

                             Administrative Services Manager 

                             Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) 

                             24580 Silver Cloud Court

                             Monterey, CA 93940

Background checks are required prior to the final job offer.

Due Date:   Application materials must be received by 4:45 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2025.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.  We are not a sponsoring agency

Complete Job Descriptions available on our website.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under immediate or general supervision, learns to perform and performs professional engineering reviews of emission sources; evaluates permit applications for Authority to Construct (ATC) and Permits to Operate (PTO) and recommends approval or denial; reviews design of air pollution control equipment associated with industrial or commercial processes; evaluates emission inventory plans and reports; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

The Air Quality Engineer I receives immediate supervision from the Supervising Air Quality Engineer.  Exercises no supervision of staff. 

The Air Quality Engineer II receives general supervision from the Supervising Air Quality Engineer.  Provides functional and technical direction to lower-level staff.

Class Characteristics

The Air Quality Engineer I is the entry-level class in the Air Quality Engineer series that allows the incumbent to develop journey level knowledge and abilities.  Initially, under immediate supervision, incumbents perform the more routine and less complex assignments within an established procedural framework, where there are minimal consequences of error, including assisting more experienced engineers, while learning the permit evaluation process, standards, and procedures.  Independent assignments consist of the less complex permit evaluations.  This classification is alternatively staffed with Air Quality Engineer II and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualifications of the higher- level class.  Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.  Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern.  Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

The Air Quality Engineer II is the journey level class in the Air Quality Engineer series in which incumbents are expected to independently perform the full scope of engineering assignments related to controlling industrial and commercial sources of air pollution, including special engineering studies and projects. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising more independent judgment and initiative.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the next higher classification of Air Quality Engineer III in that the latter is the advanced journey-level class in the series and may have project or program management responsibilities, which include organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of others participating in technically complex programs such as the Federal Operating Permits Program and Toxics Emission Inventory and Risk Assessment Program. Additionally, at the higher level of Air Quality Engineer III, incumbents are expected to perform the most complex duties assigned to the work unit, requiring specialized knowledge and/or the ability to perform special assignments. The level III reflects the application of skills above that required of a journey level engineer, such as rule development and handling the most difficult, sensitive, or critical projects.

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Reviews permit applications for Authority to Construct (ATC) and Permits to Operate (PTO); interviews applicants and assists them with the application process; reviews design of air pollution controls associated with the industrial or commercial process; analyzes operational procedures to determine control of emissions; calculates emissions rates associated with permit; creates and/or maintains inventory of criteria air pollutants for stationary sources; identifies and evaluates or prepares toxic air contaminant and risk assessment determinations; checks applicant's compliance with District rules and regulations; generates equipment list.
• Conducts field inspections on manufacturing, commercial, and industrial sources including dry cleaners, gasoline stations, automotive coating facilities, and businesses with internal combustion engines. 
• Inspects new or existing sources of air contaminants and evaluates effectiveness of control equipment; determines compliance and identifies problems.
• Generates air dispersion models and conducts health risk assessments for each ATC and PTO; calculates Toxic Air Contaminant (TAC) emissions inventory; gathers and documents input parameters to mathematical models used to estimate potential health risks for substances emitted into the air; recommends approval or denial of applications for ATCs and PTOs; writes ATCs and PTOs and determines fees; inspects sites prior to issuing ATCs and PTOs.
• Reviews toxic emissions inventory plans and reports.
• Provides compliance assistance to various constituents including small business owners or sole proprietors, engineering consultants, and public agency representatives; meets with industrial representatives to discuss modifications recommended for compliance with air quality rules and regulations; provides information to applicants, consultants and the public regarding permit requirements and District air quality rules and regulations.
• Provides information to other divisions regarding impact of violations, explanation of permit conditions and explanation of emission factors and emissions rates; confers with other air pollution control districts regarding industrial processes, control systems; may act as an expert witness.
• Acts as a project leader for engineering studies or programs; develops program guidelines and notifications to sources/persons affected by new or modified regulations; serves on special committees to develop guidelines and procedures; makes community presentations to convey technical information.
• Works with data including the input and review of information in the database; generates reports with specific information on the subject of permitted sources to assist in program implementation; responds to requests for information and clarification through the generation of reports. 
• Assists in the development and implementation of District air quality rules and regulations.
• Assists and participates in source testing; evaluates source testing reports.
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies, District management and staff, and the public.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Education and Experience:

  Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Air Quality Engineer I and II: Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor`s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in chemical, environmental, or mechanical engineering, or a related field.
• Air Quality Engineer I: One (1) year of experience in air pollution control engineering. Additional related coursework or engineering training may substitute for the required experience.

• Air Quality Engineer II: Three (3) years of experience in air pollution control engineering or two (2) years of experience in a position equivalent to an Air Quality Engineer I with the MBARD. 

  Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver License.