Staff Air Pollution Specialist

Job Description and Duties

This position is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

If you have permanent status and have passed probation, you have mandatory reinstatement rights into your former position/classification at the end of this LT appointment. You will be separated from state service if you have not had prior permanent or probationary civil service status. During this 12-month limited-term assignment, you may be entitled to receive health, dental, and vision benefits. You will also earn State Service and accrue monthly leave credits.

The Regulatory Development Section (RDS) within the Monitoring and Laboratory Division (MLD) is seeking a highly skilled Staff Air Pollution Specialist to help implement a multi-agency pilot program involving the repurposing of crude oil and natural gas wells and production infrastructure for energy storage and generation.

Senate Bill (SB) 567, authored by Senator Monique Limón and signed into law in October of 2025, establishes the Gravity Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program, which will sunset on January 1, 2035. It authorizes the conversion of 250 idle crude oil and natural gas wells to gravity-based energy storage systems. Under SB 567, CARB will collaborate with the Department of Conservation, California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to establish criteria for mechanical integrity testing, continuous leak monitoring of air pollutants, and reporting protocols. CARB will also serve as a key technical and policy advisor alongside CalGEM, SWRCB, and interested parties to evaluate the pilot’s progress and to include recommendations whether to continue the Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Program.

Duties include: 1) providing leadership and direction in the review and evaluation of monitoring technologies which could be applied to the continuous monitoring of toxic air pollutants from leaks; 2) leading a multi disciplinary team of engineers and specialists within CARB to develop guidelines for the pilot program, which will include elements such as continuous leak detection performance standards, data reporting and assisting CalGEM in reviewing and determining if plans submitted by the operators comply with the guidelines; 3) facilitating stakeholder engagement activities, explaining complex technical requirements in plain english, leading meetings with interested stakeholders such as community groups, oil and gas operators, and the public; 4) working with CalGEM and SWRCB to evaluate the results of the pilot program and recommending if a Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Program along with conditions should be made permanent.

This position will require the candidate to possess a driver license and to pass defensive driving training courses, enroll in the DMV Pull Notice Program, and maintain a “good” driver status. Additionally, the candidate must be willing to travel up to 25 percent of the time, climb ladders, work outdoors, in close proximity to oil and gas production equipment, where exposure to air emissions, fumes, heat, mechanical hazards, and vehicle traffic are present. The candidate must participate in appropriate field safety training and be willing to wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to a hard hat, safety shoes with toe protection, reflective vest, Nomex overalls, hearing protections, gloves, and safety glasses. This position will require the employee to pass a pre-employment physical.

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 Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The p ositions 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.

PLP Language:

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.

• 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.
• Climb ladders, work outdoors in and around oil and gas production equipment, with potential exposure to air emissions, fumes, heat, mechanical hazards, and vehicle traffic, and wear personal protective equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required
• Will require the candidate to possess a driver license and to pass training courses (including periodic refresher courses) in defensive driving, enroll in the DMV Pull Notice Program and maintain a “good” driver status.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Candidates whose applications do not include the required SOQ will not be considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

• Require Name on SOQ
• Require Job Control Number on SOQ
• Maximum number of pages: 2

Please describe how your educational background and work experience make you a good fit for this position. Please also describe your experience with air quality monitoring, data analysis, oil and gas production, quality assurance and quality control, regulation development and implementation, and interaction with local, state, federal agencies and community based organizations.

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:

-excellent oral and written communication skills; work well independently or as part of a team; possess analytical and problem-solving skills; work on multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines; pay attention to detail; and have excellent time management skills

-an advanced degree in engineering (environmental, petroleum, chemical, or mechanical), environmental science, atmospheric science, or closely related field of study

-knowledge of California's upstream oil and gas industry including well/well head construction standards, production process, common processing equipment, sources of emissions, chemical composition of emissions, effectiveness of control measures, and leak detection and repair/response requirements

-familiarity with commercially available continuously operating emission detection systems suitable for use at oil and gas production facilities

-solid understanding of California's existing regulatory landscape as it pertains to oil and gas production including the roles and responsibilities of local, state, and federal agencies

-a proven track record of success with high profile, technically challenging, and multifaceted projects

-able to produce examples of prior work products involving the development of guidelines, standard operating procedures, test methods, and or rules/regulations at the local, state, or federal level

-experience with outreach to stakeholders such as community-based organizations, air districts, regulated entities, and the public

Benefits

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

• Nearby (third-party) parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Located near: R street corridor, State Capitol, Restaurants, CalEPA Headquarters
• Interior bicycle and scooter storage, on-site showers and storage lockers, accessible via class II bike lanes

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 -
  • Statement of Qualifications (See Special Requirements section for further information)