Branch Chief

Job Description and Duties

Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division uses multi-disciplinary teams to integrate research, transportation and land use planning, regulations, and incentives to foster sustainable communities that provide a range of affordable housing and transportation options that drive electrification, reduce vehicle miles traveled, support carbon sequestration, and meet community needs in a manner that promotes equity, access to opportunity, and community resiliency

The Climate Investments Branch supports sustainable communities by advancing State policies and investments that address climate change, with a strong focus on communities most impacted by pollution and limited access to resources. The Branch serves as a key steward of California Climate Investments, in collaboration with the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Finance, and other State agencies, directing billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars toward projects that reduce harmful emissions, protect public health, strengthen local economies, and support natural environments. The Branch also supports the Division’s work to foster transportation, housing, and climate policy alignment through efforts such as the joint public meetings with the California Transportation Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

As Branch Chief, you will work closely with the California Air Resources Board leadership to lead these high-profile initiatives. You will work with managers in the Branch to guide the California Climate Investments as a model for national and international replication and help scale the impact of the state’s climate leadership. You will also work closely with leadership across the Division to shape the next evolution of the Branch’s work, leveraging its multi-disciplinary expertise to foster sustainable communities for all.

The Branch Chief is responsible for leading the development, implementation, and overall direction of programs and policies within the Branch; obtaining, monitoring, and allocating personnel resources and funding within the Branch; and advancing the Branch’s work through communicating, coordinating, and where necessary negotiating with other divisions, the Executive Office, other agencies at all levels of government, academic and non-governmental partners, regulated parties, communities, advocates and other stakeholders, and members of the public, among other duties.

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 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.

Special Requirements

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.

Describe your education, training, experience, and skills that enable you to perform the duties listed in the Duty Statement.

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:

We are looking for someone who will be an effective leader and mentor, possess a high degree of integrity, a positive, can-do attitude, and a sense of humor. The most competitive candidate must also have a demonstrated ability to: collaboratively develop a program and team vision around a set of shared goals; strategically plan and execute on work priorities that further these goals; successfully negotiate solutions to sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy; develop and advocate State policy on a wide range of air quality, climate, energy, natural resources, transportation, and housing issues; plan and manage high-visibility projects; write effectively using direct, concise, and non-technical language; think strategically and speak articulately; communicate and implement organizational changes; be confident dealing with all levels of management and a wide variety of external stakeholders; adapt readily to changing priorities; and travel as needed.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified candidates will be interviewed.

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

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
• Other - Cover letter - Please include a cover letter that summarizes your vision for the Branch and how you would carry out that vision. The letter should not exceed three pages.