The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.
The Air District is conducting an open recruitment for the position of Staff Specialist I/II in the Community Engagement Office. This is a full-time, represented position for one (1) vacancy.
The Community Engagement (CE) Office engages the public in Air District programs and decision-making to improve air quality and promote public health and environmental justice. The CE Office seeks to engage and partner with communities overburdened by poor air pollution by increasing awareness of the role and authority of the Air District, fostering relationships, developing partnerships, co-developing engagement processes and providing equitable opportunities for participation in Air District decision-making. The Community Engagement Office strives to create opportunities for those that have been historically excluded, discriminated against, under-represented, or under-resourced.
About the Position
Are you interested in reducing air pollution and improving health outcomes in the most impacted and overburdened communities in the Bay Area? Are you motivated to develop and implement plans, projects and policies that address air pollution injustices and inequities?
The AB617 Staff Specialist in the Community Engagement Division will support outreach, engagement and partnerships with communities overburdened by air pollution to advance solutions towards equity and environmental justice. The responsibilities of the Staff Specialist may include, but are not limited to, being part of a team to co-develop a local community plan with environmental justice communities as part of the Air District's Community Health Protection Program(Assembly Bill 617). The person in this position may work on other Community Engagement and/or Environmental Justice projects, as assigned, such as Home Air Filtration Programs, community workshops and events, community grants, youth-oriented engagement projects, or other projects. The Staff Specialist will assist in coordinating efforts across inter-divisional teams and facilitate meetings with Air District staff and local community leaders and preparing meeting agendas.
This role also involves public speaking over virtual platforms as well as during in-person meetings. Staff Specialists often liaise with other divisions in the Air District to leverage data, resources, and other tools to support crafting and implementing strategies, developing power point presentations, and identifying new internal and external partners. The Staff Specialist may develop and implement public education workshops and is likely to work across inter-divisional teams. The Staff Specialist may write and design fact sheets, and/or draft FAQ and talking points for a variety of public and leadership meetings. The Staff Specialist may assist in drafting the scope of work for contracts along with tracking budgets for contracts. Typically, Staff Specialist duties also include drafting memos and PowerPoint presentations to executive staff and Board of Directors related to procurement, program budgets, and programmatic updates
Definition
Under direction, performs a variety of responsible administrative, technical and specialized functions in the areas of incentives, contracts, business services, finance, budget, and facility management; and performs related work as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Staff Specialist I is the entry level in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn District, state and federal procedures and policies while performing the more routine technical duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more diversified and are performed with less supervision. This class is alternately staffed with Staff Specialist II and incumbents may advance to the higher level classification after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.
Staff Specialist II is the journey level class of this series, fully-proficient to perform difficult and technical work. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment.
This class is distinguished from Senior Staff Specialist in that the latter is responsible for more complex work and may perform lead duties.
Examples of Duties for this Position
(Illustrative Only)
- Reviews, analyzes, and administers a variety of grants, contracts, and other agreements in support of District activities; monitors expenditures and charges against agreements; prepares fiscal status reports for management and prepares cost analyses.
- Coordinates and facilitates workshops, meetings, and trainings on the technical application and interpretation of District programs, regulations and rules; creates PowerPoint presentations, prepares talking points, and develops supporting technical materials.
- Prepares and presents staff reports to the District's Board of Directors, and/or sub-committees; conducts research and prepares and presents reports as assigned.
- Provides routine outreach and communication on behalf of the District with industry, the public and other agencies to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information.
- Prepares and responds to correspondence directed toward public and private organizations relative to programs; responds to oral and written requests for information about programs.
- Participates and assists in the development of policies and guidelines for assigned programs.
- Researches technical feasibility and control proposals for new or revised programs; Develops and applies quality control and assurance measures to ensure the effectiveness of programs and appropriate application of methods in accordance with District policies, rules, and regulations.
- Prepares Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Quotations (RFQs); prepares contract documents and other agreements using standard District procedures; and reviews contract terms and conditions.
- Maintains computer databases and program records.
- Assists in internal and external audits for programs and physical inspections to ensure compliance with program requirements.
- Explains and interprets technical policies, rules and regulations regarding programs; gathers and prepares background information.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:
Staff Specialist I: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and two years of professional analytical experience.
Staff Specialist II: In addition to the above, two years of professional analytical experience.
Some positions may require more specialized education, training and experience.
Other Requirements:
This person must be willing to attend meetings located in Bay Area outside of regular working hours and in-person, as needed.
