Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate!
The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Principal Air Quality Engineer (Source Test) in the Source Test Section. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position.
About the Position
The Principal Air Quality Engineer will be tasked as the program lead for oversight of facility contracted source testing. The assigned work includes review of contractor source test reports, protocols, and special study plans and methodologies; assignment of reviews to source test staff in cooperation with the Supervising Air Quality Engineer; evaluation of results and recommendation of acceptance or rejection, and appropriate enforcement action; field observation of private contractors during facility source tests; application assessment of source test methodology and related Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) metrics; and employment of best engineering principles and practices to accurately evaluate facility emissions.
About the Division/Office
The Source Test Section performs source emission tests at regulated facilities for compliance determination, emission factor development, and information gathering. Facilities that are commonly tested include petroleum refineries, power plants, manufacturing facilities, wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and gasoline dispensing facilities. The section also provides regulatory oversight for facility continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) operation, facility contracted source testing, and special testing or measurement projects.
About the Air District
Bay Area 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.
At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated and your growth is nurtured.
The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.
Hybrid Work Schedule - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment. This position is a field and office position.
The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.
Represent the District in meeting with the public, industry and other agencies.
Coordinates the District’s response to public and industry inquiries regarding regulation interpretation, permit preparation, various compliance measures and emission calculation methods in person, by telephone and in writing.
Develop, participate and review field engineering compliance audits, source testing and sampling, analysis of the results and preparation of reports; observes and audits private contractor tests.
Provide lead direction and work review to professional, technical and support staff, prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion.
Researches and develops new and revised rules and procedures for regulation of air quality; determines emissions and potential emission reductions and cost of controls; establishes control level and technology; writes proposed regulation; prepares technical assessment reports and conducts workshops; makes public presentations.
Participate and supervise staff’s review of permit application and recommends permit issuance or denial.
Recommends and implements regulatory changes and systems development to comply with the Federal permitting program.
Participate in the preparation of the goals and objectives of the assigned section.
Participate in the preparation of the budget of the assigned section.
Participate and review staff’s handling of Hearing Board matters involving variances, Order of Abatement and public nuisances.
Review and participate in toxic screening and assessments, development of emission factors complex facilities.
Provide lead direction, review and participate in the study of accidental releases as complex facilities, rule effectiveness and hazardous material storage, transportation and handling.
Provide lead direction, review and participate in community assistance program, hazardous incident investigations, and Technical Review Group.
Conduct technical seminars for industry and other agencies.
Testifies as expert witness before the Hearing Board.
Education & Experience
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in environmental, chemical, mechanical or petroleum engineering or a closely related field and four years of air quality environmental engineering experience.
Other Requirements
Must possess a valid California driver's license.
Physical, Lift & Climb Test: Must pass a physical exam and be able to meet the requirements of a lift test for occasional physical duties.
How to Apply
Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Applications must be submitted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply. Postmarked, faxed, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.
Supplemental Questions Instructions
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Division no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section.
Please limit your responses to no more than500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.
Selection Criteria
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants.
The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next18 months.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Division at (415) 749-4980.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Air District does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, genetic information, medical condition, or mental or physical disability, or any other attribute or belief protected by law. It is the Air District’s policy to provide fair and equal access to the benefits of the programs or activities it administers.
