APCD Air Quality Engineer I/II - Air Toxics

Under immediate supervision (I), general supervision (II), the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Air Quality Engineer (Engineer) assists the APCD Manager in the planning, organization, direction and coordination of various technical and engineering activities of the District; and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The APCD Air Quality Engineer II classification is the journey-level in the APCD Air Quality Engineer job series.  It differs from the APCD Air Quality Engineer I class in that incumbents perform more technical and difficult projects with less supervision.  It differs from the APCD Supervising Air Quality Engineer by that classification's level of supervisory responsibility of technical and professional staff.

The ideal candidate for the current position will have a Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental, mechanical, chemical or petroleum engineering, or a closely related field, and demonstrate knowledge of the principles of air pollution control, industrial processes as related to air pollution control, state and federal air pollution regulatory programs and regulations, and California local air district permitting procedures.  The ideal candidate will possess experience in the preparation of Health Risk Assessments, including the use of the HARP-2 and AERMOD software programs; experience implementing the California Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Program; current knowledge and experience with the California Office of Health Hazard Assessment's  CalEnviroScreen tool, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EJSCREEN and National Air Toxics Assessment tools.  The ideal candidate will also possess strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing, organizational skills, and the ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively and effectively with other staff, representatives of public and private agencies and organizations, and the public. 

The APCD Air Quality Engineer I/II - Compliance may be eligible for educational incentive.  This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required by the classification.

The incumbent may be eligible for bilingual incentive depending on the applicable memorandum of agreement and the needs of the department.  In order to qualify for this incentive, incumbents in eligible positions must take and pass the applicable bilingual fluency examination with a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher.
 
APPROXIMATE SALARIES 
APCD Air Quality Engineer I:    $2,366.94 - $3,388.66 per bi-week
APCD Air Quality Engineer II:   $2,712.63 - $3,874.32 per bi-week

NOTE:  If appointed at a lower level, incumbent may be promoted to higher levels without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists the APCD Supervising Air Quality Engineer or an APCD Manager in the Administration of the technical and engineering activities of the District;
• Conducts the preparation of health risk assessments, including the use of HARP-2 and AERMOD software programs;
• Checks more complex pre-construction plans and specifications required for the authority to construct and post-construction plans and specifications required for the permit to operate;
• Prepares technical written reports and correspondence;
• Attends meetings and makes oral presentations to various industry, advisory and policy making groups; may be required to testify in court;
• Gives testimony as an expert witness;
• Consults with and advises representatives of industry and agriculture regarding effective air pollution control practices;
• Inspects facilities for compliance with District rules and regulations prior to and after permit to operate issuance;
• Consults with and advises representatives of the public, industry and agriculture regarding effects and requirements of proposed and existing rules and regulations;
• Ensures that state-of-the-art air pollution control equipment is properly used, operated and maintained;
• Provides interpretation, clarification and enforcement of District rules and policies to applicants and the general public;
• Recommends issuance or denial of permits to the APCD Permit Manager - Engineering;
• Writes comprehensive rules and regulations and technical support documents to implement AQMP tactics and other control requirements to reduce air pollution;
• Performs analyses of the effectiveness of rules and regulations;
• May act for the APCD Manager – Engineering in his absence;
• May supervise subordinate staff;
• Other related duties as required.

The APCD Air Quality Engineer I/II is represented by the Ventura Employees Association (VEA) and is not eligible for overtime.
 
NOTE:  This classification is within a bargaining unit that is subject to an agency shop arrangement which mandates a Regular employee either join VEA and pay dues as a member OR either pay a service fee to VEA or direct that an amount equivalent to the service fee be distributed to a qualified charitable organization.

Education, Training, and Experience:  Some (I) to considerable (II) experience in air pollution control leading to the acquisition of the required knowledge and abilities.
 
The required knowledge, skills, and abilities also can be obtained by completion of a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related environmental field at the I level and at the II level at least one (1) year of experience in air pollution control or a closely related environmental field is required in conjunction with the degree.

Education Substitution:
A valid certificate as a Professional Engineer or as an Engineer-in-Training issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may be substituted for the bachelor's degree requirement.

Experience Substitute:
A master's degree in engineering may be substituted for the required one (1) year of experience at the II level.
 
Necessary Special Requirements:

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Possession of, or the ability to acquire, and maintain a valid California driver license is required.
• Must be willing and able to travel to various sites throughout the County.

• Experience performing health risk assessments using the HARP-2 and AERMOD software programs.
• Knowledge of local California air district permitting procedures and policies.
• Previous experience involving public contact or public speaking.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint.

• Principles and techniques of mechanical, chemical, petroleum, or environmental engineering;
• Principles and practices relating to determining, controlling and permitting sources of air pollution including buildings, devices, machinery, processes and equipment;
• Factors involved in planning, establishing and operating air pollution control programs, including the AB-2588 Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Program;
• Engineering databases and software programs applicable to APCD, such as HARP-2 and AERMOD;
• Basic legal requirements governing air pollution control districts.

• Plan, conduct, direct, and evaluate comprehensive engineering studies related to health risk assessments;
• Prepare recommendations for elimination or control of hazardous or undesirable air pollution conditions;
• Speak before groups, organizations, and professional meetings;
• Provide advisory services to the public and industry;
• Prepare written reports;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Analyze complex engineering problems and use sound judgment in their resolution;
• Evaluate the technical work of subordinate staff;
• Use personal computer systems and relevant software programs such as Access;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Work is performed in an office environment and occasionally outdoors performing inspections. Incumbents may be required to bend, crawl, climb, reach, crouch, kneel, and occasionally lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Incumbents may also occasionally be exposed to hot, dusty and potentially hazardous conditions.

FINAL FILING DATE:  This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it.  Your application must be received by the County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009. 

Note to Applicants:  It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications.  A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.
 

INFORMATION FOR LATERAL TRANSFER CANDIDATES

NOTE:  If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.  If interested, please click here for additional information.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination and selection process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying:  All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met.  Those individuals meeting the stated requirements may be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

COMPARATIVE SCREENING – qualifying: If there is a high number of qualified applicants, a comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the oral exam.  Applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria that most closely meets the needs of the department, so it is essential that applicants provide as much detail as possible and answer all parts of the application and supplemental questionnaire.
 
ORAL EXAM – 100%:  A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating applicants' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job.  Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. 

NOTE:  If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral examination will not be conducted.  Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies within the Air Pollution Control District.  There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough background investigation, which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position.  
 
For further information regarding this recruitment, please call Yvonne Martinez at (805) 654-3051 or e-mail at Yvonne.Martinez@ventura.org.