Assistant Air Pollution

Salary : $87,713.60 - $107,723.20 Annually

Location : County of San Diego, CA

Job Type : Regular - Full time

Job Number : 25385801

Department : Air Pollution Control District

Division : Engineering / Monitoring AB423

Opening Date : 01 / 30 / 2025

Closing Date : 3 / 2 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Job Summary

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Invites Your Interest for This Exciting Career Opportunity!

ASSISTANT AIR POLLUTION CHEMIST

Interviews will take place the week of April 7, 2025. Job offers for selected candidates will be made the week of April 14, 2025.

The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Assistant Air Pollution Chemists for the Quality Assurance Program.

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District strives to protect the public from harmful effects of air pollution, achieve and maintain air quality standards, foster community involvement, and develop and implement cost-effective programs meeting state and federal mandates, considering environmental and economic impacts. To learn more about this department, click

SDAPCD employs Air Pollution Chemists in four different programs : Regional Air Monitoring, Quality Assurance, Community Air Protection, and Source Emission Testing.

SDAPCD's Quality Assurance Program mission is to ensure that the data collected in the Regional Air Monitoring Program meets federal and state data quality objectives. This effort requires reviewing data and conducting field audits of the monitoring stations and equipment in the Regional Air Monitoring Program.

SDAPCD Regional Air Monitoring Program mission is to measure the air quality in San Diego County to determine if the air quality meets federal and state health and safety standards. This effort requires monitoring various pollutants in the county through the establishment of around 10 monitoring stations located throughout the County.

SDAPCD's Quality Assurance Program mission is to ensure that the data collected in the Regional Air Monitoring Program meets federal and state data quality objectives. This effort requires reviewing data and conducting field audits of the monitoring stations and equipment in the Regional Air Monitoring Program.

SDAPCD's Community Air Protection Program mission is to reduce pollution exposure in communities based on environmental, health, and socioeconomic information. This effort will require community air monitoring, community emission reduction plans and incentive funding to deploy the cleanest technologies in the most impacted areas. This recruitment will help lead SDAPCD's effort in monitoring air quality within these communities.

SDAPCD's Source Emission Testing Program mission is to measure pollutant emissions from facilities to determine if the emissions meet the facilities operational permit emission limits. This effort requires conducting measurements conducted at the facilities premise at the point of release into the atmosphere and can be at elevated locations.

Under the direction of a Senior Chemist, the Assistant Air Pollution Chemists perform professional work involved in the collection, evaluation, and chemical analysis of air contaminant samples. This is the first working level class that performs chemical analyses and testing of air contaminant samples. For additional information regarding this job classification, click

WORK SCHEDULE

The current vacancies for Assistant Air Pollution Chemist may be assigned to work a hybrid schedule. This schedule may consist of teleworking or working remotely, as well as working in the laboratory and in the field as needed.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate for Assistant Air Pollution Chemist will possess the following experience, attributes, and traits :

• Knowledge of technical methods and applications involved in operation of laboratory analytical instrumentation and air monitoring equipment
• Knowledge of technical methods and applications involved in quality assurance (i.e. data review) of laboratory analytical instrumentation and air monitoring equipment
• Familiar with writing standard operation procedures
• Familiar with coding in Visual Basic (macros in Excel) and or Anaconda / Python

If you believe that you possess these qualities, then the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District would be an ideal place for your talent and career growth. The County of San Diego has a great culture that values collaboration and teamwork.

HIRING TIMELINE AND DATES

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must submit a copy of their official or unofficial transcripts in order to verify completed coursework from an accredited U.S. college or university; or a certified foreign studies equivalency report if a degree was obtained from a college or university outside of the U.S.

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and / or supplemental questionnaire.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.

EVALUATION PROCESS

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran's Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of : a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include : integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our ) as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.

Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary

Please Read Job Description Carefully :

Assistant Air Pollution Chemists performs highly specialized chemical testing and analysis of air quality samples obtained throughout San Diego County. The chemists will routinely perform quality assurance / quality control functions on field instruments, as well as review laboratory analysis of the collected samples. Typical work functions also include : review and interpret documentation on state and district program requirements, review and interpret chain of custody documentation on field samples, conduct research on emerging technology for air pollution monitoring / analysis, perform calibrations and audits on field instruments, coordinate work with other staff, write standard operating procedures for new equipment and processes, and prepare reports and presentations.

Do you understood the job duty description listed above?

Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough, complete, and truthful manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score.

Please do NOT indicate "See Resume," or "See Application," as these are not valid answers.

If you are invited to a selection interview(s) by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD), your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

Please review the minimum qualifications for this position before completing your application.

Do you understand this information?

Please check the box that most accurately describes how you meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for Assistant Air Pollution Chemist.

Please check only one box.

Please check from the following any chemistry coursework you have successfully completed.

Check all boxes that accurately apply to your completed college education.

If you indicated in Questions #3 and #4 that you have a bachelor's degree or higher AND a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter units of physical, analytical and organic chemistry coursework, please provide the following information for each box you checked :

1. Course number

2. Course title

3. Number of units earned

4. Quarter or Semester units

PLEASE NOTE :

1. Your bachelor's degree and / or related coursework must be from an accredited U.S. college, university, or you must have possession of a certified foreign studies equivalency.

2. Each class listed must be verifiable in your transcripts.

3. In order for your education to be considered, a copy of your complete unalterable transcripts and / or foreign studies equivalency report must be submitted with your application.

NOTE :

If you did not check any coursework in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, then enter "N / A" below.

Do you understand that you must attach a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts from an accredited U.S. college or university or foreign studies equivalency during "Step 1" of the application submittal process? Do you also understand that if you recently graduated, you must submit a copy of your latest transcripts and attach the same to your application along with a completion letter or verification from the college or university where you completed your degree? Unofficial transcripts are acceptable as long as it includes your name, school name, major / field of study, conferral date and is in an unalterable format.If you applied for Assistant Air Pollution Chemist for SDAPCD during previous recruitments and met the minimum qualifications, and you already attached your up-to-date college documents referenced above, then you may by-pass these instructions.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements :

Do you understand that Assistant Air Pollution Chemists work out in the field at an air quality monitoring stations or work in an office.

NOTE :

Personal protective equipment will be provided by SDAPCD.

Do you understand that while working in a field environment, Assistant Air Pollution Chemists are exposed to noxious fumes, dirt, heat, noise and all-weather conditions and handle compressed gas cylinders?

Do you understand that Assistant Air Pollution Chemists may be required to work during irregular work hours including early morning and / or late evening hours?

Do you understand that the essential physical characteristics of an Assistant Air Pollution Chemist including the ability to climb ladders and work at heights of over 250 feet; use physical strength and agility on a continual basis, including lifting objects frequently weighing up to 50 pounds, and occasionally weighing up to 70 pounds with assistance?

Do you have experience in operating scientific / analytical equipment?

If you responded YES to Question #11 , please provide the following information :

1) Job title(s) or indicate college student

2) Employer name(s) or college(s) attended

3) Brief description of up to three (3) instruments and / or equipment that you used

4) Work setting(s) where you used the instruments and / or equipment you listed above.

NOTE :

If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have experience in reviewing data?

If you responded YES to Question #13 , please provide the following information :

1) Job title(s) or indicate college student

2) Employer name(s) or college(s) attended

3) Brief description of the type of data reviewed

4) Work setting(s) where you performed the test methods you listed above.

NOTE :

If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Do you have experience in writing technical reports or standard operating procedures (SOP)?

If you responded YES to Question #15 , please provide the following information :

1) Job title(s) or indicate college student

2) Employer name(s) or college(s) attended

3) Brief description of up to three (3) technical reports or SOPs that you prepared

4) Description of your work setting(s) where you prepared the technical reports or SOPs you listed above.

NOTE :

If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N / A."

Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?

If you answered "Other" to the question above, please indicate where you first heard about this job opportunity. If this does not apply, please indicate "n / a" below.

Required Question

Salary : $87,714 - $107,723