Air Quality Specialist (Economist)

South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation.  We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people.  South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways.   With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!

South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air. 

ABOUT THE UNIT
The Socioeconomic Analysis unit is located within the Planning, Rule Development and Implementation Division of the South Coast AQMD. The unit functions as an internal economic think tank and provides technical advice and assistance to advance the Agency’s clean air mission. On a day-to-day basis, the unit conducts various types of economic and data analyses, such as benefit-cost analysis and regional economic impact assessment, to aid in the development of clean air regulations and programs. Air Quality Specialists in this unit comprise of academically and/or professionally trained economists who apply modern economic theory and data tools in performing rigorous economic analysis, drafting reports and policy briefs, and conducting presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences. In performing its functions, the Socioeconomic Analysis team often works closely and collaboratively with colleagues within the South Coast AQMD, with technical staff at agency partners such as the Southern California Association of Governments and the California Air Resources Board, and with subject matter experts in the academia, consultancy, and so on.

ABOUT THE POSITION

There is currently one Air Quality Specialist (Economist) vacancy approved to be filled in the Socioeconomic Analysis unit at the South Coast AQMD. This position provides a rare opportunity for early- to mid-career economists interested in maximizing the policy impacts of their expertise and work, especially in the field of air pollution control. The position requires solid technical skills to perform data analysis, economic modeling, and other analytical work. Oral and written communication skills, as well as the ability to collaborate with internal colleagues and work with a wide variety of external stakeholders, are also essential to successfully perform the job functions. 

 Air Quality Specialists (Economist) in the Socioeconomic Analysis unit at the South Coast AQMD are primarily responsible for:

• Conducting applied economic research and developing documents and reports on the regional economic impacts, health benefit analysis, and job impact analysis of emission reductions for proposed clean air regulations, programs, and long-range plans; 
• Working with internal colleagues, stakeholders, and/or subject matter experts to develop data input and identify appropriate methodology in conducting project-specific benefit-cost analyses, which may involve data management and manipulation, running statistical and GIS programs, operating or developing analytical or modeling tools, and interpreting and presenting analysis results.
• Conducting a variety of technical or exploratory data analyses in support of special projects or to expand/enhance South Coast AQMD’s socioeconomic analysis practice.
• Conducting literature surveys on topics pertaining to regional economic conditions, empirical effects of past and ongoing clear air programs and policies and drafting briefing summaries.   

The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to this link here

Works with engineers, planners, other environmental professionals, Information Management staff, and other personnel to develop and implement methods and techniques for the analysis and evaluation of air quality studies and plans.

Applies mathematical, statistical, and engineering modeling and analytical techniques to the analysis of research and survey data; prepares graphs, charts, and statistical summaries from derived data; determines appropriate data collection methods for use in research projects; and may assist in determining methods for more complex studies.

Develops or assists in developing recommendations concerning air quality management programs, plans, and rules and prepares related reports and correspondence.

Assists in preparing technical analyses and recommended positions on proposed and pending legislation relating to air quality management.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications that follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:

• A bachelor's degree or an advanced degree in the field of economics, statistics, and/or a related quantitative field, or professional experience demonstrating similar technical capabilities.
• Direct or indirect transferable experience in the development and/or application of economic models, such as REMI, and the ability to produce organized and credible economic or similar types of impact assessments of public policies by applying and adapting existing research and methodologies.
• Excellent data management and processing skills and proven track record in handling large amounts of data, preferably with experience working with economic, demographic, public health, and/or or energy/environment data.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, and experience in preparing complex reports to effectively communicate to a myriad of audiences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, or the physical, social, or biological sciences, depending on the functions of the assigned unit.

EXPERIENCE:  Two years of technical air quality or professional analytical experience that would demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position to which assigned.
  

1. A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.
2. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test and will be evaluated as such.  Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.
3.  Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers.
4. An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application*.

*You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application.  At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.

Job applications must be completely filled out.   A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

Application packets, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to a multiple-choice examination, to be rated on a pass/fail basis.  Candidates who pass the exam will advance to the next step in the process, which may include a panel interview. (Please note that all assessments will be conducted remotely).

Following the assessment process, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which the current vacancy may be filled, during the 6–12-month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to future steps in the process.)

Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States:  If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. 

Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.

Salary : $94,414 - $130,368