The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The District'sjurisdiction 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 is currently accepting applications for the position of PrincipalStaff Specialist in the Strategic Incentives Division (SI) Division. This is anopen recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position.The Strategic Incentives Division supports the Air District's mission by implementing incentive programs (grant programs) that achieve voluntary reductions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases, primarily from on- and off-road vehicles and equipment that operate in the Air District's jurisdiction. In 2023-2024, the SI Division is administering more than $90 million in new revenue to fund programs and projects that replace older diesel-fueled vehicles and equipment such as school and transit buses, marine vessels, locomotives, trucks, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and other mobile equipment, with newer, cleaner alternatives, including zero-emission technologies, and install refueling/charging infrastructure that supports the accelerated adoption of zero-emissions vehicles and equipment. Other programs administered support the reduction of single-occupancy vehicle, provide cash and mobility options to residents for turning in their older vehicles, and provide grants to reduce pollution from woodburning devices. The Division develops programs to meet community identified strategies for reducing air quality disparities and that benefit the Bay Area's most overburdened communities.About you in the positionThe Principal Staff Specialist (AB 617 role) in the SI Division will coordinate the division's efforts in bringing greater equity to grant programs through program development, collaboration with other divisions, and engagement with communities under the AB 617 program. With your in-depth knowledge of the Air District's emission reduction grant programs, you will lead the division's participation in internal and external AB 617 engagement, including communicating the role of the division; analyzing, reporting, and presenting information about air quality improvement incentive programs and mobile sources, participating in community meetings, proposing and guiding discussions on incentive-related emission reduction strategies and actions, developing plans/programs to implement action, and soliciting feedback on strategy implementation. Examples of other tasks include preparing written materials related to grant programs, reports and plans; proposing recommendations for updates to current incentive programs; developing and supporting the development of new programs; assessing impacts of regulatory actions on mobile source categories; presenting to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders; and leading and training staff. This position will require working nights and weekends on occasion to attend community meetings and public events. Your work will empower our team to make informed decisions that will benefit communities, meet our requirements, and advance our mission.Assembly Bill 617 Assembly Bill (AB) 617 (C. Garcia, Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) was signed into law alongside Assembly Bill 398 which extended California's cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. AB 617 addresses environmental justice concerns regarding the extension of the cap-and-trade program by requiring the California Air Resources Board, with input from community groups, air districts and others, to select locations around the state to prepare community-led plans to reduce emissions of toxic air contaminants and criteria pollutants. The primary requirement for community selection is a demonstrated high cumulative exposure burden to air pollution and associated health disparities. In the Bay Area, and around the state, these communities are often low-income communities of color.In 2017, West Oakland and the Richmond-North Richmond-San Pablo area were selected as the first communities to participate in the AB 617 program. Since then, East Oakland and Bayview Hunters Point/Southeast San Francisco communities have been added to the program. The Air District works closely with these communities to both develop and implement emission reduction and monitoring plans and, on the implementation of community identified strategies.DefinitionUnder direction, performs the most complex level of program assignments and may provide project supervision or team leadership on a project specific basis in the areas of incentives; performs related work as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This class provides the most complex and specialized program assignments in support of the District's goals and objectives in the areas identified above. Incumbents are responsible for providing project leadership for coordinating and developing programs and require considerable technical knowledge and use of independent judgment in those areas. This class is distinguished from the Senior Staff Specialist by its assignments of greater and/or more complex responsibilities, and its greater independence of action and consequences. This class is distinguished from Supervising Staff Specialist, in that the latter supervises assigned staff on a continuing basis and conducts performance appraisals. This class is also distinguished from manager level in that the latter has managerial responsibility for assigned programs and staff.

The Principal Staff Specialist duties will vary by Division and will include a subset of the example duties listed below for the specific position.
Provides lead direction, coordinates, and carries out the most complex assignments relating to the development, implementation, and processes of new or revised programs to achieve and maintain compliance and quality control; researches technical feasibility and new control proposals; and coordinates the development of technological justifications.
Provides lead direction, training, and work review to technical and support staff; prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion.
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; advises contractors and management regarding issues involving contract administration and interpretation; and prepares cost analyses.
Participates in the development and implementation of policies and guidelines for assigned programs.
Conducts workshops, meetings, and training on the technical application and interpretation of District regulations and rules; makes presentations and develops technical material.
Conducts research and prepares and presents reports as assigned.
Responds to inquiries and provides information concerning District rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; explains and interprets technical rules and regulations regarding District programs.
Confers and interfaces with industry representatives, District staff, the public and other agencies to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information regarding District programs; represents the District on various matters.
Reviews and researches District, local, state, and federal rules, and regulations; analyzes compliance and impacts on District operations, programs, and projects and prepares recommendation; implements programs for new and revised regulations.
Leads the implementation, upgrades, and maintenance of computer databases and programs; promotes data integrity and quality through the enforcement of standards and controls; prepares data and analytical reports as required.
Provides input into selection decisions and performance evaluations and provides technical development and training.
Advises staff on technical and regulatory issues.

Education & Experience
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is: Equivalent to the completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years of professional analytical experience, including developing and administering programs. Some positions may require more specialized education, training, and experience.A graduate degree may substitute up to two years of the required experience.Desirable qualifications/skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to adapt to the audience.
• Professionalism and good judgement in representingan agency/company with external stakeholders including the public, businesses, and other agencies.
• Training or experience working with and for the public and community groups to advance equity and environmental justice.
• Competency in managing time and responsibilities with little oversight and working efficiently.
• Reading and interpreting laws, policies, procedures, regulations, guidelines, maps, specifications, and other data.
• Bilingual proficiency in one or more languages commonly spoken in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Interdisciplinary knowledge and/or learning agility with respect to state or other incentive programs, mobile sources of air pollution, zero-emission technology and infrastructure, heavy-duty equipment operations at Bay Area ports and other industrial hubs, and/or impacts of air quality regulatory actions on industry.

Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application, chronological resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024. Applications are accepted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply.
Resumes must be attached to the application and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Postmarks, faxes, 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 or returned.Supplemental Questions InstructionsIndividuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Office 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 than one page (500 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 CriteriaSelection 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 District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Office at (415) 749-4980.The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.