Senior Air Quality Specialist, Technical Leader

DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?

You’re a technically strong, solutions-oriented air quality expert with a passion for advancing environmental outcomes in California. You’re confident working independently, especially when it comes to complex emissions modeling and health risk assessments using tools like CalEEMod, AERMOD, and HARP—but you’re also energized by collaboration and mentoring others. You possess a deep understanding of CEQA/NEPA air quality assessments and excel when helping clients navigate regulatory frameworks or crafting effective project strategies. You bring rigor to your work, care about getting the details right, and enjoy sharing your expertise to help elevate your team. If you're ready to bring leadership, vision, and technical excellence to impactful projects, we’d love to meet you.

Ascent is seeking a full-time Senior Air Quality Specialist, Technical Leader to join our AGENTs (Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas/Energy/Noise/Transportation) team in any of our offices: Berkeley, Irvine/Orange County, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, or San Diego. In a typical week in this role, you might:

• Independently conduct emissions modeling, including Health Risk Assessments using CalEEMod, Excel, AERMOD, EMFAC, HARP, and OFFROAD.
• Conduct, review, and provide QA/QC feedback on emissions modeling from software, including but not limited to Calero, Excel, AERMOD, EMFAC, HARP, and OFFROAD.
• Lead and direct marketing and business development pursuits, including developing capture strategies.
• Lead the preparation of proposals for midsized projects and assist with proposals for larger projects, providing technical input, contributing to proposal writing through scope and cost development, identifying opportunities, and engaging with proposal/interview teams.
• Collaborate with the AGENTs team to provide mentorship, build technical capabilities and services, ensure high-quality deliverables, and develop internal training materials and modeling protocols.
• Work collaboratively with Ascent’s Environmental Practice Group to ensure timely delivery of technical work meeting Ascent’s quality standards.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Civil or environmental engineering, math, environmental science, atmospheric science, meteorology, geography, natural resources management, planning, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of direct professional experience conducting CEQA/NEPA air quality and GHG assessments.
• Strong analytical, computer, spreadsheet, and writing skills are a must, and proficiency in emissions modeling software for development projects in California.
• Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience running air quality emission models (EMFAC, CalEEMod, OFFROAD, MOVES) and dispersion models (CALINE-4, AERMOD, HARP) to evaluate project-related construction and operational emission and health impacts.
• Candidate will have experience conducting emissions modeling QA/QC reviews, paying close attention to modeling methodologies and model accuracy.
• Familiarity with state and federal air quality and climate change environmental policy and regulation, including CEQA, NEPA, and Clean Air Act, preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the principles and practices, including meteorology, chemistry, and factors affecting air pollution distribution and effects.
• Understanding of US EPA, California Air Resources Board, and local Air Quality Management District or Air Pollution Control District air quality regulatory programs and their relationship to the Federal and State Clean Air Acts.

Work environment

• Typical office environment
• Hybrid

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time.

Travel

• Limited travel may be required.

Work authorization/security clearance requirements: Not eligible for sponsorship

Additional eligibility requirements: N/A

At Ascent, we believe in fostering a nurturing environment that prioritizes our people. We are committed to holistic investments in our team, offering not only competitive salaries and comprehensive medical benefits but also a range of perks designed to enhance emotional, financial, and physical wellness. A comprehensive listing of benefits offered can be found here.

As a people-first organization, we value and will strive to ascend by welcoming and uplifting all voices, ideas, achievements, and contributions, including those from marginalized communities and identities. We believe that recognizing and embracing our differences makes us a stronger organization. We commit to proactively nurturing environments of mutual support, respect, and caring for all through our words and actions.

Interested in learning more about Ascent's culture? Reach out to our People Resources team at PeopleResources@ascent.inc. We look forward to hearing from you!

EEO Statement

Ascent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Ascent is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact PeopleResources@ascent.inc.

Ascent strives for equity in every area at Ascent, including compensation. To ensure candidates are paid fairly the offered salary will fall within this range and will be determined based on the candidate's demonstrated qualifications and alignment with the requirements of the position outlined above.