Director Environmental Justice Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate!
The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.

The Bay Area Air District's Equity and Community Programs Service Area is seeking a high qualified, highly motivated and engaged Director for its Environmental Justice Division. As a key member of the management team, the Director for Environmental Justice leads a team of over 15 employees advancing the Air District's Environmental Justice and community engagement initiatives across the Bay Area.

What You'll Do

• Strategically consult with cross divisional stakeholders to ensure equity-focused value integration throughout Air District programs
• Collaborate across divisions to strengthen and advance district-wide environmental justice efforts
• Foster and maintain trusted partnerships with community-based organizations, residents, public agencies, and other external stakeholders
• Lead efforts to embed environmental justice principles and community priorities into district planning, policy development, and program implementation
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of community engagement strategies, frameworks, and practices to strengthen public participation, transparency and accountability

What You'll Bring

• Five of years of progressively responsible leadership experience supporting community-focused initiatives within a public agency or similarly mission-driven organization
• Five years of experience developing, implementing, and leading successful community engagement and public participation programs
• Fluency in Spanish or other non-English language widely spoken in the communities served by the Air District preferred but not required

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Officer of Equity and Community Programs, the Director of the Environmental Justice Division provides strategic leadership for the Air District's environmental justice, community engagement, and community capacity-building efforts. The Division works with impacted communities across the Bay Area to advance public health, equity, and environmental justice by increasing awareness and transparency on air quality issues, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding opportunities for meaningful participation in Air District decision-making. The Division advances community-informed solutions, helps guide outreach and engagement practices across the District, and informs policies and programs by elevating community perspectives and environmental justice priorities.

The Director oversees several key initiatives and programs, including the Community Advisory Council, Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) Program, Environmental Justice Navigators Program, Clean Air Filtration Program, James Cary Smith Community Grant Program, and the People's Air Grant Program, and supports the Marie Harrison Environmental Justice Youth Scholarship and Norman Mineta Summer Youth Academy.

About the Air District

The Air District's jurisdiction 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 recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

This recruitment is for one (1) Director position in the Environmental Justice Division. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, exempt, management position.
Distinguishing Characteristics:

This class reports directs all activities of a medium or large division. Incumbents operate within a broad policy frame work and assume sole responsibility for a functional area(s) of service. Incumbents coordinate and implement program planning, and define organizational structure, staffing requirements, resource allocation, and identification of future resource needs. Incumbents provide subject matter expertise and interface with all Managerial levels with in the agency and outside agencies and serve as representatives of the division in meetings involving policies, procedures, operation, and administrative systems.

The Director is distinguished from the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer in that the latter has over all managerial responsibility for a large division or area of the Air District.

Supervision Received and/or Exercised:

Supervision is provided by the Deputy Executive Officer of Equity & Community Programs.

Responsible for direct supervision of staff.

Examples of Duties for this Position

The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.
Directs, plans, monitors, and evaluates the goals, operations, policies, procedures, and work standards of a division.
Plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the activities of assigned staff. Coaches assigned staff for career development and performance improvement.
Selects personnel and provides for their training and professional development.
Provides technical and managerial direction to Air District staff and others.
Directs the allocation of resources to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals within budget. Adjusts plans and programs to meet emerging or new programs, while continuing to address major agency priorities.
Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the division's operations, organizational structure, staffing levels, systems, and other internal policies and procedures. Recommends alternative approaches and implements changes.
Represents the Air District at meetings with the public, industry, and other agencies. Serves as the liaison for the agency.
Plans, develops, implements, or directs major or complex projects or programs. Directs the research of complex and highly technical issues, analyzes alternative solutions or approaches, and recommends most effective course of action.
Directs and oversees the preparation and administration of the division's budget.
Develops and presents technical, policy, operational, or administrative issues and recommendations to the Air District Board and executive management.
Reviews and analyzes division and agency reports. Directs the preparation of monthly and annual reports. Directs the gathering and analysis of information and evaluates processes.
Assists in the identification, development, and implementation of agency goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for this classification.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in job-related field and six years of professional level work experience, including three years of management experience. Some positions may require specialized training, education and experience.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
None.

How to Apply & Selection Criteria

Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application, chronological resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26th, 2026. Applications are accepted online. Please visit our website at w ww.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply or to download an application. 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.

Supplemental Questions Instructions:

Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Online 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 one page 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 Criteria:

Selection 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 Air 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.