Entry Level Climate Resilience Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
The Bay Area Air Quality Management 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 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.
The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Staff Specialist I/II in the External Affairs Division. This is an open recruitment for two (2) vacancies which are full-time, represented positions.
DEFINITION
Under direction, performs a variety of responsible administrative, technical and specialized functions in the areas of communication, program coordination, relationship building, information exchange, budgeting activities; and performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Staff Specialist I is the entry level in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn District, state and federal procedures and policies while performing the more routine technical duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more diversified and are performed with less supervision. This class is alternately staffed with Staff Specialist II and incumbents may advance to the higher level classification after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher-level class.
Staff Specialist II is the journey level class of this series, fully-proficient to perform difficult and technical work. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment.
This class is distinguished from Senior Staff Specialist in that the latter is responsible for more complex work and may perform lead duties.

About the Position

The Staff Specialist serves as the primary interface between the Air District and city and county governments across the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma). The incumbent coordinates outreach, policy alignment, and collaborative initiatives to advance the Air District's mission of protecting public health and reducing air pollution. This role requires both technical policy knowledge and strong relationship-building skills to help develop partnerships and facilitate effective two-way communication between the Air District and local jurisdictions, provides technical and policy support, and facilitates collaboration to achieve regional air quality, climate, and environmental justice goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strong working relationships with elected officials, city/county managers, planning staff, public works/environmental departments, and other local government partners.
• Outreach & Engagement: Represent the Air District at city council, county board, and regional agency meetings; provide updates on Air District programs, initiatives, and regulatory activities.
• Policy Support: Track and analyze local policies, ordinances, and initiatives related to air quality, climate change, transportation, and land use; inform Air District leadership on emerging issues.
• Program Coordination: Assist local governments in accessing Air District information, incentives, and technical resources; support implementation of clean air and climate initiatives at the local level.
• Community Interface: Work with Environmental Justice Division to coordinate work with community-based organizations, environmental justice advocates, and the public to strengthen collaboration between local governments and the Air District.
• Coordinate response: Coordinate response to inquiries and concerns from local officials and constituents, coordinating with Air District staff to provide timely information and solutions.
• Strategic Communication: Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and correspondence for elected officials, staff, and stakeholders.
• Regional Collaboration: Facilitate partnerships among local governments to align efforts on regional air quality, climate resilience, and public health initiatives.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Participates and assists in the development of policies and guidelines for assigned programs.
Prepares Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Quotations (RFQs); prepares contract documents and other agreements using standard District procedures; and reviews contract terms and conditions.
Coordinates and facilitates workshops, meetings, and trainings on the technical application and interpretation of District programs, regulations and rules; makes presentations and develops supporting technical materials.
Maintains computer databases and program records.
Prepares and presents staff reports to the District's Board of Directors, and/or sub-committees; conducts research and prepares and presents reports as assigned.
Provides routine outreach and communication on behalf of the District with industry, the public and other agencies to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information.
Prepares and responds to correspondence directed toward public and private organizations relative to programs; responds to oral and written requests for information about programs.
Explains and interprets technical policies, rules and regulations regarding programs; gathers and prepares background information.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:
Staff Specialist I: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and two years of professional analytical experience.
Staff Specialist II: In addition to the above, two years of professional analytical experience.
Some positions may require more specialized education, training and experience.
Preferred Qualifications

• Frequent travel within the nine-county Bay Area
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings to attend local government sessions or community events.
• Hybrid schedule (onsite at Bay Area Air District San Francisco office, with telework options).

QUALIFICATIONS
NOTE: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics. Positions may be filled at either the I or II level depending on the needs of the agency.
Knowledge of:
Methods and techniques of administrative analyses
Administrative organization and operating principles and practices.
Training theory, methods and techniques.
Computer software applications.
Project development and management.
Applicable District, local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Basic theories, principles, and practices of air quality, control technologies/methods, and emission sources.
Skill in:
Developing and administering effective programs.
Preparing clear and concise technical reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questions no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026. Applications are accepted online only. Please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply or to download an application.
Resumes can be included, but not 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 Questionnaire Instructions:
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the supplemental questions. Both paper and online applications must be received by the Human Resources Office no later than the time and date specified in the vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria in the vacancy announcement.
Instructions: 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. Please be advised that the information you provide will be evaluated "as is" and incomplete or illegible applications will likely receive lower ratings. Therefore, it is very important to provide a concise, organized, and easy to follow response to each question.
You must provide the following for each question regarding experience: The name of the employer where you gained your experience, your job title, length of time in years/months performing the specific function, and detailed examples that illustrate your duties and responsibilities.
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.
Updates regarding your status in the recruitment will be sent via email, unless you indicate a different preference on your application.
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 Air District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.