Freelance Air Quality Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $108,571.56 - $145,496.28 Annually
Location : 375 Beale St # 600, San Francisco, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: AG-2026-8P002-ENG
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 04/20/2026
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 Air Quality Engineer I/II in the Engineering Division. This is an open recruitment for up to three (3) vacancies which are full-time, represented positions.
DEFINITION
Under direction, performs professional engineering work in a variety of areas such as permit application evaluation, calculation of air pollutant emissions, toxic risk screening and health risk assessment evaluations, compliance audits and sources testing; performs related work as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Air Quality Engineer I is the entry-level class of this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of routine air quality engineering duties while learning District policies and procedures and specialized air quality knowledge. With experience, the work becomes increasingly more diversified and difficult and requires increasing independence of judgment. This class is alternately staffed with Air Quality Engineer II and incumbents may progress to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications for the higher level class.
About the Position
The Engineering Division evaluates permit applications and reviews permit renewals for equipment and operations that emit air pollutants in the Air District's jurisdiction. The division provides technical support to other agency programs and assists businesses, trade associations, agencies, environmental groups, and community members with issues related to permitting and compliance.
Beyond specific permitting work, some of the important programs and projects in which the Engineering Division are actively engaged include but not limited to:

• Emissions modeling of toxic air contaminants including Health Risk Assessments
• Verification of emissions inventories
• Data/database development and management
• Technical support for rules and regulations

Examples of Duties for this Position
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (Illustrative Only)
Reviews and evaluates permit applications, including calculating emission rates and permit fees, determining compliance or non-compliance with air quality regulations, determining and recommending best available control technology, defining permit conditions and issuing authority to construct permits; screens and processes annual data updates for permits.
Participates in calculating, reviewing and correcting the emissions inventory; evaluates accuracy of source emission calculations and methodologies.
Responds to industry, public and District inquiries regarding regulation interpretation, permit preparation, various compliance measures and emission calculation methods in person, by telephone and in writing.
Develops and recommends revisions to District procedures and regulations.
Reviews permit and enforcement files to prepare materials and responses for variance requests, violation notices and case summaries and hearing board referrals; recommends appropriate actions; may testify on behalf of the District.
Conducts on-site compliance inspections of sources and abatement devices; evaluates compliance and recommends enforcement actions.
Uses a computer terminal and a variety of software and programs to make engineering calculations, enter and retrieve data and to monitor and correct data entry; investigates and corrects errors in the data bank.
Conducts toxic risk screening and risk assessment analyses; calculates toxic emissions, determines and applies appropriate air dispersion model, calculates maximum concentrations and calculates risk; recommends approval or denial of permit application.
Conducts environmental audits, compliance inspections and source tests; evaluates results and recommends appropriate actions, including violation notices.
Operates, maintains and calibrates instruments; prepares and dismantles testing equipment and materials; fabricates specialized equipment.
May coordinate assigned engineering projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:
Air Quality Engineer I: Equivalent to graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in environmental, chemical, mechanical or petroleum engineering or a closely related field and two years of experience in mechanical, industrial, chemical, petroleum or related process engineering.
Air Quality Engineer II: In addition to the above, two years of air quality environmental engineering experience.
How to Apply & Selection Criteria
Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application and responses to the supplemental questions. This is a continuous recruitment. Applications are accepted online only. Please visit our website atwww.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. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria in the vacancy announcement. Your responses should be as detailed as possible.
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.
• For each question regarding experience, you must provide: 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.

Please be advised that the information you provide will be evaluated "as is" and incomplete applications will likely receive lower ratings. Therefore, it is very important to provide a concise, organized, and easy to follow 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.
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.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIwt9DmcYNk?&wmode=opaque&rel=0
The Air District offers the following benefits for full-time, represented and management positions:

• Cost-Sharing Medical, Dental & Vision Options
• Life Insurance (up to 5 times annual salary)
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• Money Purchase Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Transit Subsidy
• Education Reimbursement
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Floating Holiday Leave
• 9-80 Compressed Work Week
• Flexible schedule and Remote Work option
• Employees Assistance Program
• and the Opportunity to Help Provide a Healthy Breathing Environment for Every Bay Area Resident.

For a list of the full benefits, please click
01
Please describe your education and training that qualifies you for this position. Include your major coursework, degrees, and/or certificates received.
02
Please describe your professional experience in detail that qualifies you for this position. Include number of years of experience and any experience with air quality/environmental rules and regulations or reviewing and evaluating air emissions. Include your experience with specific industries, equipment or operations, especially with regards to resulting air emissions and/or the control of those emissions.
03
Please describe your experience communicating (both orally and in writing) engineering projects, scientific principles, regulations, and or permitting processes to technical and non-technical audiences. Include the subject matter, the types of audience, methods used and examples of issues/questions you had to address.
04
Please provide an example where you addressed (either successfully or not) a complex engineering problem/issue. With your example, please:A. Describe your role and the major contribution that you made, challenges you encountered, and how you prioritized tasks and deadlines. B. Discuss to the extent the problem/issue was resolved and why. Include any lessons learned.C. What engineering methods or tools were used and what you would choose if you had the opportunity to address the engineering problem / issue again.
Required Question