Senior Staff Specialist (Strategic Incentives)
San Francisco, CA
| Employer: | Bay Area Air Quality Management District |
| Category: | Other |
| Job Type: | Full Time |
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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 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 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 is accepting applications for the position of Senior Staff Specialist in the Strategic Incentives (SI) Division. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full-time, represented position. The Senior Staff Specialists will be assigned in either the AB617 position or in the Program Lead position. The recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months. The Strategic Incentives Division supports the Air District's mission by managing incentive funding that is awarded to eligible projects 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. Annually, the Strategic Incentives Division administers 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 examples of programs administered by staff in Strategic Incentives support the reduction of single-occupancy vehicles, provide cash and mobility options to residents for turning in their older vehicles, and provide grants to reduce pollution from woodburning devices. The Strategic Incentives Division also works to develop and implement incentive programs to meet community identified strategies for reducing air quality disparities and that benefit the Bay Area's most overburdened communities. About the Positions:Senior Staff Specialist (Program Lead) Assigned to one of the Division's four sections: Operations, On-Road, Off-Road, or Ports, Freight & Marine, the Senior Program Lead serves as a subject matter expert leading staff in the development and administration of mobile source incentives programs. Leveraging your comprehensive knowledge of the Air District's incentive programs and state-approved emission reduction grant initiatives, you will lead the most complex duties within the section you are assigned and support the division with its efforts to reimagine how its programs can achieve the Air District's Strategic Plan goals. You will oversee grant programs and improve processes, develop emissions reduction grant programs, lead solicitations and outreach initiatives, perform the most complex project evaluations, support data management system development for new and modified program requirements, and stay abreast of mobile source regulatory activities and industry readiness for zero-emission technology. You will also coordinate with oversight agencies for technical guidance and case-by-case approvals, oversee the work of vendors and contractors, report and present program data and results, lead and train staff, and review staff work products. This position will require working in the field on occasion to participate in meetings and events, inspect equipment, train, or conduct outreach. Your work will empower our team to make informed decisions that will benefit communities, meet our requirements, and advance our mission. Senior Staff Specialist (AB 617) The Senior Staff Specialist (AB 617 role) serves as lead in developing new grant programs that support community-identified strategies aimed at accelerating air quality improvements in the AB 617 communities of West Oakland, Richmond-San Pablo, East Oakland, and Bayview-Hunters Point/Southeast San Francisco. Leveraging your comprehensive knowledge of the Air District's incentive programs and state-approved emission reduction grant initiatives, you will spearhead efforts to create new grant programs that complement existing ones. Under the guidance of division leadership, you will identify and address gaps in program rollouts, lead applications for new funding from state and federal agencies, obtain approvals from oversight agencies and the Board of Directors to introduce flexibility into existing funding program requirements, and provide preliminary program development support to sections that will operationalize the programs. You will also assist in reviewing Community Emissions Reduction Plans and attend internal and community meetings, present information about new and proposed grant programs to various stakeholders, write grant program materials, support data management system development for new and modified program requirements, and lead and train staff. This position requires occasional nights and weekends for 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. Definition Under direction, provides lead direction and performs the more complex administrative, technical, and specialized functions in the areas of incentives, contracts, business services, finance, budget, and facility management; and performs related work as assigned. Distinguishing Characteristics This is the advanced lead level in the Staff Specialist series. Incumbents may provide lead direction and may be assigned to perform the more complex duties. This class is distinguished from the Supervising Staff Specialist in that the latter assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of assigned staff. This class is distinguished from Staff Specialist I/II, which is at the journey level, and does not typically perform lead work or the most complex duties. Examples of Duties for this Position (Illustrative Only) 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. Calculates emissions reductions, analyzes cost-effectiveness, assesses emissions inventories and performs other technical work within the context of mobile sources and incentives, contracts, business services, finance, budget, and facility management; reviews and summarizes data, prepares special and periodic reports. Leads internal and external audits for programs and assists in physical inspections to ensure compliance with program requirements; prepares and presents staff reports to the District's Board of Directors, and/or sub-committees. Provides lead direction, training and work review to technical and support staff, prioritizes and follows up on work assignments to ensure timely completion. Provides lead direction 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. Provides input into selection decisions and performance evaluations, and provides for technical development and training. Researches technical feasibility and control proposals for new or revised programs; develops and applies quality control and assurance measures to ensure the effectiveness of programs and appropriate application of methods in accordance with District policies, rules, and regulations. Maintains computer databases and program records. Conducts research and prepares and presents reports as assigned. Independently 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. Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience: A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree and four years of professional analytical experience, including developing and administering programs. Some positions may require more specialized education, training and experience. Desirable Qualifications
How to Apply & Selection Criteria How to Apply Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application, chronological resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Applications are accepted online only. Please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply. Resumes must be included, and 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. Postmarks, faxes, and e-mails will not be accepted. Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the supplemental questions. 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. 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. 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. If a panel interview is utilized it will be weighted 100%, and it may include a work exercise that will be scored as a percentage of the total score. 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 that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Benefits The Air District offers the following benefits for full-time, represented and management positions:
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