Air Quality Specialist

Nrel • Golden, CO

343d • $81,500 - $146,700

About The Position

The NREL Environment, Safety, Health & Quality (ESHQ) Office is seeking a mid-level air quality specialist with an emphasis in stationary sources and Title V permitting, with a primary focus on its Denver-area operations. The successful candidate will have an educational background, demonstrated experience, and necessary skills to perform a variety of tasks in support of air quality program areas, including stationary source permitting, emissions tracking and reporting, air dispersion modeling, and ODS/refrigerant management. The ideal candidate for this position must possess excellent regulatory technical skills and must work cooperatively with other members of the ESHQ Office, facilities engineering and maintenance staff, research staff, and DOE oversight staff. Routine and non-routine field tasks can involve work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and, occasionally, outside of normal business hours across five separate facilities located throughout Denver and Golden, CO.

Requirements

• Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 5 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience, or relevant Master's Degree and 3 or more years of experience, or relevant PhD or equivalent relevant education/experience, or relevant JD or equivalent relevant education/experience
• Complete understanding and wide application of technical principles, theories and concepts in the field
• General knowledge of other related disciplines
• Considerable knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field
• Strong leadership, project management and problem solving skills
• Ability to use various computer software programs
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state air regulations with emphasis on the Clean Air Act, PSD, Nonattainment New Source Review, MACT, EPA GHG Tailoring Rule, and Title V permitting
• Advanced knowledge of federal and state ODS/CFC/HCFC/refrigerant regulations
• Capable of managing complex regulatory processes and meeting deadlines with minimal oversight
• Ability to track and interpret federal, state and local air quality and refrigerant regulations, and advise management on future potential permitting and compliance concerns and issues
• Working knowledge of meteorological measurement principles
• Broad understanding of combustion processes and chemistry, emissions control technologies, and emission calculations
• Ability to develop and provide in-depth training on air quality subjects to staff members and consultants throughout the facility
• Superior math skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills grounded by wide-ranging engineering knowledge
• Excellent project management skills
• Superior oral and written communication skills, technical writing skills and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and subcontractors
• Ability to walk up to one mile continuously; able to stand continuously for two hours; able to lift and carry forty-five pounds
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions and, occasionally, outside of normal business hours across five separate facilities located throughout Denver and Golden, CO
• Ability to use basic computer software programs (e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel)
• 3+ years of experience in air quality management, permitting, or compliance
• B.S. Degree in Engineering, Science, Environmental or related field

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience with Colorado Air Pollution Control Division requirements and processes
• Experience with various air dispersion modelling methodologies
• Registered professional engineer

Responsibilities

• Managing, executing, and providing technical expertise on air permitting and compliance projects, including PSD, nonattainment NSR, individual source permitting, and Title V permitting
• Providing air quality-related services, including emissions calculations, performing studies and analyses, evaluating and interpreting regulatory requirements, and compiling and writing reports and other documents
• Interacting directly with state and local regulatory entities
• Developing and maintaining management systems and tools to track sources, emissions, and regulatory compliance matters
• Conducting air dispersion modeling
• Conducting equipment inspections to confirm regulatory and emissions compliance
• Collaborating with other national laboratory air quality staff and DOE air-related working groups
• Partnering with engineering, operations, and environmental teams to support emissions management and align with organizational objectives
• Developing and promoting guidance on air quality topics and requirements for laboratory staff, including maintenance workers and stationary source operators, facility engineering staff, research staff, and construction subcontractors
• Staying current on state and federal air quality regulations and advising on operational impacts
• Participating in the implementation and monitoring of other environmental programs

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Pension benefits
• 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match
• Life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Personal time off (PTO) and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administrative and Support Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees