Planner – Air Quality

Houston-Galveston Area Council • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is one of the largest regional planning commissions in the country, serving a diverse 13-county region with more than 7 million people. H-GAC is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Air Quality Planner to join the Air Quality Team within the Metropolitan Planning & Analysis Division. This position is ideal for a professional interested in environmental policy, sustainability, transportation planning, regional air quality management, and climate action. Under the direction of the Air Quality Program Manager, the Air Quality Planner will support the development and implementation of regional air quality and climate initiatives designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality throughout the Houston-Galveston region. The position will contribute to H-GAC’s air quality planning activities, including the development and implementation of regional air quality plans, including the Clean Air Action Plan, emissions reduction strategies, clean transportation planning including zero-emission vehicle initiatives, data analysis, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and regional coordination. The Air Quality Planner will work collaboratively with local governments, transportation agencies, state and federal partners, community organizations, businesses, universities, and other regional stakeholders to advance practical strategies that improve air quality and support a healthier, more sustainable region.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable academic discipline or related field of study
• Three (3) years of experience working with local government, nonprofit programs, school or in job related duties
• Knowledge of regional air quality, climate, sustainability, transportation, or environmental planning.
• Familiarity with air quality improvement strategies, emissions reduction approaches, and climate action planning.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local air quality regulations and policy frameworks.
• Experience working with emissions inventories, air quality monitoring data, greenhouse gas data, or related environmental datasets.
• Experience with GIS, data visualization, dashboards, or other analytical tools.
• Knowledge of zero-emission vehicles, clean transportation strategies, and transportation electrification.
• Experience supporting grant-funded programs, including grant administration, reporting, or compliance.
• Experience coordinating projects involving multiple agencies, jurisdictions, or stakeholder groups.
• Experience with community outreach, stakeholder engagement, environmental education, or public communications.
• Experience working with local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, councils of governments, or other regional planning organizations.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of regional air quality and climate initiatives designed to reduce emissions and improve air quality throughout the Houston-Galveston region.
• Contribute to H-GAC’s air quality planning activities, including the development and implementation of regional air quality plans, including the Clean Air Action Plan, emissions reduction strategies, clean transportation planning including zero-emission vehicle initiatives, data analysis, program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and regional coordination.
• Work collaboratively with local governments, transportation agencies, state and federal partners, community organizations, businesses, universities, and other regional stakeholders to advance practical strategies that improve air quality and support a healthier, more sustainable region.

Benefits

• The opportunity to work on regional air quality and climate initiatives affecting more than 7 million residents.
• Hands-on experience supporting implementation of air quality planning activities, including the Clean Air Action Plan and regional emissions reduction strategies.
• Exposure to air quality data analysis, emissions inventories, transportation planning, and environmental policy.
• Opportunities to work directly with local governments, transportation agencies, community organizations, businesses, universities, and other regional partners.
• Experience developing and tracking projects, performance measures, and implementation strategies.
• Opportunities to represent H-GAC at regional and professional meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events.
• Professional development and mentorship from experienced planners, policy analysts, and environmental professionals.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level