Staff Specialist I/II

Bay Area Air District•San Francisco, CA

2d•Hybrid

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.

Requirements

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.
Frequent travel within the nine-county Bay Area
Occasional evening or weekend meetings to attend local government sessions or community events.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, planning, environmental management, or a closely related field.
Experience working directly with elected officials and senior policy staff.
Familiarity with environmental justice frameworks, community-based outreach, and equity-focused program design.
Knowledge of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), transportation funding processes, and/or regional incentive programs (e.g., Carl Moyer).
Bilingual skills applicable to Bay Area communities.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with elected officials, city/county managers, planning staff, public works/environmental departments, and other local government partners.
Represent the Air District at city council, county board, and regional agency meetings; provide updates on Air District programs, initiatives, and regulatory activities.
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.
Assist local governments in accessing Air District information, incentives, and technical resources; support implementation of clean air and climate initiatives at the local level.
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 to inquiries and concerns from local officials and constituents, coordinating with Air District staff to provide timely information and solutions.
Prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and correspondence for elected officials, staff, and stakeholders.
Facilitate partnerships among local governments to align efforts on regional air quality, climate resilience, and public health initiatives.
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.