Staff Specialist I/II (Community Engagement) - Limited Term

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 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.

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 currently accepting applications for the position of Staff Specialist I/II in the Community Engagement Office. This is an open recruitment for two (2) full-time, limited-term contract positions. Both positions are for a 3-year term.

This is a Limited Term Contract Employee (LTCE) Position.  LTCE positions are funded by grants or other designated funds which are not part of the Air District’s ongoing general fund budget.  LTCE positions are subject to individual employment contracts and are limited to the duration of their funding source.  Regular employees have the right to apply for an LTCE position.   However, LTCE positions are not subject to the terms of the Employee Association MOU, and LTCE employees serve on an at-will basis.  

About You in the Position

Are you interested in reducing air pollution and improving health outcomes in the most impacted and overburdened communities in the Bay Area? Are you motivated to develop and implement plans, projects and policies that address air pollution injustices and inequities?

The Assembly Bill 617 Staff Specialist I/II will support outreach, engagement and partnerships with communities overburdened by air pollution to advance solutions towards equity and environmental justice. One position will support two teams that are working to co-develop local Community Emissions Reduction Plans with environmental justice communities in East Oakland and Bayview Hunters Point/ Southeastern San Francsico as part of the Air District’s Community Health Protection Program (Assembly Bill 617). Another position will support the Richmond/ North Richmond/ San Pablo team that is working towards implementation phase of the Community Emissions Reduction Plan. The Staff Specialist will work with teams to implement outreach and engagement activities to support monthly Community Steering Meetings, including:

• Creating agendas and taking detailed notes for internal planning meetings and external meetings with community-based organizations, Co-Chairs, Co-Lead partners on AB 617 community projects.
• Coordinating and facilitating meetings with community members. 
• Creating and reviewing template PowerPoint presentations and agendas for conformance with guidelines and policies.
• Coordinating or working with a consultant on event planning and logistics for virtual, hybrid and in-person monthly Community Steering Committee meetings and other sub-committee meetings.
• Effectively communicating, in writing and orally, to wide variety of audiences, including government staff, community residents, businesses and Board members.
• Actively interpreting complex and technical information to community members. 
• Drafting contract Scopes of Work, participating in bid processes, reviewing and analyzing invoices received from consultants and cross referencing with Scope of Work, provides status of invoice payments, monitoring contract budget and confirmation of payments. 
• Conducting routine outreach and communication on behalf of the Air District to community members.

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. Communities can also be selected to prepare community-led monitoring plans. 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 Richmond 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.

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs a variety of responsible 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

Staff Specialist I is the entry level in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn District, state and federal procedures and policies while performing the more routine technical duties. As experience is gained, assignments become more diversified and are performed with less supervision. This class is alternately staffed with Staff Specialist II and incumbents may advance to the higher level classification after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency which meet the qualifications of the higher level class.

Staff Specialist II is the journey level class of this series, fully-proficient to perform difficult and technical work. Incumbents are expected to exercise independent judgment.

This class is distinguished from Senior Staff Specialist in that the latter is responsible for more complex work and may perform lead duties.

Examples of Duties for this Position

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 and prepares cost analyses.

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

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.

Some positions may require more specialized education, training and experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of short- and long-term project planning and implementation and project management.
• Creates and implements strategies that aligns with organization and project goals.
• Knowledge of and proficiency with a variety of computer programs including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Strong communication skills, ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of principles of continuous process improvement. 
• Knowledge of financial management, including budget development and monitoring.
• Knowledge of grants and contracts management 
• Applicable District, local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Basic theories, principles, and practices of air quality, control technologies/methods, and emission sources.
• Understanding of the intersections of the environment, public health, land use planning. 
• Defining and applying Environmental Justice Principles in California. 
• Government and community partnerships.
• Cultural competence and emotional intelligence.
• Knowledge of consensus decision-making and conflict resolution.

Skill in:

• Developing and administering effective programs, managing multiple projects simultaneously and delivering high-quality results on time and on budget.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of groups in the course of the work.
• Working well in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Working effectively with culturally diverse populations.
• Effectively communicating verbally and in writing and skilled in actively listening to produce clear and concise technical reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Meeting facilitation and community engagement, active listening, note taking and providing detailed summary of meetings for wide audiences.
• Working with community members to set agendas, produce work products, support consensus decision making, and problem solving. 

Other Requirements

Must be willing to attend meetings outside of regular working hours.

LTCEs are eligible to receive a generous benefits package, including Medical, Dental & Vision Options, Life Insurance, CalPERS Retirement Plan, Floating Holiday Leave, 14 Paid Holidays, Flexible Work Schedule/Remote Options, Transit Subsidy, Educational Reimbursement, and more.

Please see a full list of benefits here: https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-the-air-district/job-opportunities/benefits-resources