Senior Staff Specialist

JOB

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 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 recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring. The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Staff Specialist (Program Lead). This is an open recruitment for two (2) full-time, presented positions: one (1) vacancy in the Technology Implementation Office and one (1) vacancy in the Strategic Incentives Division. The position in Strategic Incentives Division may require work in the field to participate in meetings and events, inspect equipment, train, or conduct outreach.About the Technology Implementation OfficeThe Technology Implementation Office (TIO) was established in 2017 and its mission is to advance emerging solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the transportation and industrial source sectors. TIO connects climate technologies and customers by providing financial incentives (through grants and loans) as well as technical and matchmaking support. Climate technology areas include zero emissions vehicles and infrastructure, zero emissions energy storage and backup systems, composting, and waste-to-energy projects (co-digestion, waste treatment, anaerobic digestion, combined heat and power). By supporting the scale-up of climate technologies, TIO can help achieve state and regional greenhouse gas emissions targets, reduce emissions in impacted communities, while also making technologies cost-effective even in regions without strong climate policies.In addition to electric vehicle and charging programs, the TIO administers the Climate Tech Finance program which offers loan guarantees to help entrepreneurs secure debt financing, such as a loan through a community bank, so they can commercialize emerging technologies faster. By offsetting the risk for banks, the program helps entrepreneurs bridge a challenging financial gap on the path to commercialization. In many cases, the Climate Tech Finance program is helping entrepreneurs get their first business loan.About the Strategic Incentives DivisionThe Strategic Incentives (SI) 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 to residents for retiring their older vehicles, and provide grants to reduce pollution from woodburning devices and lawn and garden equipment. 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.DefinitionUnder 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 CharacteristicsThis 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.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

(Illustrative only)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.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.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.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.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.Prepares and presents staff reports to the Air District's Board of Directors, and/or sub-committeesProvides input into selection decisions and performance evaluations, and provides for technical development and training.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.Leads internal and external audits for programs and assists in physical inspections to ensure compliance with program requirements.Conducts research and prepares and presents reports as assigned.Independently provides routine outreach and communication on behalf of the Air 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.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

How to ApplyInterested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Applications are accepted online; please visit our website at to apply. 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.Supplemental Questions InstructionsIndividuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Office no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section. 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. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question. Selection CriteriaSelection 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.The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Office at The Air District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.