Assistant Staff Specialist

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The 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 conducting an open recruitment for the position of Assistant Staff Specialist I/II in the Strategic Incentives Division. This is an open recruitment for two (2) full-time, represented positions.

The Strategic Incentives Division supports the Air District's mission by implementing incentive programs (grant programs) 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. In 2023-2024, the SI Division is administering 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 programs administered support the reduction of single-occupancy vehicle, provide cash and mobility options to residents for turning in their older vehicles, and provide grants to reduce pollution from woodburning devices. The Division develops programs to meet community identified strategies for reducing air quality disparities and that benefit the Bay Area's most overburdened communities.

About You in the Position:

As an Assistant Staff Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting grant program administration across the division. Your responsibilities will span many aspects of program implementation, including assisting with outreach efforts, reviewing applications, drafting contract amendments, visiting project sites and completing grant equipment verifications, processing payments, tracking project and funding data, and monitoring projects to ensure compliance with program requirements.

Your attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills will be essential in helping the division meet state grant requirements and in supporting our team, the public, and our grantees. This is a hybrid position that combines remote work (from home) with on-site responsibilities, including time in the office and in the field. Your work will directly contribute to the success of our programs, helping us serve communities effectively, meet our obligations, and advance our mission.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: The Assistant Staff Specialist duties will vary by Division, and will include a subset of the example duties listed below for the specific position.

Assists in the administration and coordination of a variety of District programs and projects; performs administrative tasks.

Assists in the development and implementation of new or improved systems to increase program effectiveness and reduce operational cost; assists in the preparation of cost analyses

Researches and compiles a variety of data and informational materials related to District programs; analyzes and summarizes such information as directed; Assist in preparing verbal and written reports.

Receives and screens visitors and telephone calls, providing factual information which requires the interpretation of policies and procedures.

Responds orally and in writing to inquiries regarding District programs to District staff, industry, public, and other agencies.

Maintains and updates computer databases and systems.

Receives, logs, reviews, processes documents, reports, and applications in accordance with established procedures and in compliance with regulations.

Schedules, attends, and participates in workshops, meetings, and trainings; prepares materials and follows up as required.

Assists in drafting new and revised policies and procedures for various programs.

Confers with industry representatives, District staff, the public and other agencies to obtain and disseminate technical and operational information regarding District programs.

Assists with internal and external program audits.

Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Assistant Staff Specialist I: Equivalent to an Associate degree and one year of experience in office, program, or administrative support.

Assistant Staff Specialist II: In addition to the above, two years of experience providing administrative support services, preferably in an environmental program.

Other Requirements:

Specified positions may require the possession of a valid California driver's license.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: The Assistant Staff Specialist duties will vary by Division, and will require knowledge of a subset of the items listed below for the specific position.

Basic principles of program administration and management including principles, practices and methods of administrative, organization, financial analysis.

Public financing, budgeting and accounting.

Business organizational functions, operations and objectives.

Basic principles and practices of public personnel administration.

Basic principles, methods, and techniques of research, data analysis and statistics.

Principles of work scheduling and coordination.

Report writing methods and techniques.

Applicable District, local, state and federal rules and regulations.

Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Basic theories, principles and practices of air quality and emissions sources.

Skill in: The Assistant Staff Specialist duties will vary by Division, and will require a subset of the skills listed below for the specific position.

Assisting in research studies and reports including the collection, organization, analysis and development of administrative, financial, and organization recommendations.

Preparing basic written analysis and reports.

Understanding budget, financial and account analysis work.

Understanding rules, regulations and guidelines; Be able to assist in explaining requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Communicating effectively with industry representatives, District staff, members of the public and other agencies, orally and in writing.

Maintaining required confidentiality in carrying out assignments, studies and projects.

Using initiative and sound independent judgment; follow established guidelines.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationship with those contacted in the course of the work.

How to Apply & Selection Criteria