SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW:

South Coast Air Quality Management District is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the nation. We serve a four-county region that includes all of Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, home to almost 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways.  With a highly diverse and dedicated "Clean Air Team" of over 900 budgeted positions, an annual budget (FY 2019-20) of $170.9  million, South Coast AQMD's mission is to protect public health from air pollution through a comprehensive program of planning, regulation, education, enforcement, compliance incentives, technical innovation, and promotion of public understanding of air quality issues.
 
South Coast AQMD's state-of-the-art laboratory employs over 45 staff in a 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to air quality sample analysis.  It provides a broad array of services, generating data that is used for strategic planning, investigating residents' complaints, protecting public health through analysis of hazardous air pollutants, evaluating new products and processes, and determining compliance with regulations.  We also provide data to the California Air Resources Board, US EPA, law enforcement agencies and universities.  Results generated by the laboratory have been the catalyst for agency-wide policy decisions, special studies and development of new technologies.  We analyze over 20,000 samples every year using gas, ion, and liquid chromatographs, GC/MS, X-ray analyzers, FTIR, wet chemistry, microscopes, and ICP/MS to generate detailed information on the types and amount of contaminants in ambient air.  Most instruments have a PC for data acquisition, and many are automated and computer-controlled.  Because of this broad diversity of instrumentation, our laboratory enjoys national recognition as a front-runner in the field of air quality analytical chemistry.  Our staff has a strong team spirit, is highly trained, motivated and dedicated to finding new and innovative techniques to improve results, while maintaining high qualitystandards.
 
We are currently recruiting to fill multiple vacancies.  From this recruitment process, we expect to establish an eligibility list from which current and future vacancies at this level may be filled, during the life of the list.

Air Quality Chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical and physical analyses, using a variety of techniques, procedures and instrumentation, to evaluate air quality and determine the kind and concentration of contaminants present; develops and implements new analytical methods, as directed.

Assistant Air Quality Chemists and Air Quality Chemists are alternatively staffed classes, as the duties performed by the two are similar and vary primarily in the degree of difficulty and complexity of work, the breadth and depth of knowledge required, and the independence of action with which the work is performed.  Positions are allocated at the Air Quality Chemist level and new staff may be hired at either level, depending on their qualifications and the needs of SCAQMD.  Individuals hired at the level of Assistant Air Quality Chemist are eligible for consideration for promotion to the next level upon successful performance of assigned duties for the required minimum period of time.

BOTH LEVELS REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING EDUCATION:  Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

EXPERIENCE:  No experience is required for Assistant Air Quality Chemist.  For the Air Quality Chemist, three years as an Assistant Air Quality Chemist or equivalent is required.  SUBSTITUTION:  A Master of Science (MS) degree in Chemistry may substitute for up to one year of the required experience; a doctorate in chemistry may substitute for up to two years of experience.

BENEFITS:  South Coast AQMD offers an excellent benefits package and a defined benefits retirement program.  Our beautiful corporate campus houses our 700+ employees, a large public conference center, cafeteria, and fitness and childcare centers.  (Sorry, no relocation funds are available.)

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See our Careers web page at http://www.aqmd.gov/careers
for more detailed information about these positions, the requirements, and how to apply.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Posting will close at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2019
OR when a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied.

SOUTH COAST AQMD PROUDLY PROMOTES DIVERSITY IN EMPLOYMENT

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