Air Quality Analyst

Job Type

Full-time

Description

DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?

You enjoy conducting air quality and greenhouse gas analyses to support CEQA and NEPA documents for a wide range of project types throughout the State, including infrastructure and land use development. The ideal candidate will have a passion for technical emissions modeling, air quality, and greenhouse gas impact analysis. 

Ascent is seeking an Air Quality Analyst to join either our Sacramento, San Diego, Berkeley, or Irvine office as part of the Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas/Energy/Noise/Transportation (AGENTs) services team. In a typical week in this position, you might: 

• Prepare interesting and complex environmental and regulatory analyses for a wide variety of projects throughout California.
• Team up with project managers, principals, and air quality colleagues on all your projects.
• Discuss project impact, mitigation, and technical approaches with recognized statewide leaders in air quality and CEQA/NEPA.
• Work for clients like the California Air Resources Board, Attorney General’s Office, major regional air districts, and cities and counties.
• Utilize and develop skills using software such as CalEEMOD, AERMOD, and HARP.
• Run models, make spreadsheets, and author analytical sections of CEQA and NEPA documents as well as stand-alone technical reports.
• Tackle a broad range of technical issues on your own and within a team.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Requirements

• Civil or environmental engineering, math, environmental science, atmospheric science, meteorology, geography, natural resources management, planning, or a related field.  
• A minimum of 2-5 years of relevant professional experience.  More senior candidates will also be considered; candidates will be hired at a position commensurate with their experience.
• Strong analytical, computer, spreadsheet, and writing skills are a must, and proficiency in word processing, tabular calculation software, and emissions modeling software, or the ability to learn such skills, is desired.
• Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience running air quality emission models (EMFAC, CT-EMFAC, CalEEMod, OFFROAD, MOVES), and dispersion models (CALINE-4, AERMOD, HARP) to evaluate project-related construction and operational emission and health impacts.
• Familiarity with state and federal air quality and climate change environmental policy and regulation, including CEQA, NEPA, and Clean Air Act, preferred.
• Thorough understanding of the principles and practices including meteorology, chemistry, and factors affecting air pollution distribution and effects. 
• Understanding of US EPA, California Air Resources Board, and local Air Quality Management District or Air Pollution Control District air quality regulatory programs and their relationship to the Federal and State Clean Air Acts.  

Work environment 

• Typical office environment/Hybrid Work-from-Home

Physical Demands 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time. 

Travel 

• Limited travel may be required. 

Work authorization/security clearance requirements : Not eligible for sponsorship

Additional eligibility requirements: N/A   

At Ascent, we believe in fostering a nurturing environment, that prioritizes our people. We are committed to holistic investments in our team, offering not only competitive salaries and comprehensive medical benefits but also a range of perks designed to enhance emotional, financial, and physical wellness. A comprehensive listing of benefits offered can be found here.

As a people first organization, we value and will strive to ascend by welcoming and uplifting all voices, ideas, achievements, and contributions, including those from marginalized communities and identities. We believe that recognizing and embracing our differences makes us a stronger organization. We commit to proactively nurturing environments of mutual support, respect, and caring for all through our words and actions. 

Interested in learning more about Ascent's culture? Reach out to our People Resources team at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

EEO Statement

Ascent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Ascent is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact [email protected].

Ascent strives for equity in every area at Ascent, including compensation. To ensure candidates are paid fairly the offered salary will fall within this range and will be determined based on the candidate's demonstrated qualifications and alignment with the requirements of the position outlined above.  

Salary Description

$74,500 to $115,000