Staff Air Pollution Specialist

This position is a 12-month Limited Term (LT) and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

If you have permanent status and have passed probation, you have mandatory reinstatement rights into your former position/classification at the end of this LT appointment. You will be separated from state service if you have not had prior permanent or probationary civil service status. During this 12-month limited-term assignment, you may be entitled to receive health, dental, and vision benefits. You will also earn State Service and accrue monthly leave credits.

 

The Regulatory Development Section (RDS) within the Monitoring and Laboratory Division (MLD) is seeking a highly skilled Staff Air Pollution Specialist to help implement a multi-agency pilot program involving the repurposing of crude oil and natural gas wells and production infrastructure for energy storage and generation.

Senate Bill (SB) 567, authored by Senator Monique Limón and signed into law in October of 2025, establishes the Gravity Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program, which will sunset on January 1, 2035. It authorizes the conversion of 250 idle crude oil and natural gas wells to gravity-based energy storage systems. Under SB 567, CARB will collaborate with the Department of Conservation, California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to establish criteria for mechanical integrity testing, continuous leak monitoring of air pollutants, and reporting protocols. CARB will also serve as a key technical and policy advisor alongside CalGEM, SWRCB, and interested parties to evaluate the pilot’s progress and to include recommendations whether to continue the Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Program.

Duties include: 1) providing leadership and direction in the review and evaluation of monitoring technologies which could be applied to the continuous monitoring of toxic air pollutants from leaks; 2) leading a multi disciplinary team of engineers and specialists within CARB to develop guidelines for the pilot program, which will include elements such as continuous leak detection performance standards, data reporting and assisting CalGEM in reviewing and determining if plans submitted by the operators comply with the guidelines; 3) facilitating stakeholder engagement activities, explaining complex technical requirements in plain english, leading meetings with interested stakeholders such as community groups, oil and gas operators, and the public; 4) working with CalGEM and SWRCB to evaluate the results of the pilot program and recommending if a Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Program along with conditions should be made permanent.

This position will require the candidate to possess a driver license and to pass defensive driving training courses, enroll in the DMV Pull Notice Program, and maintain a “good” driver status. Additionally, the candidate must be willing to travel up to 25 percent of the time, climb ladders, work outdoors, in close proximity to oil and gas production equipment, where exposure to air emissions, fumes, heat, mechanical hazards, and vehicle traffic are present. The candidate must participate in appropriate field safety training and be willing to wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to a hard hat, safety shoes with toe protection, reflective vest, Nomex overalls, hearing protections, gloves, and safety glasses. This position will require the employee to pass a pre-employment physical.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

PLP Language:

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)  
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
• Climb ladders, work outdoors in and around oil and gas production equipment, with potential exposure to air emissions, fumes, heat, mechanical hazards, and vehicle traffic, and wear personal protective equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required
• Will require the candidate to possess a driver license and to pass training courses (including periodic refresher courses) in defensive driving, enroll in the DMV Pull Notice Program and maintain a “good” driver status.