Sr Air Quality and Climate Change Specialist

LSA is seeking an experienced Senior Air Quality and Climate Change Specialist. The successful candidate will manage and prepare technical studies related to greenhouse gas emissions and air quality and will lead the preparation of climate action and adaptation plans. Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent writing, presentation, interpersonal, and time management skills, in addition to having an active interest in and experience with planning work, State and regional air quality and climate policy, and environmental review requirements. Our team works to support public and private sector clients in the development of project and plan-level environmental reviews to help projects move forward sustainably, and to provide industry leading climate action and adaptation planning support services.

The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of air quality and climate change consulting experience for a wide range of land uses and activities, including transportation and urban land development projects. They will have experience and expertise preparing technical studies per California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requirements for air quality, energy and greenhouse gas emissions impact assessments. Interest and experience related to planning for climate action and adaptation is required for the position.

Responsibilities shall include managing and preparing technical studies and CEQA/NEPA technical resource sections, conducting or interpreting the results of health risk assessments, researching and interpreting air quality and climate change legislation and regulations, providing permitting and compliance support, leading climate action and adaptation projects, conducting climate risk and vulnerability analysis, preparing local hazard mitigation plans, preparing local and regional GHG emissions inventories, providing direction for and constructive review of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses and related illustrative figures, leading and directing climate modeling analysis including local and regional climate change projections, assisting the Group Manager in leading and mentoring staff working on climate action plans and related projects, coordinating work with subconsultants and project team members, providing direction to junior staff, leading business development efforts, and meeting with clients to review needs and develop strategies for fulfilling those needs. This position can be affiliated with any of LSA’s offices - remote and flex-work options will also be considered.

The following skills are desired:

• Practicing knowledge of air quality impact analyses, health risk assessment methodologies, air quality permitting, and GHG emissions analyses.
• Understanding of local, state, and federal air quality rules and regulations including air district regulatory programs, the federal and state Clean Air Act, and GHG emissions regulations.
• Ability to perform air quality and greenhouse gas technical analyses in support of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for various types of public and private projects.
• Ability to quantify criteria air pollutant and GHG emissions, pollutant concentrations, and health risks using computer models and spreadsheets.
• Practicing knowledge of modeling tools and databases including CalEEMod, EMFAC, OFFROAD, CALINE4, AERMOD, ArcGIS, and climate modelling tools including Cal Adapt.
• Familiarity and expertise working on climate adaptation projects and climate risk and vulnerability assessments, including knowledge of adaptation guidelines and resources, and experience with the preparation of local hazard mitigation plans.
• Knowledge of requirements to support application packages for air permits.
• Ability to assist in the development of new climate action planning tools and products to use in our practice.
• Strong Microsoft Office computer skills; advanced practice of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.
• Management of multiple tasks within scope/budget/schedule expectations and ensuring quality standards on project deliverables.
• Facilitation skills and strong verbal communication skills to lead project team and stakeholder meetings, and guide groups in constructive discussions concerning projects.
• Ability to assist the group manager with business development and proposal efforts.

Education and Experience

A B.S./B.A. or M.S. in Planning, Environmental Science, or similar disciplines; an M.S. or graduate level coursework is preferred. This level may be achieved with a minimum of five years' experience since completion of a Bachelor’s degree, or four years’ experience with Master’s degree; a typical incumbent has seven to 10 years' experience. The ideal work experience is in env