Air Quality Specialist

LSA is seeking a motivated and technically capable Air Quality Specialist who will support a broad range of services including air quality emissions and dispersion modeling, CEQA/NEPA technical studies, permit support, and climate-resilience analyses. The successful candidate will work in a hybrid mode (office + remote) from any of our California offices, supporting our Air Quality team members in completing air quality, energy and greenhouse gas emissions impact analysis and delivering high-quality work products for public and private-sector clients.

As our Air Quality & Climate Change team continues to expand its service offerings across California, we are seeking an Air Quality Specialist who is energized by both project delivery and practice development.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare technical sections (air quality, GHG, climate change) for CEQA/NEPA documents, environmental impact reports/statements, mitigation monitoring/implementation plans, and stand-alone technical memoranda.
• Perform air emissions inventories, mobile/area/stationary source analyses, and calculate criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for construction and operations using CalEEMod, CT-EMFAC, and similar emissions models and databases.
• Conduct or interpret dispersion modeling (e.g., AERMOD, HARP, CALINE, etc.), screening and/or detailed health-risk assessments, and air-quality impact analyses in support of project approvals and regulatory compliance.
• Review applicable federal, state, and local air quality and climate regulations and guidance, including the Clean Air Act, California Air Resources Board (CARB) programs, local air districts, and climate-action frameworks.
• Collaborate with internal teams, assist in the preparation of proposals, and support business development and team growth.
• Translate technical findings into clear, actionable language for clients, agencies and stakeholders including non-technical audiences.
• Manage portions of project schedule, budget, and quality control in collaboration with project managers and principal leads.

Education and Experience

Requirements

• A B.S./B.A. or M.S. in Planning, Environmental Science, or similar disciplines is preferred.
• 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in air quality/greenhouse gas analysis, modeling, environmental planning, permitting or consulting in California (or equivalent).
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), interested and comfortable in learning and using modeling tools (e.g., CalEEMod, EMFAC, OFFROAD, AERMOD, HARP).
• Strong writing, analytical, problem-solving, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment; manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Eligibility to work in the U.S. and willingness to travel occasionally to client sites or attend meetings.

Preferred Skills & Attributes

• Experience preparing CEQA/NEPA documents (EIRs/EISs/IS/MNDs) including writing technical sections for air quality, energy and GHG.
• Familiarity with California air districts’ permitting and compliance processes, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mobile and off-road emission programs, and California climate legislation (e.g., AB 32, SB 32, AB 1279).
• Experience with health-risk assessments (air toxics).
• Business development interest/experience: proposal writing, statement of qualifications, client relationship building.
• Master’s degree in related field is a plus, and professional certification (e.g., AICP, P.E., or similar) or plans to pursue is a bonus.

Compensation 

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000 per year. The compensation offer will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. 

About the Organization 

LSA is a diversified environmental, transportation, and community planning organization. We are recognized as innovators in the field of environmental impact assessment, and we have developed a reputation among clients and professional peers in both the public and private sectors as being thorough, innovative, and objective. 

LSA's employee-owners are its most valuable resource. LSA fosters professional development and personal growth in an environment that offers opportunities for training and enrichment. LSA takes great pride in its work and looks for talented, dedicated professionals to join its team. We are always looking for energetic and enthusiastic people. If you enjoy working with clients and collea