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Job Description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
ABOUT SOUTH COAST AQMD
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 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 "Clean Air Team" of over 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air.
ABOUT HEARING BOARD
To ensure fairness in our regulatory actions, a separate, quasi-judicial Hearing Board was chartered under Division 26 of the California Health and Safety Code to provide an appellate process for companies and public agencies that are subject to South Coast AQMD rules and regulations. The Hearing Board has authority to grant variances for South Coast AQMD rules, revoke and suspend South Coast AQMD operating permits, and issue Orders of Abatement. As state law requires, Hearing Board members are appointed by, but act independently of, South Coast AQMD's Governing Board.
Currently, we are seeking to make the following appointments to the South Coast AQMD's Hearing Board: two Public Members and two alternates, and one Medical Member and one alternate.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
HEARING BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
After hearing all sides of a case in which individuals or companies come into conflict with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, the Hearing Board weighs the evidence and reaches a decision. The Hearing Board is authorized to hear:- Petitions by companies for variances
- Petitions for abatement orders (an abatement order requires a company operating out of compliance to take specific actions or to shut down its operation, a severe remedy normally reserved for serious violators)
- Appeals by companies from the granting of permits, permit conditions, permit denials and suspensions, denials of emission reduction credits and denials of pollution control plans
- Appeals by third parties
The Hearing Board is not authorized to modify South Coast AQMD rules; exempt a business from complying with a rule; grant a variance from a violation of the public nuisance law, such as one that creates an odor problem or threatens public health or property; or review a violation notice in any way.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HEARING BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The term of appointment to the Hearing Board is three years. The terms of office for the incumbent Public and Medical Members, and their Alternate Members, will terminate on June 30, 2025. South Coast AQMD is seeking candidates for appointment to the new term, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Hearing Board Members are required to be available, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Member-elected Chair is required to be available four days per week, Tuesday through Friday, to handle ex parte variances, pre-hearing conferences, and single-member hearings.
In addition, with reasonable notice, members must be available on occasional evenings and weekends, to accommodate public participation on issues of strong community interest.
Alternate Members serve in the absence of the Regular Member, on an as-needed, per diem basis.
COMPENSATION
Non-Medical Members
Non-Medical Hearing Board Members (Attorney, Engineer, and Public Members) are compensated at a rate of $7,500 per month. However, for each day absent, monthly compensation shall be reduced by $585.07 for non-Medical Members.
Alternate non-Medical Hearing Board Members are compensated at the rate of $585.07 per day when the Regular Member is unavailable.
Medical Member
The Medical Member of the Hearing Board is compensated at the rate of $12, 500 per month. However, for each day absent, monthly compensation shall be reduced by $974.97 for Medical Members.
The Alternate Medical Hearing Board Member is compensated at the rate of $974.97 per day when the Regular Member is unavailable.
In addition, the member elected as Chair of the Hearing Board shall be compensated at a rate of $9,750 per month; and each Member or Alternate Member shall receive reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging as prescribed by South Couth AQMD's Administrative Code when performing his/her official functions or attending approved conferences, in an amount not to exceed $8,000 per year. No other compensation or benefits are provided.
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION FOR REGULAR AND ALTERNATE MEMBERS
Newly appointed Regular Members or Alternate Members having no prior experience on South Coast AQMD's Hearing Board are expected to participate in an orientation period not to exceed 15 days or until the Alternate sits in the place of a Regular Member, whichever occurs first, at a compensation of $198 per day, or $330 per day for the Alternate Medical Member. The orientation period is to develop familiarity with South Coast AQMD Hearing Board methods and procedures.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
PUBLIC MEMBERS REQUIREMENTS : Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of environmental/air quality issues; participation in matters relating to the environment and/or air pollution control in the South Coast Basin; and community activity and/or public service experience.
MEDICAL MEMBER REQUIREMENTS: Must be a licensed physician with two or more years of practical experience, preferable in the fields of epidemiology, physiology, toxicology, or related fields.
Note: Candidates who reside within the South Coast Basin, which includes all of Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties are preferred, but local residency is not a requirement for these positions.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Interested candidates must submit a completed online South Coast AQMD employment application (including at least three references), with attached resume and cover letter for these positions. The cover letter must be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and state your reason for applying to serve on the Hearing Board.
DEADLINE:
The application with attached resume must be filed online at http://www.aqmd.gov/careers by no later than 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2025.
It is anticipated that these appointments will be acted upon by the Governing Board at its May 2, 2025 meeting. New Member orientation is scheduled for May and June 2025, and the new three-year term begins July 1, 2025.
For questions about the application process, or to request an accommodation at any time during the selection process, please contact Human Resources at (909) 396-2800.
For additional information about the Hearing Board, go to www.aqmd.gov and click on “About,” and then, “Hearing Board”. If you have further questions, please email the Clerk of the Boards at clerkofboard@aqmd.gov .
Except as described below, No other compensation or benefits are provided.
COMPENSATION
Non-Medical Members
Non-Medical Members (Attorney, Engineer, and Public Members) of the South Coast AQMD Hearing Board are compensated at a rate of $7,500 per month. However, for each day absent, monthly compensation shall be reduced by $585.07 for non-Medical Members.
Alternate non-Medical Hearing Board Members are compensated at the rate of $585.07 per day.
Medical Member
The Medical Member of the South Coast AQMD Hearing Board is compensated at the rate of $12, 500 per month. However, for each day absent, monthly compensation shall be reduced by $974.97 for Medical Members.
Alternate Medical Hearing Board Member is compensated at the rate of $974.97 per day.
Member-elected Chair of the Board
Member-elected Chair of the Board is compensated at the rate of $9,750 per month for attending and preparing for Hearing Board meetings and participating in conferences on behalf of the Hearing Board,
When presiding for the day over the daily calendar in the absence of the Chair, the Member-elected Vice Chair of the Hearing Board shall be compensated an additional $132 per day and the absent Chair's daily pay shall be reduced by $132.
In addition, each Member or Alternate Member shall receive reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging as prescribed by South Couth AQMD's Administrative Code when performing his/her official functions or attending approved conferences, in an amount not to exceed $8,000 per year. No other compensation or benefits are provided
NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION FOR REGULAR AND ALTERNATE MEMBERS
Newly appointed Regular Members or Alternate Members having no prior experience on South Coast AQMD's Hearing Board are expected to participate in an orientation period not to exceed 15 days or until the Alternate sits in the place of a Regular Member, whichever occurs first, at a compensation of $198 per day for actual days spent for non-Medical Members/Alternates and $330 per day for actual days spent for Medical Members/Alternates. This orientation is to develop familiarity with South Coast AQMD Hearing Board methods and procedures.
Closing Date/Time: 1/10/2025 11:59 PM Pacific - Petitions by companies for variances
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Show moreSouth Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) 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 the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, home to more than 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 "Clean Air Team" of over 750 employees, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.
Mission
To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.
What is the South Coast AQMD?
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.
Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.
What South Coast AQMD Does
South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences. The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.
How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution
South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards. Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products. Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe. South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.
South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue
To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.
Progress So Far
Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.
In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.
The Job Ahead
The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.
State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned. South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard. This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous. Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.
The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago. With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.
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