Regional Liaison, Sustainable Communities Policy and Planning

The Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division (STCD) of CARB is recruiting for an Air Pollution Specialist (APS) to work in its Sustainable Communities Policy and Planning Section.  

The Section is focused on advancing innovative strategies to reducing emissions by increasing opportunities to travel by bike, walking, and transit.

This position will be part of a high-performing team at CARB shaping the next generation of working to advance implementation of land use and transportation system development strategies that reduce emissions and accelerate support the transition to a carbon-free transportation system in California. This role is ideal for a self-starter who is energized by complex policy challenges and motivated to take the lead on one or more high-priority projects that will help shape the future of California's sustainable communities' work.

This position will focus on:

• Leading and contributing to the development of innovative quantitative and qualitative approaches to transportation, land use, and housing policies and practices that accelerate implementation of sustainable communities' strategies. This may include designing and advancing new analytical approaches, preparing comparative studies of project or program impacts on emissions, land use, economic activities, housing, transportation, other environmental factors, and related subjects; and helping shape emerging policy frameworks for CARB and other State agency incentive and regulatory programs;

• Tracking progress and conducting reviews of assigned SB 375 sustainable communities' strategy (SCS) plan updates, through participation in State, regional, and local advisory groups, stakeholder meetings, and other collaborative settings pertaining to SCS plan development.

The APS will lead and contribute to written and oral reports, Board briefings, and strategic policy recommendations on emerging transportation, land use, and local government issues pertaining to implementation of SB 375 and related Board policy work and proceedings, work with external sector experts to evaluate policy proposals, and to connect project assignments to CARB’s broader objectives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and air toxics. In addition, the APS will coordinate with CARB staff in other sections or branches on overlapping issues pertaining to local and regional planning and VMT reduction strategies, including review and comment on pending legislation, grant guidelines, and research proposals as well as outreach strategies.

Public policy background with experience in the field of transportation, land use, housing and / or environmental planning are required.

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.

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.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• 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.