Sustainable, Equitable Communities & Housing Expert

Are you a collaborative leader looking for an opportunity to advance housing, transportation, and land use strategies to promote sustainable, equitable communities? Do you want to find a dynamic position where you can use your leadership skills and your expertise in housing and air quality / climate policy and research to help achieve the State’s climate, air quality, and equity goals?

CARB’s research has found that the state will not meet its climate goals if California’s housing crisis continues to increase Californians’ need to drive. The Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division is looking for a strategic, analytical, and diplomatic Staff Air Pollution Specialist (SAPS) to help California tackle the interconnected issues around affordable housing shortages, transportation needs, air pollution, and climate change.

The position will require a significant amount of initiative, knowledge, and leadership ability. You will be responsible for providing the Division with in-depth expertise on strategies to reduce climate and air pollution through the promotion of infill housing, transit-oriented or transit-ready development, land-use, affordable housing, equitable growth; affirmatively furthering fair housing; related State, Federal, and regional/local policies, research, plans, and programs; and the benefits that these efforts can have for the climate, public health, equity, conservation, economic opportunity, and more.

You will lead the Division's housing- and land-use-related work targeted at reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution through policies and programs that connect housing, transportation, and land use. Using your expertise and seasoned judgment, you will develop constructive relationships with program managers and staff within CARB and at other State agencies and then work independently and alongside them to provide technical and policy support to CARB and other State agencies. You will oversee or support cross-division teams to identify and carry out strategic priorities and to enhance work in this topic area. You will also help lead and support other agencies and cross-agency efforts. As a SAPS, you will also lead, review, and help weave together the work of other staff as they engage with State, regional, and local agencies on housing, infrastructure, and land use matters and carry out related technical tasks. You will use your technical expertise to assess research needs, supervise research contracts, and integrate these findings into policy and guidance documents developed by other staff in the Division.

The position may also involve leading or advising efforts related to public outreach and external communications; preparing and presenting comprehensive reports; serving as a resource and critical point of contact to the Division and across CARB on these matters; preparing and presenting program issues and policies to CARB management and stakeholders; considering and resolving differences in input from affected governments, the private sector, and non-governmental advocates as well as academics; and representing CARB in public forums. You will be required to work closely with other Staff APSs in the Division as well as the Branch Chief and multiple staff in the Transportation and Land Use Planning Branch to identify projects, develop strategies, review deliverables for policy and scientific accuracy, resolve sensitive program issues with tact and diplomacy, and represent the program in meetings with other Divisions, the Executive Office, the Chair’s Office, the Board, CalEPA, other State agencies, the Administration, the Legislature, local governments, businesses, communities, and advocacy groups. Travel within California will be 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 Resource 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.

• 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.