This is the fully qualified independent specialist level for Air Pollution Specialist program and policy development work. Under direction of the Policy Unit Manager, the Staff Air Pollution Specialist (Planning Team Lead) serves as the senior staff member of the Planning Team and guides the work product of up to 4 professional policy staff. The incumbent leads the development and update of the General Plan Guidelines, Climate Action Plan Technical Advisory, and other complex technical advisories that support local governments in implementing state directives on land use, climate, equity, and resilience. The Planning Team Lead conducts advanced research, and data analysis; evaluates policy and scientific information; and provides expert recommendations on planning and climate issues statewide.
This position involves extensive collaboration with state agencies, academic partners, local governments, Tribes, and community stakeholders on topics including land use, housing, climate mitigation and regeneration, adaptation and resilience, environmental justice, conservation, open space planning, and transportation. The role requires applying scientific principles, air quality expertise, and advanced analytical skills to guide the development of planning policies and tools that support climate goals and air quality objectives in California. The position requires both planning and policy skills and the ability to work well with technical staff in evaluating land use, housing, transportation, and emissions data.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without a reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. This position may be eligible to participate in LCI's hybrid telework schedule. Participation in Telework is subject to LCI's guidelines. Occasional/overnight travel up to 20% may be required
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-528921
Position #(s):
368-505-3875-001
Working Title:
Planning Team Lead
Classification:
STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST $10,521.00 - $13,173.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Telework
This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of LCI under California Government Code Section 14200. The incumbent is required to report in-person and site-based four days per week. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with LCI policies.
CA residency
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
Personal Leave Program Reduction
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees' monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction. For more details, please click her e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.
Department Website: https://www.lci.ca.gov
Special Requirements
Demonstrated ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/24/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
Attn: HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
HR YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job: - Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- School Transcripts
- Supplemental Application -
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. The statement of qualifications is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications and demonstrate the candidate's ability to perform the job duties listed in this bulletin. The supplemental questionnaire serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Résumés in lieu of the SOQ will not be considered.
Refer to the SOQ Requirement Section of this job posting for the SOQ questions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: - Demonstrated expertise in state, regional, and local government policies and programs related to land use planning, sustainability, air quality, climate mitigation and adaptation, and environmental justice.
- Experience integrating equity and inclusion into planning, climate, or environmental policy work, including meaningful engagement with disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities.
- Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including designing studies, conducting interviews, synthesizing findings, developing data collection tools, and preparing comprehensive reports.
- Experience conducting or analyzing geospatial data and applying GIS tools to planning, air quality, or climate-related studies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into accessible language for diverse audiences.
- Experience leading or facilitating collaborative, deadline-driven projects with multiple partners, including interagency working groups, local governments, Tribes, and academic institutions.
- Strong collaboration and consensus - building skills, including the ability to navigate complex policy issues and facilitate constructive discussions among diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
- High attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
- Strong judgment and reasoning skills, with the ability to evaluate complex situations, consider cultural and contextual factors, and assess risks and tradeoffs.
- Demonstrated commitment to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time to participate in public workshops, field visits, and stakeholder meetings, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and one of California's most frequently spoken languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean).
Benefits
There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as: - Pension through CALPERS
- Medical Benefits, including health , dental , and vision insurance
- Medical benefits into retirement
- Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
- Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
- School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://www.lci.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Yucary Padilla
(916) 758-0579
[email protected]
Hiring Unit Contact:
Patricia Kennedy
(000) -
[email protected]
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(000) -
[email protected]
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Statement of Qualifications
When completing the SOQ, you must title the page "Statement of Qualifications" and include your name and the Job Control number at the top of each page. You must list each question and provide your answer below each question. When completing the SOQ please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Responses should be not be longer than two pages in total length, single-spaced, and 12-point Arial font. Your SOQ must address the following:
It's 2050 and California has achieved its social and environmental goals, what does it look like and how did we get there?
Additional Application Instructions
Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, 
