Environmental Planner I/II

Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate!
The Air District is conducting an open recruitment for the position of Environmental Planner I/II in the Planning and Climate Protection Division. This is a full-time, represented position for one (1) vacancy.
About the Position

The Environmental Planner I/II will join a high performing and motivated team of professional planners, engineers, technical, and legal experts working on preparing and implementing plans, policies and programs to address regional air quality challenges while also bringing a specific focus to reducing longstanding air pollution and health disparities in the most overburdened communities in the Bay Area.

In this role, under direction, you will:

* Be a thought leader using innovation and creativity to integrate air quality, health, equity, and environmental justice.

* Develop and implement regional and community-based plans to accelerate air pollution and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

* Support local governments to advance health protective and equitable air quality and climate plans and policy.

* Cultivate strong working relationships and collaborations with community-based organizations, community members, local governments, regional, state and federal agency partners.

To be successful you will need strong project management, organizational and communication skills; be able to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities; and be willing to work with people of varied backgrounds and perspectives, including low-income communities of color and communities overburdened by air pollution. experience with organizing and facilitating stakeholder meetings and interpreting, analyzing and visualizing geospatial environmental, health and socio-economic data to support plan and policy development is a plus.

Definition
Under general supervision, performs professional work in environmental, air quality, and climate planning and programs.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Environmental Planner I is the entry level class in this environmental planning
Planning and Climate Protection Division

The Planning and Climate Protection Division (Division) is responsible for preparing plans to meet state and federal air quality standards and assisting local communities, cities, counties, and regional agencies improve air quality and advance climate protection efforts. Division staff work on the Air District’s Community Health Protection Program implementing Assembly Bill 617; partner with impacted and overburdened communities and their local governments to reduce local air pollution, climate impacts and improve health outcomes; and work collaboratively to integrate air quality, health and climate protection into local and regional air quality plans, projects, and programs. The Division is responsible for developing the Air District’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) air quality and climate impact thresholds of significance and for developing and keeping current data, tools and guidelines to assist lead agencies complete air quality and climate impact analyses.

About the Air District

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is a regional government agency committed to achieving clean air to protect the public’s health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District’s jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties – Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others – southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees’ well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated and your growth is nurtured.

The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.
Assists in developing and implementing a variety of plans to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emission.
Conducts research studies, prepares reports, and develops recommendations on land use project impacts, local and regional plans, transportation, and related infrastructure projects, and stationary and mobile sources of pollution.
Participates in tracking and reporting progress on Air District plans, policies and projects addressing air quality and climate impacts in consultation with Air District staff, external partners, community organizations and other stakeholders.
Assists with tracking, reviewing, commenting and the preparation of environmental studies and reports pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Participates in updating the Air District’s CEQA documents, supporting tools and technical guidance.
Provides technical assistance to local governments on health protective and equitable air quality and climate planning, land use policy, and CEQA. Participates in the development and delivery of resources such as model ordinances, best practices, and guidelines for local climate action and land use plans and policies.
Develops and maintains strong working relationships with community-based organizations, community members, local governments, regional, state and federal agencies.
Prepares a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, emails, briefs, presentations, comment letters on projects, plans or policies.
Collects, creates, and visualizes geospatial data; creates interactive online maps, and performs statistical and geospatial analysis to support Air District programs, community-based planning, and local and regional policy.
Assists with various grant programs, including the procurement, administration, tracking and reporting of grants and contracts.
Represents the Air District as a subject matter expert at meetings, conferences and working groups.
Responds to public records requests and other inquiries from governmental officials, consultants and the public.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for this classification.

Environmental Planner I: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in regional, urban or environmental planning or a closely related field.
Environmental Planner II: In addition to the above, two years of professional environmental planning, policy or program experience.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Other Requirements:
fluency in a language commonly spoken in the Bay Area is desirable
Physical demands:

• Sitting for long periods of time and walking and/or standing is only required occasionally.
• View computer screens and type for prolonged periods of time.

Working conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a typical office environment.
• May be required to attend public and other meetings after standard working hours.

Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2026. Resumes are required and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Application must be submitted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply. Postmarked, faxed, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.
Supplemental Questions Instructions
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Division no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section.
Please limit your responses to 500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.
Selection Criteria
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants.
The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Division at (415) 749-4980.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Air District does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, genetic information, medical condition, or mental or physical disability, or any other attribute or belief protected by law. It is the Air District’s policy to provide fair and equal access to the benefits of the programs or activities it administers.