Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Research Division of the California Air Resources Board is looking for an enthusiastic, personable, and technically inclined Research Scientist to lead comprehensive research projects that update our understanding of the direct and indirect interactions between air quality, climate, and Natural and Working Lands (NWL) at the state, national, and international levels. The candidate will focus on advancing the methodologies for tracking GHG emissions and reductions, carbon sequestration, and other benefits from NWL, all of which are essential for demonstrating progress toward the 2045 carbon neutrality goal. Duties include data analysis, research planning, contract management, stakeholder engagement and outreach, report writing, and presenting to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Under supervision of an Air Resources Supervisor I, the successful candidate will work closely with a team of experts with breadths of experiences not limited to data analytics, contract management, ambient air monitoring, computer programming, air quality and emissions modeling, and communication. The section collectively evaluates the direct and indirect interactions between air quality, climate, and NWL in alignment with AB 1757, AB 617, the Scoping Plan, and the State Implementation Plan (SIP) objectives; supports the policy decisions related to Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) mitigation strategies; informs emission inventories, natural carbon sequestration efforts, and nature-based climate solutions programs; and conducts research to advance the methodologies for tracking GHG emissions and reductions, carbon sequestration, and other benefits from NWL.

This position is for you if you want to use your scientific knowledge and creative research to address complex climate change mitigation challenges for our future generations!

The most competitive candidate will have fluency in AB 1757, AB 617, Scoping Plan, SIP, ecological principles, carbon stock, wildfires, forest ecosystems, agricultural burning, prescribed burning, climate change, greenhouse gases, satellite remote sensing, air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, cropland agriculture, wetlands, dairy and livestock operations, environmental science, Eddy-Covariance flux emission estimation methods, vegetation fuel types, and ambient air monitoring; knowledge of the interactions between air quality, climate, and NWL; various sources that emit volatile organic compounds and air toxics; experiences in database development; demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills; intuitive understanding of quality assessment and quality control techniques; data processing using computer programming languages (e.g., Python); application development (e.g., Power App); expertise in GIS and source apportionment (e.g., Positive Matrix Factorization [PMF] models); expertise in DNDC, DAYCENT, MEGAN, and BDSNP; knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations related to air quality; ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both verbal and written forms; strong visual communication skills; experiences in writing technical and non-technical documents; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to independently complete tasks; works well in teams; excellent attention to details; supervision and mentoring experiences; conflict resolution training; team building; ability to travel.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

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.

Special Requirements

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience qualify them for the position. The SOQ documents each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Candidates whose applications do not include the required SOQ will not be considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

Require Name on SOQ
Maximum number of pages: 2 (Arial font, 12 point, single spaced, 1-inch margins)

Describe your education, training, experience, and skills that enable you to perform the duties listed in the Duty Statement.

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:

The most competitive candidate will have fluency in AB 1757, AB 617, Scoping Plan, SIP, ecological principles, carbon stock, wildfires, forest ecosystems, agricultural burning, prescribed burning, climate change, greenhouse gases, satellite remote sensing, air pollution, atmospheric chemistry, cropland agriculture, wetlands, dairy and livestock operations, environmental science, Eddy-Covariance flux emission estimation methods, vegetation fuel types, and ambient air monitoring; knowledge of the interactions between air quality, climate, and NWL; various sources that emit volatile organic compounds and air toxics; experiences in database development; demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills; intuitive understanding of quality assessment and quality control techniques; data processing using computer programming languages (e.g., Python); application development (e.g., Power App); expertise in GIS and source apportionment (e.g., Positive Matrix Factorization [PMF] models); expertise in DNDC, DAYCENT, MEGAN, and BDSNP; knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations related to air quality; ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both verbal and written forms; strong visual communication skills; experiences in writing technical and non-technical documents; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to independently complete tasks; works well in teams; excellent attention to details; supervision and mentoring experiences; conflict resolution training; team building; ability to travel.

The most competitive candidate will also possess technical skills in MS Office Word and PowerPoint; data processing using computer programming languages (e.g., Python, Visual Basic, Matlab, R); data management software such as MS Access and Excel; visualization tools such as Tableau and GIS; application development platforms like MS Power App; data analysis tools like Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model for source apportionment; biogeochemical modeling; statistics; emission quantification methodologies; atmospheric chemistry; knowledge of air monitoring equipment.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Nearby (third-party) Parking
• Convenient to public transportation

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

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 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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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