Air Quality Scientist EPS II
Job Location:
Denver, CO - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- Department Information
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado ABOUT US: At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender race ethnicity religion national origin age sexual orientation gender identity citizenship status education level disability socio-economic status or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- This position will have hybrid workplace options available at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs. The employee will still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement.
Be a REAL difference . . .join us in serving our communities advancing Colorados health and protecting the places we live work learn and play to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
CDPHE offers:
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Flexible working arrangements
Retirement ( PERA options)Medical and dental health plans
Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401K and 457 plans
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
Tuition assistance
Wellness programs
Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information go to:
of JobThe Work Unit:
The Air Toxics Regulatory and Program Development Unit within the Planning and Policy Program develops and aids in the implementation of regulations and other program elements related to the legislative directives set forth in House Bill 22-1244 (Public Protections from Toxic Air Contaminants) (HB 22-1244). While the initial set of regulations directed under this law were adopted by the Air Quality Control Commission in 2025 and 2026 under Regulations 3 7 24 and 30 the law established iterative review cycle of several components for this state air toxics program including: review of the states list of reportable toxic air contaminants identifying priority toxic air contaminants; updating chronic and acute (shorter-term) health-based standards for priority air toxics; and developing emission control regulations for priority toxic air contaminants.
The work unit also coordinates with other programs within the division as well as with other work units within the department who support toxicology and risk assessment and the implementation of an evolving and robust air quality program aimed at reducing the health impacts of toxic air contaminants in addition to developing regulations and other program elements related to air toxic contaminants the work unit coordinates and works with other units within the Planning and Policy program in developing regulations plans and other program elements related to multi-pollutant emission reduction strategies more broadly. All of these activities include working closely with external stakeholders such as the general public disproportionately impacted communities local public health departments non-governmental organizations the regulated community the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Air Quality Control Commission; and develops partnerships with other agencies and the regulated community to advance environmental and public health goals through the development of innovative policies programs and environmental projects.What You Will Do:
The purpose of this position is to assist with the preparation of emission control strategies to reduce air toxic exposures in Colorado. Identifying additional priority toxic air contaminants and developing emission control strategies to reduce emissions of those priority pollutants requires an extensive technical knowledge of emission sources emission inventories emission controls an understanding of modeling and monitoring data used to estimate ambient air concentrations of pollution an understanding of air quality policy and regulatory processes and excellent written and spoken communication skills along with dedication to collaborate among a wide variety of staff stakeholders and decision makers. Accordingly this position develops and utilizes the necessary technical skills analytical procedure and knowledge of regulations and policies through participating in emission control strategy development under the direction of the supervisor and Division management. This position assists with the compilation review and analysis of technical data related to reported emissions monitoring and modeling outputs evaluating technically feasible control strategies and estimated costs and preparing the policy recommendations that will be included in required periodic reviews that will be presented to Division management and the AQCC to meet statutory obligations. This position provides information necessary for the supervisor to advocate for the emission control strategies with interested stakeholders and before the AQCC. The position coordinates with other programs within the division units within the department and external stakeholders in continuously improving the various elements of Colorados air toxics program.Key Responsibilities:
Regulatory Development Activities related to HB 22-1244 including listing of new toxic air contaminants identifying priority air toxics reviewing health-based standards and developing emission control regulations
Under limited supervision this position develops proposed regulatory requirements or briefings related to air toxics that will be presented to the AQCC. The documentation for each regulatory action shall meet the requirements of the AQCC. These regulatory requirements will address multiple rulemaking components under HB 22-1244 including listing of additional priority air toxics and associated revisions to health based standards and developing additional or periodically revising emission control regulations for each priority air toxic. HB 22-1244 sets forth the following schedule for these activities:
By September 30 2029 determine whether to identify any additional PTAC.
By September 30 2029 review the chronic health-based standards for the initial 5 PTAC and determine whether to add any acute health-based standards for any of the PTAC.
By September 30 2030 review the list of toxic air contaminants and determine whether to identify any additional air pollutants Colorados list of toxic
air contaminants to address emerging contaminants.
By September 30 2030 propose health-based standards for any new PTAC.
By September 30 2030 adopt emission control regulations for any new PTAC and review the initial set of PTAC regulations.
And subsequently review these requirements every five years thereafter.
Each proposed regulatory action involves many stakeholders. Under limited supervision this position identifies and implements stakeholder engagement and outreach activities for each rulemaking; communicates effectively with stakeholders to facilitate meetings promote collaboration and seek input on rule proposals; and attends relevant meetings to confer with EPA Attorney Generals Office industry non-governmental organizations local governments the public Division staff other state agencies and the AQCC to ensure the program meets state and federal needs to educate meeting participants and to enlist support and help in furthering the Divisions efforts.
Air Toxic program implementation related to HB 22-1244 including listing of new toxic air contaminants identifying priority air toxics reviewing health-based standards and developing emission control regulations
Under limited supervision this position designs and prepares materials to support effective implementation of adopted air toxic regulations. This may involve coordination with compliance enforcement and permitting teams. This position may also compile and analyze data to evaluate effectiveness of the policies and regulations already in place to reduce exposures to air toxic pollution.
Other Duties as Assigned
Attends meetings serves on task forces or teams completes projects and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.Minimum Qualifications Substitutions Conditions of Employment & Appeal RightsResidency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
I3A3** Environmental Protection Specialist II
Minimum Qualifications:
An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.Experience Only:Six (6) years of experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position (e.g. developing enforcing or complying with air emission control requirements; engineering control cost analysis principals; or researching emission control strategies).
Or
Education and Experience:A combination of related education (B.S. or M.S. from an accredited institution in science engineering or economics or a closely related field of study and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned ((e.g. developing enforcing or complying with air emission control requirements; engineering control cost analysis principals; or researching emission control strategies) equal to six (6) years.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the minimum requirements the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:
Relevant experience with the State of Colorado
A strong background in federal Clean Air Act laws and regulations as they pertain to hazardous air pollutants.
Experience with evaluating state or local air toxic reduction strategies that may complement the federal framework.
The ability to work well in multidisciplinary teams to meet deadlines established by Colorado statute or by supervisor.
Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
Experience with evaluating the economic and technical feasibility of strategies to reduce air pollution including experience with calculating capital and ongoing O&M costs and associated emissions and potential emission reductions for different process types.
The ability to effectively communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders both orally and in writing.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
TRAVEL: Variable 10% or less of time is spent traveling to attend meetings conferences trainings or occasional site visits to potentially impacted facilities who are or may become subject to air toxic regulations.
Appeal Rights:
An applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website atCO State Personnel Board Forms and Filing.
Review of the completed signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at or by fax at within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Departments action.
The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures 4 CCR 801 for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures are available at .
Supplemental InformationA complete application packet must include:
Completed State of Colorado application.
COVER LETTER
If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your application.
If you are a veteran a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your application.
The Selection Process:
All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
Part of or all of the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
A top group up to six candidates will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.
E-Verify:
CDPHE uses e-Verify an Internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
ADAAA Accommodations:The State of Colorado believes that equity diversity and inclusion drive our success and we encourage candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment including completing the application process interviewing completing any pre-employment testing participating in the employee selection process and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at or call option 5.
Required Experience:
IC
