Senior Air Quality Analyst

Job Overview

Acorn Environmental (Acorn) is seeking an experienced air quality and air permitting professional with strong analytical and writing skills to support air permitting, dispersion modeling, air quality impact analyses, and health risk assessments. This position offers the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, with a particular focus on assisting Native American Tribes with environmental compliance for energy, infrastructure, and economic development projects. Position title and responsibilities will be tailored to the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

About Us

Acorn is a dynamic women-owned environmental planning and analysis firm specializing in services for tribal governments, public agencies, and private sector clients. We are experts in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), tribal environmental policies and ordinances, natural resources, and related environmental laws and regulations. We have a reputation for delivering high quality environmental services and endeavor to grow our team of experienced professionals by investing in the development of our people. As a small business, our associates benefit from regular interaction and one-on-one guidance from highly experienced and successful environmental compliance experts. Our offices are located in El Dorado Hills and Carlsbad, California, but the majority of our staff enjoy working remotely. For additional information, please visit our website at: https://www.acorn-env.com/

A Day in the Life

As a small business, our staff are constantly collaborating in real-time to meet project deadlines as a team. This is a remote position; however, occasional travel for meetings, project coordination, or site visits is required. Typical tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Working closely with Acorn’s senior air quality technical director, as well as technical specialists, clients, and regulatory agencies to evaluate air quality impacts and support permitting and compliance.
• Preparing air permit applications and supporting analyses under EPA’s New Source Review (NSR) and Title V operating permit programs, including projects in Indian country.
• Developing emission inventories and potential-to-emit calculations for stationary sources and construction and operational activities.
• Evaluating permit applicability, emission limits, control technologies, and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements.
• Conducting air dispersion modeling using AERMOD and associated preprocessing tools.
• Preparing air quality impact analyses and health risk assessments, including evaluating exposure to toxic air contaminants.
• Preparing technical reports and air quality and greenhouse gas sections of NEPA and CEQA documents.
• Reviewing equipment specifications, emissions data, modeling inputs, and results for accuracy and consistency.
• Coordinating with clients, engineers, equipment vendors, EPA, and state and local air agencies.
• Managing technical assignments within project schedules and budgets.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, atmospheric science, environmental or chemical engineering, or a related field.
• At least three years of relevant experience in air quality analysis, air permitting, or environmental consulting.
• Experience preparing or supporting stationary source permit applications.
• Experience conducting air dispersion modeling, air quality impact analyses, and/or health risk assessments.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including the ability to develop emissions calculations, evaluate complex datasets, and interpret modeling results.
• Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to explain technical findings clearly and accurately. A writing sample will be requested.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and work effectively with a remote team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with federal air permitting in Indian country.
• Proficiency with AERMOD and California’s HARP 2 software.
• Experience with California air district requirements and OEHHA health risk assessment guidance.
• Experience preparing air quality and greenhouse gas analyses under NEPA and CEQA.
• Experience evaluating emissions from combustion turbines, engines, boilers, or other stationary sources.
• Familiarity with Best Available Control Technology (BACT) analyses and federal stationary-source emission standards.

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a full suite of benefits including 401k retirement plan and medical, dental, and vision insurance for our staff. We offer flexible hours to accommodate work/life balance, or for staff working in various time zones or who just enjoy traveling. Other benefits include paid vacation/sick time and paid holidays.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $90,000–$120,000, depending on position level, experience, and qualifications, including demonstrated proficiency in air permitting, dispersion modeling, health risk assessment, and technical writing.

To Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. In your cover letter, briefly describe your experience with air permitting, dispersion modeling, and health risk assessments.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Remote