Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 50515738	Description Activated On: 10/2/2025 4:07:17 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

The Air Quality Program Specialist (AQPS) develops regulations and state implementation plan (SIP) revisions relating to stationary and area air contamination sources for national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) criteria pollutants, and to comply with all Clean Air Act (CAA) provisions. The work involves making recommendations to management based upon interpreting and carrying out appropriate program activities in response to Federal and State laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and court decisions related to the CAA and requirements under the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act. In addition to SIP and Regulation development the Air Quality Program Specialist represents Pennsylvania on state and federal committees, workgroups and participates in Advisory Committees. The AQPS also coordinates and administers Pennsylvania’s emissions trading programs when needed.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

All duties and responsibilities are assigned for the purpose of making recommendations and providing technical information to the appropriate levels of management.

1. Develops proposed revisions to the State Implementation Plan, as needed or directed by management. The AQPS develops and processes new and revised regulations. The employee conducts research to determine the technical and economic feasibility of regulatory or other strategies necessary to implement requirements of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and PA Air Pollution Control Act and regulations adopted under the acts.

2. Develops and evaluates potential control strategies for attainment and maintenance of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the CAA. These tasks include but are not limited to:

(a) Evaluation of technical feasibility, economic impact and emission reduction potential;

(b) Assessment of administrative and enforcement efficiency;

(c) Assessment of effectiveness in meeting program goals and objectives.

3. Coordinates work with other program staff, local planning agencies, other Commonwealth agencies and EPA in development implementation and refinement of the SIP. Coordinates work with approved local air pollution control programs, other states’ air pollution control programs, regional air pollution control organizations and EPA, as necessary. Consults with representatives of industry, academia, and private citizens, as needed. Also, serves as an Air Quality liaison in dealings with other Commonwealth agencies as assigned.

4. Prepares letters, memoranda, reports, guidance, briefing materials, and correspondence for consideration by management.

5. Makes oral presentations to exchange information with technical and regional staff, industry, governmental officials and the general public.

6. Conducts research and develops proposed policy and guidance related to implementation of regulatory requirements in accordance with applicable federal and state law and Commonwealth policies and procedures.

7. Participates in and attends training programs and meetings, occasionally traveling as required to maintain the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform assigned duties.

8. Provides support for and assists in administering the Department’s emission trading programs.

9. Other general duties and responsibilities include the following:

(a) Monitors, interprets and applies technical criteria and guidelines issued by EPA and makes technical recommendations where applicable.

(b) Prepares and delivers formal presentations to the Department’s Air Quality Technical Advisory Committee (AQTAC) other advisory committees and participates at public meetings and hearings on proposed regulations.

(c) Provides technical assistance to the Department’s legal staff in preparation of legal action.

(d) Reviews legal documents and Court decisions to determine program impacts.

(e) Processes SIP revisions for submittal to EPA: prepares for and holds public hearings; prepares, processes, and submits correspondence and SIP packages to EPA. Serves as the liaison between EPA regional office staff and DEP to ensure State Implementation plans gain approval.

(f) Maintains a working professional knowledge base of all relevant air quality topics. Conducts research, prepares briefing material, and makes recommendations regarding these topics.

(g) Participates in or as a member of various interstate SIP or regulatory strategy development committees, including but not limited to the Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), Mid-Atlantic Regional Air Management Association (MARAMA), and National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA).

(h) Provides administrative support for AQTAC activities and maintains the minutes for AQTAC meetings.

10. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. The employee will be required to follow any job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties as assigned.

11. Promotes the Department's Mission.

12. Input appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Projects are discussed conceptually before significant effort is expended and managed with minimal supervision. Project related questions, problems, and issues are identified, researched, and addressed at the Air Quality Program Specialist's own initiative. The Environmental Group Manager and other Bureau or Department personnel are consulted when necessary for guidance on complex issues and matters of policy. Projects of long duration are reviewed periodically by the Environmental Group Manager during the course of the project. Project-related status reports are made to the Environmental Group Manager or other staff upon request or as necessary.

Policy recommendations made by the technical staff are discussed with the Environmental Group Manager and Environmental Program Manager prior to seeking the Bureau Director’s concurrence. Other assignments are given by the Environmental Group Manager with general instructions and are reviewed for compliance with Department policy, program effectiveness and adequacy of results.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.   N/A

5.   N/A

6.   N/A

Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Understand and apply computer operating principles.
2.	Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
3.	Prepare reports, charts, tables, summaries, briefings, etc, as needed.
4.	Organize, plan, analyze and prioritize work travel, as needed.
5.	Apply and use statistics and math.
6.	Interpret and analyze legal and technical documents.
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