Staff Air Quality Specialist

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff Air Quality Specialist to join our national Air Quality practice. SWCA provides our clients with high-quality air permitting, planning, and modeling services across the country. Qualified candidates will have demonstrated experience in the power generation, oil and gas, and/or industrial sectors.

If you are seeking an opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals, then SWCA will be a great fit for you. Our employees are given excellent project opportunities and direct client contact. As a part of the Air Quality team, you will have the ability to make a significant impact in the growth of our Air Quality practice.

This is regular (with benefits) full-time, hourly/non-exempt position that is hybrid and/or distributed (=remote) eligible based out of any SWCA US office location.

To be considered, please attach a letter of interest/cover letter with your application.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Assists in preparing air permit applications (e.g., NSR, Title V, PBR) for submittal to federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Supports air emissions calculations using established engineering methods, emission factors, and operational data for various source types, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• Assists with regulatory research to identify applicable air quality requirements and supports applicability determinations for diverse projects.
• Assists with drafting air quality, greenhouse gas, and climate change technical sections for CEQA, NEPA, and FERC environmental documents, demonstrating strong technical writing skills.
• Assists development of air dispersion modeling input data and interprets model outputs with guidance from experienced team members, contributing to project analyses. Contributes to health risk assessments and greenhouse gas analyses in support of environmental permitting and impact evaluations.
• Supports preparation of emissions inventories and compliance reports, ensuring accuracy, alignment with regulatory formats, and timely submittal to agencies.
• Tracks project tasks and deadlines, contributes to internal project coordination, and communicates with clients or agency representatives under direction, maintaining professional standards.
• Stays current on relevant air quality regulations and permitting programs, actively applying new knowledge to project work and demonstrating attention to detail, safety, and a proactive approach to problem-solving in a collaborative team environment.
• Participates in agency and client meetings, supporting senior staff in technical discussions and documentation follow-up, and maintaining organized project records.
• Demonstrates a commitment to safety, quality, and professional communication with team members and with clients or regulatory agencies to support SWCA’s environmental consulting projects.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities [Can Add/Edit Section]

• Develop source category-specific emission factors to support air emissions calculations and permitting analyses.
• Prepare state agency registrations and supporting application materials required for environmental regulatory submittals.
• Review air dispersion modeling analyses for consistency with project requirements, regulatory guidance, and quality standards.
• Support client ESG initiatives through development of greenhouse gas monitoring plans and greenhouse gas data management activities.
• Collaborate with air quality practitioners across multiple offices to execute air quality projects and share technical expertise.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the organization's air quality services through participation in technical initiatives and project support activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years of related experience; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (chemical or mechanical preferred). B.S. degree in environmental science with 1-year relative experience may also be considered.
• Two (2) years of consulting experience in one or more of the following air quality areas required: air quality permitting, dispersion modeling, emission inventories, air quality construction and operating permits; and/or compliance reporting.
• Working knowledge with the appropriate regulatory authorities and regulations such as Green House Gas (GHG), Title V, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), New Source Review (NSR), Best Available Control Technology (BACT), Lowest Achievable Emissions Rate (LAER), New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in project management, client management and proposal writing or the ability to rapidly evolve into these areas.
• Noise monitoring experience.
• NEPA air quality resource writing.

Other Job Conditions

When drug testing is required

Applicants must be willing to participate in drug and alcohol screening as part of the pre-employment process, when required by project or client requirements.

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

When traveling is required

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment. 

Safety Expectations

Staff level: Adheres to the safety program and looks out for the safety of others, promptly communicating and mitigating safety hazards. 

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this US-based position is $30.98 per hour to $40.43 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact HRConfidential@swca.com.

If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.