Air Quality Scientist - EPS II

The 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 state’s 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 Colorado. 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 Colorado’s 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 Colorado’s 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 General’s 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 Division’s 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.

Residency 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. 

A 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 colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs 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 cdphe_benefits@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.