Automotive Vehicle Emission Specialist - EPS II

The Work Unit:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently re-classified the Denver Metro/North Front Range ozone nonattainment area (“DM/NFR”) from a “Serious” nonattainment area to a “Severe” nonattainment area. EPA’s redesignation of the DM/NFR area is based on the area’s continuing nonattainment of the 2015 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (“NAAQS”). As a Severe nonattainment area, additional measures to improve air quality are necessary. This work unit exists to provide regulatory compliance of mobile source (gasoline powered, diesel powered, and alternatively powered vehicles) air pollutants with Air Quality Control Regulations promulgated by the Air Quality Control Commission. Emissions Technical Centers (ETCs) are multifunction facilities that conduct a variety of customer service and field activities to help vehicle owners and the repair industry meet emission requirements. The unit also designs, develops and conducts research to develop and confirm existing and future identification (testing) methods are valid “Best Practices” in regulatory compliance with federal and state requirements. Legislation passed in 2022, vehicle tampering is now investigated by Mobile Sources ETC staff.  The ETC technicians are experts in identifying emissions-related and vehicle tampering problems/solutions, and primarily serve motorists, independent and franchised auto dealers, automotive repair technicians, diesel fleet owners and operators, petroleum marketers, alternative-fuel vehicle conversion and consumers, and the Colorado Department of Revenue. Emissions Technical Centers also provide training and certification for automotive repair technicians and emissions inspectors, and actively support the Diesel Opacity Inspection Program (DOIP)within the current Program areas.  The work unit exists to provide regulatory compliance oversight and assistance to licensed technicians, inspectors, and consumers throughout the metropolitan Denver area concerning the requirements of the Diesel Fleet Self-Certification and Diesel Opacity Inspection Programs (AQCC Regulation No. 12), and gasoline Automobile Inspection and Repair Program (AQCC Regulation No. 11 & 20).

What you will be doing

This position exists to assist with compliance of Regulations #11, #12, and #20 by operating and maintaining  CDPHE/APCD Emissions Technical Centers (ETCs) evaluation and test equipment. This includes; Training customer's, technicians, and affected businesses in regulatory and statutory requirements. Provide direct technical assistance and vehicle evaluations to the customer and/or service technician for proper vehicle repair and evaluations, to meet Regulation(s) #11, #12, and #20 requirements. Assist in the investigation of vehicle tampering and to carry out provisions set forth in SB22-179 and C.R.S §25-7-144. This position will source case leads from the Emissions Technical Centers, and consumer complaints. Case development will include research, investigations, and evidence gathering processes which may lead to appropriate enforcement actions, including Notices of Violation (NOV) and referring individual cases to the appropriate enforcement authorities as needed. . It also exists to provide repair support and other assistance for laboratory study projects.

Job Duties:

Provide Information About Vehicle Emissions Issues 
Determine compliance of AQCC Regulations: #11, #12, and #20, by inspecting/evaluating vehicles for customers, repair technicians and the Department of Revenue. Apply set policies, guidelines and industry standards and tailor/adapt them to each unique set of circumstances. Provide training and support to automotive/diesel repair Industry technicians and educate customers in proper vehicle emissions testing and repair requirements and solutions.

Motor Vehicle Tampering Complaints & Reporting 
Utilize tools for collecting, organizing, protecting, and storing data so it can be analyzed for the creation and publishing any/all reports required by statutory and regulatory reference regarding motor vehicle emissions systems tampering.

Outreach and Training 
Assist in the planning, development and presentation of training seminars, including ""Tech Nights."" Present new repair concepts/theories that will help test diagnose and bring into regulatory compliance, complex emissions failures. Provide training and outreach activities for the public on vehicle inspection, diagnosis and repair procedures. Contribute to Mobile Sources brochures, newsletters and bulletins. This position will distribute and possibly deliver vehicle tampering outreach and/or training materials to automobile dealerships, repair shops and stakeholders throughout the Emissions Programs areas and outlying Colorado cities.

Tampering Methodology Exploration 
Conduct exploration and documentation of potential software programming/tamper methodologies and commercially available tamper products and/or devices to augment identification and evaluation processes.

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. 

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.
• Answered supplemental questions.
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. (if either are unavailable please email the department contact for this posting, listed above)
• If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. 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.