Health Officer

Description

Join an agency committed to creating a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident while protecting and improving public health, air quality, and the global climate!

About the Air District
The Bay Area Air District (Air District) is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated, and your growth is nurtured. The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

The Air District is currently accepting applications for the position of Health Officer in the Public Health Office. This position reports to the Deputy Executive Officer of Science. This is an open recruitment for one (1) full time, exempt, management position.

About the Position
The Health Officer serves as the Air District's chief subject expert related to public and environmental health. The Health Officer is responsible for helping the public and particularly impacted communities to understand the relationship between air pollution exposure and health. The Health Officer works closely with residents in impacted communities to help them design local air quality plans to improve public health. The Health Officer also helps the Air District respond publicly and through the media to wildfires and other air pollution incidents with timely, clear, and scientifically supported information. The Health Officer will lead the implementation of key parts of the Air District’s strategic plan related to incorporation of health data into our planning, rule development, and permitting efforts. The Health Officer will also take a leading role in coordinating the Air District’s Advisory Council.

Definition
Under executive direction plans, organizes, coordinates, directs the activities in an assigned area(s); provides leadership and advice on health and environmental health science related policy matters and strategies, including conducting or coordinating complex health related projects and studies; interfaces with all managerial levels within the agency and serves as the Air District’s liaison with other agencies; performs related duties as required.

View the full classification specification here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/baaqmd.

Examples of Duties for this Position

The following duties are typical for jobs in the class. They are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the full scope of job duties.

• Directs, plans, monitors, and evaluates the goals, operations, policies, procedures and work standards of assigned area.
• Plans, organizes, reviews and evaluates the activities of assigned staff. Selects personnel and provides for their training and professional development.
• Provides technical and managerial direction to Air District staff and others.
• Reviews health policy issues related to air quality; develops and presents recommendations to the Air District’s Board, Committee, and executive management.
• Devises substantive health related policy and strategy for the Air District.
• Provides leadership and coordinates staff in conducting analyses of health-related issues; summarizes, prepares and presents reports of findings; coordinates with divisions to develop related policies and recommendations for actions to mitigate effects or address the issues.
• Conducts or coordinates complex and specialized health issue related studies involving technical, administrative and policy matters, often of a confidential nature.
• Serves as the Air District’s liaison with other agencies, including county health departments and state health agencies. Provides knowledge and guidance to support incident event notification.
• Coordinates with the Communications Office on health messaging.
• Tracks, reviews and analyzes current and proposed health related policies, regulations and legislation on the state, national and global level; notifies the Air District of significant activities and implications.
• Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards.
• Researches national, state and local policy designed to address environmental health impacts; prepares opinions and recommendations on health related issues which impact the Air District’s programs and initiatives.
• Represents the Air District with industry, the public, special interest groups and other agencies on air quality and health and related matters. Represents the Air District to external stakeholders; may lead outreach efforts to the media and community groups when assigned.
• Assists with development and implementation of Community Emission Reduction Plans.
• Assists with the development of the Air District’s strategic plan and managing its implementation.
• Takes a leading role in convening, coordinating and administering the Air District’s Advisory Council.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in job-related field and six years of professional level work experience, including three years of program management experience, preferably in a public agency.

Some positions may require specialized training, education and experience.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position will be considered.

Education and experience in the following is preferred:

• Doctorate level with major coursework in public health, epidemiology, toxicology or medicine and one year of experience relative to the health effects of air pollution OR
• Master’s level in public health, epidemiology, or toxicology and three years of experience relative to the health effects of air pollution

Other Requirements:

• May require possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Work may require periodic off-hour response to industrial incidents.

How to Apply & Selection Criteria

Interested individuals must submit a completed Air District application and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Application must be submitted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply. Postmarked, faxed, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.

Supplemental Questions Instructions
Individuals who apply for this position must respond to each of the required supplemental questions. Applications must be received by the Human Resources Division no later than the time and date specified in this vacancy announcement. The responses to the supplemental application questions will be used in accordance with the procedures indicated under the Selection Criteria section.

Please limit your responses to 500 words per question. Do not combine your responses or reference your application, resume, or any other requested documentation that you have included with your application packet to answer a question. This information will be evaluated as is and may be used to determine those applicants with the most directly related experience, education, and training to continue in the selection process. It is very important to provide a concise, clear, legible, complete response to each question.

Selection Criteria
Selection may be based upon a competitive examination consisting of a written exercise, interview, or combination of the two. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, an application screening and/or panel interview may be used to determine the most qualified applicants.

The Air District may hire from this recruitment process to fill future vacancies occurring within the next 18 months.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Division at (415) 749-4980.

Equal Employment Opportunity
The Air District does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, genetic information, medical condition, or mental or physical disability, or any other attribute or belief protected by law. It is the Air District’s policy to provide fair and equal access to the benefits of the programs or activities it administers.