Research Specialist

Are you ready to join a team at the forefront of global climate change policy by helping to advance sustainable transportation and communities, with a particular focus on California’s most disadvantaged communities? CARB’s Sustainable Transportation and Communities Division (STCD) has an immediate opening for a motivated staff person to lead the development and implementation of a research agenda to support the Division’s programs, spanning land use, housing, transportation planning, zero-emission mobility, building decarbonization, and California Climate Investments. The staff person will also lead the Division’s efforts to incorporate equity into research and contracts, will play a key role in developing and implementing the Division’s racial equity action plan, and will lead a variety of cross-branch efforts within the Division. The staff person will collaboratively identify research needs and manage external contracts to perform targeted research that supports CARB's policies to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. The staff person should be familiar with STCD’s major policies and programs (e.g., SB 375, zero-emission passenger vehicle regulations, California Climate Investments, and building decarbonization) should also be aware of the environmental and social equity implications of those policies and programs.

The candidate must have strong communication skills, with an ability to speak and write effectively using direct, concise, and non-technical language, and must be able to interact diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders and collaborators. The candidate should be comfortable making presentations and communicating to non-technical persons. The candidate must be organized and possess well-developed project management skills, allowing them to manage multiple high-priority assignments under accelerated and competing deadlines, be adaptable to a rapidly changing policy and political environment, and be comfortable with a flexible and highly collaborative management structure based on cross-branch project teams. The candidate must be committed to working closely with other CARB staff, government agencies, academics, and other interested parties. The Division provides an exciting work environment with highly motivated staff

Applying electronically via CalCareers is highly recommended. If submitting hardcopy applications (mail/drop-off), please email Essam.Gad@arb.ca.gov to confirm submission.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resource Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)  
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.