Air Specialist
GS-0401-09

Introduction

This position is located on a Forest Service unit. The incumbent serves as a professional air quality specialist performing a variety of conventional air quality tasks.

Major Duties

Conducts air quality monitoring and air pollution effects studies, in cooperation with other resource specialists.

Maintains and evaluates the Forest’s data relating to air quality, atmospheric deposition, and air pollution effects on forest resources.

Assists in review of air permit application for major new sources of air pollution to affirmatively protect the air quality related values of class I areas managed by the Forest.

Provides input to Forest Service land management planning efforts, specifically with respect to air quality, atmospheric deposition, air pollution effects to forest resources and smoke management.

Provides technical support in smoke management, particularly smoke modeling and monitoring, to fire management.

Prepares reports of findings including the collection and analysis or review of data.

Factors

Factor 1, Knowledge Required by the Position

Professional knowledge of air quality principles and concepts sufficient to undertake moderately difficult resource management projects.

Knowledge sufficient to interpret the effect and impact of any change in the level or type of air quality on other resources such as timber, fisheries wildlife, soils, water, and visibility.

Working knowledge of related disciplines, e.g., hydrology, aquatic ecology, soil science, botany, forestry, geology, and meteorology.

Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to prepare reports and effectively present information.

Factor 2, Supervisory Controls

The supervisor identifies boundaries of the project assignments, critical deadlines, and the overall nature of the expected results.

The air specialist independently plans the steps and techniques necessary to complete the assignments in accordance with established air quality practices and techniques. Where unusual or unconventional conditions occur, the air specialist discusses situations prior to taking action.

The supervisor reviews the work for technical adequacy and soundness, and accomplishment of overall objectives.

Factor 3, Guidelines

Guidelines include general Forest Service policy guidelines, Agency handbooks, manuals, land use plans and annual program of work; the Clean Air Act Amendments, Code of Federal Register and State Implementation Plans; and policy of other Federal agencies such as the National Park Service and Environmental Protection Agency. The guides may not be specific as to on-the-ground conditions that exist at any point in time, or the handling of particular problems.

The air specialist selects from alternative methods or approaches that appear appropriate to the existing situation, and makes minor deviations to adapt guidelines in specific cases. When existing guidelines are inadequate, or require major deviations the incumbent recommends modifications or new methods to the supervisor.

Factor 4, Complexity

Incumbent must collect, evaluate, and apply air quality data using current policy and guidelines to make accurate decisions. Projects assigned vary greatly and the air specialist must utilize existing concepts, modify previous concepts and precedents and develop new techniques to improve management opportunities. More difficult problems are addressed through the use of other specialists and published research to determine recommended courses of action.

Factor 5, Scope and Effect

The purpose of the work is to provide technical support to the Forest in air resource management. Through inventory, monitoring and personal contacts, the incumbent will be able to determine resources at risk from pollution and recommend courses of action to reduce impacts during review of state implementation plans and air permit applications. .

The work affects many resources including timber, water, fire, recreation, wildlife and fisheries. And effective program will protect forest resources from impacts of future sources of air pollution.

Factor 6, Personal Contacts

Contacts are with agency personnel, air permit applicants, company representatives, state air regulatory personnel and public interest groups.

Factor 7, Purpose of Contacts

Contacts are for the purposes of obtaining advice and direction, gathering (and reporting on) Forest air quality and air pollution effects to forest resources, monitoring activities such as smoke management.

Factor 8, Physical Demands

Work requires some physical exertion. Field inspections involve walking, standing, stooping and carrying of sampling equipment.

Factor 9, Work Environment

Work is performed in and office and field environment. Field work includes risk of jury from falls and strains, and includes occasional exposure to inclement weather such as rain, cold, and heat.