Entry Level Air Quality Engineer

Overview

About RTI

RTI International is one of the world’s leading research institutes, with a staff of more than 6,000 individuals, dedicated to improving the human condition by turning knowledge into practice.

RTI’s Air Quality Engineering Group includes more than 30 scientists and engineers supporting federal programs under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and supporting state programs for air toxics.

For over 40 years, we have supported the development of various air quality regulations under the Clean Air Act, primarily New Source Performance Standards (NSPS, Part 60) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP, Part 63).

We have also supported the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP, 40 CFR Part 98) since its inception, and we are currently supporting implementation of legislative mandates for the GHGRP under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Since 2023, our team has supported EPA grant programs including the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Program and the Diesel Emissions Reductions Grant Program.

These congressionally appropriated grant programs are authorized to award nearly $5 billion dollars to reduce air pollution and address disproportionate impacts in disadvantaged communities.

We are currently seeking highly motivated entry level engineers and scientists (with experience in tribal, territorial, local, state, or federal air pollution control programs) to support these congressionally mandated regulatory programs and grant programs being implemented by the EPA in all states and U.

S. Territories and in the sovereign tribal nations located within the boundaries of the United States.

Job Description

The successful candidate will provide technical support for government clients including the U.S. EPA’s Sectors, Policies, and Programs Division (SPPD), Climate Change Division (CCD), Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) Headquarters, and EPA Regional Offices.

Primary duties will include supporting the EPA’s mission by preparing air emissions inventories, analyzing data, evaluating pollution control options, estimating costs, writing technical reports, and providing technical support for air quality grant programs.

Assignments will directly support developing and amending air quality regulations under CAA sections 111 and 112 (NSPS and NESHAP), implementation of the GHGRP, and implementation of the EPA’s competitive grant programs for reducing air pollution.

The successful entry level candidate will work under the advisement of project managers and senior leadership to develop high quality work products for our government clients.

Entry level candidates will be expected to take ownership of their tasks, demonstrate initiative, perform critical thinking, recognize when to seek guidance, and deliver their work products on time and within budget.

Successful candidates will have the flexibility to work in-person at RTI’s campus in North Carolina, at one of RTI’s regional offices, or as a full-time or part-time teleworker.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of Federal air quality regulations.
• Develop emissions inventories for criteria pollutants, HAP, and GHG.
• Assist in the evaluation and management of federal grants targeting air pollution reductions.
• Assist with the collection, evaluation and analysis of industry emissions and operations data to inform the rulemaking process.
• Identify and evaluate options for reducing criteria, HAP, and GHG emissions from industrial sources.
• Assess performance and costs of air pollution control equipment and emissions monitoring methods.

Qualifications

• BS (or higher) in Chemical or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or other technical discipline (related engineering or science degree).
• 0 - 1 years related project experience. This is an entry level position.
• Cover letter summarizing your relevant experience to this position and areas of interest within the environmental management field is required.

If you have experience with grant management, please highlight that experience.

• Experience with Title V source permitting, air emissions inventories, GHG Reporting Program, NSPS, or NESHAP.
• Experience in one or more of the following GHG emissions sectors : electric power, transportation, industry, residential and commercial buildings, waste and materials management, agriculture / natural and working lands.
• Engineer Intern (EI) certification preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated communication skills (verbal and written) and technical writing capability (required).
• Computer spreadsheet and database skills (particularly Excel and Access).
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require now, or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status.

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