Description
Inspect and investigate sources of air pollution to protect public health and the environment and ensure conformance with Federal, State, and local air quality regulations and ordinances.
- • Prepare data to calculate emissions inventories and permit or emissions fees.
- • Determine the nature of air quality violations and actions to be taken, issue notices of violation, and participate in enforcement hearings as needed.
- • Examine air permits, registrations, applications, and emissions records to verify compliance with permitting and reporting requirements.
- • Prepare, organize, and maintain air inspection and compliance records.
- • Interview facility staff and witnesses to determine the nature of suspected emission violations and obtain evidence.
- • Prepare written, oral, tabular, and graphic reports summarizing applicable air requirements, findings, and enforcement, including chain-of-custody documentation.
- • Monitor follow-up and corrective actions where violations were found, and review compliance certifications and stack test reports.
- • Investigate complaints and suspected violations involving odors, smoke, dust, open burning, idling, solvent use, or vapor recovery.
- • Inspect stationary sources and control equipment (e.g., baghouses, scrubbers, oxidizers, ESPs) for conformance with regulations and permit conditions.
- • Inform individuals and groups of air pollution control regulations and inspection findings, and explain corrective measures.
- • Determine sampling locations and methods, and collect ambient, stack, or fugitive air samples using approved methods and custody procedures.
- • Verify that hazardous air pollutants, VOC materials, and fuels are stored, handled, and controlled in accordance with requirements (e.g., LDAR, tank controls).
- • Research and stay current on Clean Air Act programs, SIP rules, NSPS, NESHAP/MACT, and related guidance.
- • Prioritize sites and complaint reports for investigation, and coordinate compliance and enforcement with other agencies.
- • Observe and record field conditions, including opacity readings, control device parameters, stack temperature/pressure/flow, meteorology, and process rates.
- • Learn and apply proper safety precautions and practices, including respiratory protection and confined space and hot-work awareness.
- • Evaluate labels and product data for VOC/HAP content and conformance to regulatory limits.
- • Inform health professionals, property owners, and the public about air pollutant hazards and exposure reduction.
- • Analyze and implement federal, state, or local air requirements to maintain approved compliance programs (e.g., Title V MR&R, SSM plans).
- • Coordinate, witness, or review source tests and performance evaluations, and verify methods and results.
- • Review and evaluate air permit applications, emission inventory reports, and vapor recovery certifications.
- • Research and perform emission calculations using AP-42 factors, material balances, throughputs, control efficiencies, opacity limits, and PTE, and document findings.
- • Participate in development of dust control, open burning, and air toxics rules and compliance guidance, and recommend corrective actions.
- • Maintain, calibrate, and repair inspection and monitoring equipment (e.g., particulate samplers, gas analyzers, OGI cameras, opacity meters).
- • Conduct special monitoring projects on air toxics, odors, or neighborhood-scale impacts, assessing alternatives where appropriate.
- • Respond to questions and inquiries regarding permits, emissions inventories, and air program fees, or refer them to supervisors.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
