[Hiring] Senior Air Quality Permitting Lead @Spheros Environmental

Role Description

Spheros Environmental is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Air Quality Permitting Engineer/Scientist/Manager to oversee and manage air permitting strategies and compliance efforts. This role will lead complex permitting projects, guide regulatory strategy, and serve as a key liaison between clients, internal teams, and regulatory agencies. The position requires the ability to critically review technical reports, provide direction to Spheros’ technical specialists, and resolve regulatory or technical issues as they arise. The role is remote and will evolve into team leadership over time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and management of air permit applications and technical analyses under federal, state and local regulatory programs including: New Source Review (NSR), Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), and Title V Operating Permits.
• Develop permitting strategies to support project development and operational compliance, including control technology evaluations and mitigation measures.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local air quality regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
• Oversee emissions calculations, regulatory analyses, and technical documentation.
• Review and ensure quality of permit applications, compliance reports, and supporting materials.
• Respond to agency comments related to the air quality permitting process.
• Mentor junior staff and project teams.
• Stay current on regulatory changes and emerging policy trends impacting air permitting.

Client and Agency Coordination:

• Act as a senior point of contact for air quality permitting technical issues.
• Coordinate with local air districts and regulatory agencies to support permit approval and resolve technical questions.
• Participate in project meetings with air quality project managers and clients to present technical findings and discuss their implications.
• Advise on regulatory risk, mitigation options, and project strategy based on study results and site or community sensitivities.
• Coordinate production of technical reports with the Document Manager and project team to ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables.
• Assist in resolving complex regulatory or coordination issues through strategic problem-solving and clear, professional communication.

Proposal Development and Business Support:

• Support development of detailed scopes of work and cost estimates for air quality analyses tasks on permitting projects.
• Define technical strategy and approach based on project-specific site conditions, regulatory context, and community or environmental justice sensitivities.
• Support proposal development and client presentations for prospective air quality projects.
• Assist with development of standardized scopes, templates, and internal guidance for air quality permitting analysis services.
• Track project budgets and schedules for air quality scope elements; flag issues to the project manager promptly.

Sales and Marketing:

• Mines existing client relationships for air quality permitting work that can be brought in-house.
• Attend industry events to develop contacts and represent Spheros’ air quality permitting capabilities.
• Conduct outreach to professional network to market air quality permitting work.
• The position has an internal revenue target of approximately $250,000 per year, typically achieved through marketing of existing clients and participation in successful proposals.

Reporting and Team Relationships:

• Reports to relevant project managers or upper management on any major issues on projects, including issues with schedules, agencies, or data/information gaps.
• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior air quality analysts.
• Develop training plans, workflows, and quality standards to build the technical skills of junior staff over time.
• As the practice grows, train and/or recruit and manage additional staff with the goal of building a team to sustain an air quality permitting program.
• Serves as a supervisor – performs supervisor duties, completes paperwork, and assists in the hiring process as the team grows.
• Keeps assignments on schedule and keeps communication flow clear and concise between all team members.
• Uses project management software to track deliverables.
• Exhibits professionalism with client and agency staff.
• Completes timesheets daily and submits weekly to supervisor.

Qualifications

• At least 12 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g. BS + 8 years, MS + 7 years, PhD + 6 years) in Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Engineering, Public Health, or a related field.
• Proficiency in regulatory analysis methods, emissions calculations, and emission control technology evaluations such as best available control technology (BACT).
• Comprehensive understanding of air quality dispersion models (e.g., AERMOD).
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local air regulations with emphasis on the Clean Air Act, including NSR/PSD, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and Title V Permitting.
• Prior experience leading complex permitting projects, managing client relationships, and working with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
• Experience with criteria pollutant and GHG emissions inventories, annual emissions reporting, and data analysis.
• Familiarity and comfort with managing multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment through excellent organizational, time management, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel in support of project and business development activities.

Benefits

• Salary range of $121,000 - $162,000, with opportunities for bonuses and 401(k) contributions.
• Ongoing training, conference opportunities, and pathways to leadership and ownership roles.
• Hybrid work options and flexible remote work opportunities in approved states.
• We are an equal opportunity employer that fosters a diverse and supportive work environment.
• Opportunities to provide clients with services from all of Spheros Environmental practice areas.