Director of Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, and Noise Services, California

MIG, Inc. is a national firm specializing in environmental planning, design, communications, management, science, and technology. We believe that the environment around us has a profound impact on our lives, and our shared vision is of a world where people, communities, and ecosystems thrive. For over 40 years, MIG has engaged the talents and vitality of top professionals who plan, design, and sustain communities that connect people to the environment and to each other. Our team members are passionate about their work and share a common desire to engage closely with our clients and the communities impacted by our work.

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Director of Air Quality, Greenhouse Gas, and Noise  Services to serve our California region and join our planning and environmental sciences team in any of MIG’s California offices: Berkeley, Sacramento, San Jose, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena or Fullerton. MIG supports a hybrid work-from-home/remote and in-office schedule and encourages in-person work for learning and team-building opportunities. The person in this position must be able to work from one of the office locations listed above for a portion of each week to conduct in-person training and mentorship, and to attend business development and client meetings.

The person in this position will have opportunities for growth and will work primarily in MIG’s Planning and Environmental Management Services team, which provides technical impact assessment services (CEQA and NEPA), environmental compliance support (permitting and mitigation monitoring), and planning services (specific plans, general plans) to local and state government, special district, and private sector clients.

Responsibilities – What You’ll Accomplish

• Collaborative Teammate and Supervisor: You will work as part of a cross-office, cross-discipline team conducting impact assessments and incorporating goals for healthy communities and environmental protection into the review process. Your colleagues will include not only air quality, climate change, and noise specialists, but experts in other disciplines such as biological resources, CEQA/NEPA, and community planning and engagement.
• Project Work: You will assess potential impacts from site-specific development proposals, as well as larger planning efforts, including Specific Plans and General Plans. You will:
  • document existing environmental conditions in an area; research the laws, ordinances, regulations, and statutes that apply to proposed activities; and evaluate the environmental changes produced by project activities.
  • research and/or collect field data, model environmental changes, and prepare written and numeric evaluations using your technical writing, mathematical computation, and problem-solving skills.
  • prepare air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) and climate change, energy, and noise impact analyses pursuant to CEQA, NEPA, and other Federal, State, and local regulatory compliance requirements.
  • use technical instruments and software programs to measure and predict ambient noise levels, mass pollutant estimates, and air pollutant dispersion characteristics.
• Managing Projects: In addition to team leadership duties, you will also help produce the project work and manage projects. You will provide overarching project direction to MIG staff and oversight of work products; lead internal and external subconsultant and client teams; develop and manage projects including scopes of work, budgets, and schedules; conduct and coordinate research and technical studies; ensure timely and accurate document production; direct graphical analysis; and maintain project records. In addition, Directors and Project Managers at MIG maintain client relationships; identify the correct course of action to the client; represent clients at public hearings and meetings; and set the standards for excellence, responsiveness, and accountability.
• Client Development: You will lead and implement marketing and business development strategies to grow MIG’s Air Quality, Climate Change, and Noise practice, such as identifying leads, preparing proposals, defining market gaps and new opportunities, strategic planning, attending conferences, and developing and maintaining client relationships.
• Leadership Role: Directors at MIG serve as leaders for the firm and group, working together with staff to ensure effective project management; mentor, supervise and train staff; conduct business development; and keep an eye on MIG’s vision, purpose, and reputation in the professional and regulatory community.

Experience and Qualifications for Success – What We’d Like to See

As a successful candidate, you will be able to manage time and competing priorities, think critically and creatively, work as part of a collaborative team, direct and mentor staff, and maintain a sense of humor and camaraderie. In addition, you have some combination of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, physics, meteorology, sustainability, or related field demonstrating knowledge of the basic principles of atmospheric science and/or physics of sound transmission (a Master’s degree in a complementary field is a plus).
• Relevant work experience in environmental consulting, air quality, energy, climate change/GHG, and noise impact assessments, including means and methods of evaluating and mitigating impacts, with experience working with one or more of the following models / databases / methodology documents:
  • CalEEMod, AERMOD, CALINE, EMFAC, HARP, MOVES OFFROAD, U.S. EPA AP-42, SoundPLAN, RCNM, and/or TNM
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local air quality and climate change laws such as the Clean Air Act, California climate change plans and programs such as the Cap and Trade and the Scoping Plan, and local air agency permitting requirements.
• You are willing to travel to job sites approximately 25% of the time, including across the state, to conduct or oversee project field work
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, including maintaining compliance with project contracts; drafting and managing scopes, budgets, and schedules; and working with clients and partners to execute the project work.
• Ability to prepare and deliver effective public presentations, lead working meetings, and speak easily and clearly in client and stakeholder meetings.
• You can actively participate in marketing and business development opportunities, develop proposals for prospective projects, participate in interviews, and develop and maintain potential client and partner relationships.
• You have excellent descriptive, technical, and analytical writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to summarize and convey technical information in a clear, concise manner.
• You have reliable personal transportation and can safely handle and responsibly operate sensitive technical instruments in accordance with operating procedures. This includes the ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds of equipment across uneven terrain and install equipment above ground surfaces using a ladder.
• You are an adaptable teammate who is willing to pitch in and help others but can also work well independently.
• You are professional and organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Software proficiency in Word and Excel and Adobe Acrobat Pro, including document editing, formatting, and use of numerical equations.

How to Apply

If this position sounds like a fit for your skillsets, and you are passionate about improving the communities and environments in which we recreate, live, and work, we would love to hear from you! Please email your resume and a descriptive cover letter to careers@migcom.com.

MIG values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer; we encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Our teams enjoy a flexible work schedule, a rewarding work environment, and a creative atmosphere that allows for professional development and career advancement opportunities while promoting team spirit and genuine camaraderie. We offer a comprehensive benefits program including paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, FSA, and HRA with employer contributions and 401K matching. This is a full-time, salary exempt position though schedules less than 40 hours/week will be hourly and eligible for overtime. The pay range for this position is $135,000-$175,000/year, commensurate with location, skills, experience, and the individual’s ability to bring projects in the door.