Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-506557
Position #(s):
673-450-3875-030
Working Title:
Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist
Classification:
STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST
$10,521.00 - $13,173.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify
CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews. Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.
Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov
Job Description And Duties
This is a repost. If you have previously applied for this position, there is no need to reapply.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the state agency responsible for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. CARB leads the development and implementation of strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and tracks progress toward that goal. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a critical component of California’s carbon-neutrality pathway, as directed by Senate Bill 905 (Caballero, 2022).
The Carbon Strategies Section leads CARB’s technical analyses, protocol development, and carbon accounting related to CDR. The Section’s work spans non–nature-based carbon removal pathways, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS); marine CDR; direct air capture (DAC); and other emerging technologies.
The Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist serves as the senior technical and policy expert within the Carbon Strategies Section. This position leads the most complex and impactful technical, regulatory, and policy work related to CDR, ensuring the timely, credible, and high-quality delivery of Section products. The role requires strong engineering or scientific judgment, policy acumen, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable regulatory and strategic outcomes.
The Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert on carbon dioxide removal technologies, pathways, and policies, providing technical leadership across the full scope of the Section’s work. The position conducts and oversees advanced technical and policy analyses to evaluate the efficacy, costs, benefits, limitations, public-health impacts, feasibility, scalability, and equity implications of CDR approaches for use in protocol development, regulatory design, and statewide climate policy. The Specialist stays current on CARB, interagency, academic, and federal research, programs, and policy developments to ensure that the Section’s work reflects the best available science and data and achieves meaningful policy impact. The role involves communicating the Section’s work to external stakeholders, coordinating meetings and engagement with partners, and collaborating closely with public agencies, research institutions, equity stakeholders, industry representatives, and CARB staff, management, and executive leadership. The Specialist identifies research gaps and emerging issues to advance CARB’s understanding of cutting-edge CDR topics and incorporates social-equity considerations into all aspects of technical and policy development. In addition, the position leads the development of reports and other section deliverables, ensures project timelines are met, and mentors and coaches staff by providing guidance on the section’s most complex and high-priority technical and policy efforts.
Please note that applicants will need to have successfully taken the Staff Air Pollution Specialist exam or to be currently employed as a Staff Air Pollution Specialist in California State Service, available here: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/Bulletin.aspx?examCD=3PB05
The exam is to determine experience in and exposure to relevant fields; it does not include technical questions. Exam-takers should consider review of material in a professional or academic setting to count towards relevant experience.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Applicants must include a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) for this recruitment. Applications without an SQ or including an SQ that does not directly answer all the items below will not be considered. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SQ.
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 3/7/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
State Air Resources Board
Essam Gad
Attn: Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
State Air Resources Board
Essam Gad
Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
The drop-off location is non-operational on weekends and holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-506557
Position #(s):
673-450-3875-030
Working Title:
Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist
Classification:
STAFF AIR POLLUTION SPECIALIST
$10,521.00 - $13,173.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify
CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews. Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.
Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov
Job Description And Duties
This is a repost. If you have previously applied for this position, there is no need to reapply.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is the state agency responsible for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. CARB leads the development and implementation of strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and tracks progress toward that goal. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is a critical component of California’s carbon-neutrality pathway, as directed by Senate Bill 905 (Caballero, 2022).
The Carbon Strategies Section leads CARB’s technical analyses, protocol development, and carbon accounting related to CDR. The Section’s work spans non–nature-based carbon removal pathways, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); biomass carbon removal and storage (BiCRS); marine CDR; direct air capture (DAC); and other emerging technologies.
The Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist serves as the senior technical and policy expert within the Carbon Strategies Section. This position leads the most complex and impactful technical, regulatory, and policy work related to CDR, ensuring the timely, credible, and high-quality delivery of Section products. The role requires strong engineering or scientific judgment, policy acumen, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable regulatory and strategic outcomes.
The Lead Carbon Dioxide Removal Specialist serves as a subject-matter expert on carbon dioxide removal technologies, pathways, and policies, providing technical leadership across the full scope of the Section’s work. The position conducts and oversees advanced technical and policy analyses to evaluate the efficacy, costs, benefits, limitations, public-health impacts, feasibility, scalability, and equity implications of CDR approaches for use in protocol development, regulatory design, and statewide climate policy. The Specialist stays current on CARB, interagency, academic, and federal research, programs, and policy developments to ensure that the Section’s work reflects the best available science and data and achieves meaningful policy impact. The role involves communicating the Section’s work to external stakeholders, coordinating meetings and engagement with partners, and collaborating closely with public agencies, research institutions, equity stakeholders, industry representatives, and CARB staff, management, and executive leadership. The Specialist identifies research gaps and emerging issues to advance CARB’s understanding of cutting-edge CDR topics and incorporates social-equity considerations into all aspects of technical and policy development. In addition, the position leads the development of reports and other section deliverables, ensures project timelines are met, and mentors and coaches staff by providing guidance on the section’s most complex and high-priority technical and policy efforts.
Please note that applicants will need to have successfully taken the Staff Air Pollution Specialist exam or to be currently employed as a Staff Air Pollution Specialist in California State Service, available here: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/Bulletin.aspx?examCD=3PB05
The exam is to determine experience in and exposure to relevant fields; it does not include technical questions. Exam-takers should consider review of material in a professional or academic setting to count towards relevant experience.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Special Requirements
Applicants must include a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) for this recruitment. Applications without an SQ or including an SQ that does not directly answer all the items below will not be considered. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SQ.
- Require Name on SQ
- Require Job Control Number on SQ
- Maximum number of pages: 2 (Arial font, 12 point, single spaced, 1-inch margins)
- Describe your experience with carbon dioxide removal technology and how many years you have in this space.
- Describe your experience in carbon accounting and how many years in this space.
- Describe your leadership experience and how many years you have been in a leadership position.
- Describe your experience in carbon markets, regulatory environments, and/or CDR project implementation and how many years of experience.
- Describe your experience leading large/complex projects involving multiple people.
- Describe your experience mentoring and coaching others and how many years.
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 3/7/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
State Air Resources Board
Essam Gad
Attn: Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
State Air Resources Board
Essam Gad
Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
The drop-off location is non-operational on weekends and holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Degree and/or School Transcripts
- Other - Cover Letter
- Supplemental Application - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SQ submission.