Air Permitting Specialist

Air Permitting Specialist Job Description
(Air Permit Writer / Air Quality Specialist / Air Quality Analyst)

Alta Science and Engineering has a current opening for Air Permitting Specialist. The Air Permitting Specialist serves as an experienced air quality professional responsible for developing, reviewing, and managing air quality permits for industrial sources regulated under federal and State of Idaho air quality programs. This full-time (40 hours/week) benefited position will be based in our Boise, Moscow, or Kellogg offices.

Location: Idaho (Hybrid/Office-based as applicable)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

This position supports State and Federal clients and regulatory compliance efforts in reviewing and preparing air quality permits, conducting emissions analyses, and interpreting and applying applicable air quality rules, regulations, policies, and guidance.

This is a mid- to senior-level role that works collaboratively with project managers, engineers, regulators, and industry representatives on a wide variety of air quality projects, including criteria pollutants, air toxics, and greenhouse gas regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Typical duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and prepare air quality permits


• Conduct permit reviews, emissions calculations, and regulatory applicability analyses under federal and Idaho air quality regulations.


• Serve as primary technical contact with clients, facility operators, and regulatory agencies regarding permit requirements, emission limits, and air pollution control technologies.


• Perform and review air dispersion modeling and emissions inventory analyses.


• Interpret and apply federal, tribal, state, and local air quality laws, rules, and guidance documents.


• Review engineering plans, process descriptions, and control equipment designs for regulatory compliance.


• Assist with regulatory negotiations, responses to agency comments, and permit revisions.


• Prepare technical reports, memoranda, and supporting documentation.


• Participate in meetings, site visits, and agency coordination as needed.


• Provide technical support in contested cases or hearings, including preparation of expert testimony when required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, Civil, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering.


• Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in Idaho or ability to obtain Idaho licensure.


• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in air quality permitting, regulatory compliance, or a closely related field.


• Demonstrated experience with air permit writing, permit reviews, and regulatory interpretation.


• Strong technical writing, analytical, and organizational skills.


• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical and regulatory information to clients and agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or a related environmental field.


• Experience with State of Idaho air permitting.


• Proficiency with air quality modeling tools and emissions calculation methodologies.


• Experience working with a variety of industrial processes and air pollution control technologies.


• Experience using Generative AI tools to enhance research, technical analysis, and communication is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of industrial and commercial processes and applicable air pollution control technologies.


• Knowledge of engineering principles as applied to air contaminant generation and control.


• Ability to analyze complex data sets, determine data reliability, and draw sound conclusions.


• Ability to interpret and apply environmental laws, regulations, and policies.


• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.


• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision elections available


• Paid Life insurance with supplemental elections available


• Paid Short-term disability insurance with buy-up options available


• Employee assistance program (EAP)


• Flexible spending account (FSA)


• Health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)


• Healthy Workplace benefits


• Alternative Transportation reimbursement


• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match


• Discretionary Bonuses


• Discretionary Profit Sharing


• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick and Holidays)


• Professional Development


• Tuition Reimbursement