Early Career Air Quality Specialist

About the role

Staff Air Quality Specialist – Portland or Lake Oswego Maul Foster & Alongi, Inc. (MFA) is looking for a Staff Air Quality Specialist to support our air quality team in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're based in Portland or Lake Oswego, you'll work alongside a collaborative group of scientists and engineers who are passionate about solving complex regulatory challenges and providing best-in-class service to industrial clients. This early-career role is ideal for someone with an understanding of air quality permitting and compliance who's ready to take the next step—building technical depth, expanding client engagement, and taking on more ownership of tasks and small projects.

Responsibilities

• Dive into air quality projects primarily supporting industrial clients with permitting and compliance across the Pacific Northwest.
• Build emissions inventories in Excel, apply air dispersion modeling tools, interpret environmental regulations, and help shape project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Contribute to technical reports, join client and agency conversations, and play a hands‑on role in both the planning and execution of projects.
• Take more ownership of your work: manage tasks independently, review deliverables for quality, and help keep projects on track.
• Be part of a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning, whether you're in the office or on‑site.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Meteorology, or related field with applicable coursework.
• Experience in air quality permitting or compliance.
• Familiarity with emissions inventory development and air dispersion modeling tools.
• Working knowledge of applicable air quality regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and ability to effectively use Excel for data analysis.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• An intellectual curiosity and drive to seek to understand.
• Ability to solve problems factoring in risks and benefits in decision‑making.
• Dedication to client deadlines and willingness to work overtime, as necessary.
• Ability to perform physical duties including, but not limited to, lifting, use of respiratory equipment and other protective gear, and traversing rough terrain.
• Experience with project scoping, scheduling, and budgeting a plus!

Benefits

• 100% premium coverage for your medical/dental/vision and over 70% for your dependents.
• Competitive paid time off plus nine paid holidays.
• Comp time program for exempt employees.
• Participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• 401k company match.
• Support for your professional growth through coaching and external training support.

Pay

Compensation Range: $70,000 to $80,000.