About the Air District

Departments

The Air District’s departments are structured to create a responsive, flexible, and thorough framework to achieve clean air. Learn more about the District’s departments: Administration, Communications, Community Engagement, Compliance and Enforcement, Engineering, Information Services, Legal, Planning and Research, Strategic Incentives, and Technical Services.

Administrative Resources

The Administrative Resources department provides business, facility, fleet, and diversity, equity, and inclusion services to the Air District. This team manages contracts, RFPs/RFQs, fleet services, business supplies, the mailroom, facilities operations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and events.

Assessment, Inventory, and Modeling

The Assessment, Inventory, and Modeling (AIM) Division prepares comprehensive source emission inventories for the Bay Area and conducts air quality modeling at both regional and community scales. AIM prepares technical assessments that evaluate equity in air pollution exposures and health impacts in support of Air District programs. AIM coordinates and implements programs to improve and report estimates of emissions of criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and climate forcing pollutants. AIM assesses emissions, concentrations, and exposures of toxic air contaminants, particulate matter, ozone, and their precursors, to support targeted strategies that reduce impacts of air pollution both regionally and within communities.

Communications

The Communications Office reports news and information about Air District efforts to the public and media. Communications manages behavioral outreach programs such as Spare the Air and 1-800-EXHAUST. In addition to media releases, the office publishes the Air Currents newsletter and other publications for the general public, and oversees advertising and public relations for Air District programs.

Community Protection

The Community Protection section implements the Air District’s Public Participation Plan. It facilitates community meetings, and coordinates local air improvement Spare the Air Resource Teams and youth outreach activities. The Community Protection Section is developing a Community Council and a Community Grant Program. The Community Engagement section engages with the public, businesses and local governments as the Air District works to protect public health, improve air quality and protect the global climate.

Compliance and Enforcement

The Compliance and Enforcement Division helps companies comply with air quality rules and regulations by offering education, guidance, and technical assistance. The Compliance and Enforcement Division’s inspection staff checks that companies are complying with regulations and responds to complaints. When companies do not meet air quality requirements, the division takes action in proportion to the violation.

Engineering

The Engineering Division evaluates permit applications and permit renewals for equipment and operations that emit air pollutants in the Air District’s jurisdiction. The division is responsible for other programs related to facilities with air quality permits, including - but not limited to - the emissions inventory and air toxics programs. The division provides technical support to other agency programs and assists businesses, trade associations, agencies, environmental groups, and community members with issues related to permitting and compliance.

Executive

The Executive Office provides support services to the executive council staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and Hearing Board. This team manages the preparation and execution of Board, Committee, and Council meetings.

Finance

The Finance Office is responsible for maintaining fiscal stewardship and financial activities for the Air District. The office manages accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and preparing the annual budget and financial reports.

Human Resources

The Human Resources Office is responsible for recruitment and selection, employee benefits, payroll, training and organizational development, safety and wellness, and labor relations.

Information Services

The Information Services Division manages and supports the Air District’s information technology needs, including all technology operations, infrastructure, and data systems.

Legal

The Legal Division gives legal advice and representation to Air District staff, the Board of Directors, Board Committees, the Executive Officer, and the Advisory Council. The Legal Division also represents the Air District in litigation and in matters before the Hearing Board. In some cases, the Legal Division manages outside counsel representing the Air District.

Meteorology and Measurement

This Meteorology and Measurement Division monitors and analyzes air quality throughout the Bay Area, including monitoring operations at industrial facilities. The Meteorology and Measurement Division also forecasts regional and local air quality daily based on its 33 monitoring stations and meteorological measurements. 

Planning and Climate Protection

The Planning and Climate Protection Division quantifies and analyzes sources of air pollution and greenhouse gases, prepares plans to meet air quality standards, identifies and mitigates localized air pollution impacts through the Community Air Risk Evaluation (CARE) Program, and assists cities and counties with local air quality and climate programs including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Planning and Climate Protection Division coordinates the integration of climate protection into Air District air quality and health plans and programs.

Production System

The Production System Office is comprised of three sections: Online Services, Data Services, and My Air Online. Online Services manages the Air District’s websites to ensure public access to information, including air quality data, health alerts, air permits, and regulations. Data Services provides for management of information related to the Air District’s permit application, renewal, and registration process, including storage, retrieval, and reporting, as well as system integration and legacy data management. My Air Online manages the design, development, and implementation of web-based enterprise applications supporting the Air District’s permitting, enforcement, and compliance programs. 

Rules and Strategic Policy

The Rules and Strategic Policy Division develops and modifies Air District rules to provide emissions reductions to meet air quality and climate goals.

Strategic Incentives

The Strategic Incentives Division offers financial incentives for projects that improve air quality, reduce air quality health impacts, and protect the global climate. The Strategic Incentives Division focuses on reducing criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases through mobile source and low- or zero-emission transportation projects. The Strategic Incentives Division oversees approximately 1,000 projects funded by state, federal, and local resources every year.

Technology Implementation

The Technology Implementation Office cultivates partnerships between technology developers and customers and offers grants and loans for low-carbon technologies for the industrial and transportation sectors to accelerate climate action.

Spare the Air Status

Last Updated: 2/22/2024