Associate Coastal Planner

Job Description and Duties

The California Coastal Commission is seeking a talented addition to its North Coast District Office in Arcata. The North Coast District has responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the California Coastal Act in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties, a distance of over 325 miles. The Coastal Act provides for the balanced use of the coastal zone and includes policies to protect, restore, and enhance coastal and marine resources for the continuing benefit of current and future generations. Working in conjunction with local governments who are required to bring their local plans and zoning ordinances into conformity with the policies of the California Coastal Act, the Coastal Commission regulates land use and development along California’s 1,100-mile-long coastline. Employees at the Commission enjoy working on a broad range of issues to plan for and manage coastal land uses while protecting important coastal resources including wetlands, sensitive habitats, scenic landscapes and public views to and along the coast, public coastal access and recreation opportunities. The Commission’s staff includes dedicated planners, environmental scientists, attorneys, geologists and engineers, and administrative staff.

This Coastal Program Analyst position is located in the Commission’s Arcata office, and the desired candidate may be hired at the Coastal Program Analyst I (Coastal Planner) or II (Associate Coastal Planner) level, depending on their level of experience. This position works with local governments on the development and implementation of Local Coastal Programs (LCPs), reviews LCP documents to determine if they are consistent with the California Coastal Act, reviews and provides written recommendations on coastal development permit (CDP) applications to determine if proposals are consistent with the Coastal Act or LCP as applicable, and reviews and provides recommendations on appeals to the Commission of local government decisions. This position will be responsible for helping to implement the LCP planning and CDP regulatory work in the North Coast District, including project management, coordination with other agency units (e.g., legal, enforcement, technical services, etc.), and external communications outside the district. In addition, attendance at certain Coastal Commission meetings and making staff presentations will be required.

The person in this position will report directly to a North Coast District Supervisor and the District Manager. Duties will include but will not be limited to:

• Review coastal development permit (CDP) applications for current development projects for conformity with California Coastal Act and local government Local Coastal Program (LCP) requirements;
• Analyze LCP land use plans and zoning ordinances, and amendments to these planning documents, prepared by coastal cities and counties for conformity with California Coastal Act requirements;
• Prepare written recommendations to the Commission on CDP applications, LCP amendment applications, appeals, and other planning and permitting matters;
• Review compliance by permittees with the terms and conditions of issued coastal permits;
• Monitor the LCP regulatory and planning programs of assigned coastal cities and counties and participate through means such as commenting on proposed developments under review at the local level and assisting local government planners in interpretation of the California Coastal Act and LCP policy requirements;
• Provide information to permit applicants, local government planning staff, tribal government representatives, and members of the public regarding the Commission’s regulatory and planning programs and specific coastal development projects;
• Take a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems of LCP policy interpretation and implementation;
• Perform other miscellaneous tasks, including analyzing the environmental impacts of projects in the coastal zone; interpreting plans and aerial photographs and mapped and technical information; visiting the sites of coastal projects; and attending meetings with local, state, and federal government agencies and tribal governments;
• Support public participation and public outreach;
• Prepare and present effective oral presentations and written recommendations to various audiences; and
• Possible work on grant projects.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

The California Coastal Commission office is located in Arcata (Humboldt County). The employee will work Monday through Friday. Consistent with the Commission’s hybrid work and telework policies, work location may be eligible to be a combination of in-office (an open-space, climate-controlled office environment, under artificial lighting in a commercial building in Arcata). Effective July 1, 2026, the implementation of a default minimum of four in-person days per week is a statewide requirement for agencies and departments, consistent with Executive Order N-22-25 and guidance released by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR).The telework and hybrid work policies are subject to change at any time. 

Minimum Requirements

• COASTAL PROGRAM ANALYST II
• COASTAL PROGRAM ANALYST I

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Department Information

Application Instructions

• Knowledge of and experience working with the California Coastal Act, Local Coastal Programs, and Coastal Development Permits;
• Knowledge of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), current state planning law, principles and practices of land use planning, and the functions and relationships of federal, state, regional, county, and city governments and special districts;
• Knowledge of and experience with the impacts of development on, and ways to avoid impacts to, typical North Coast natural resources (such as natural shorelines and beaches, dunes, streams, wetlands, agricultural and rural lands, surface and groundwater supplies, public views, etc.) and other coastal resources;
• Strong writing and analytical skills, the ability to write accurate, complete, and concise reports and correspondence, and the ability to research complex coastal resource issues and develop defensible policy positions;
• Effective verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a team member, including working cooperatively with local, state and federal agency officials to identify issues and be proactive in problem-solving efforts;
• Time management and computer skills, including the ability to use database management systems;
• Experience with environmental justice and tribal consultation; and

• A background in land use planning, law, environmental studies/resource management, or a closely related field.

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

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.