Coastal Planner

Job Description and Duties

The California Coastal Commission (Commission) is seeking a new talented addition to its North Central Coast District Office in San Francisco. The North Central Coast District Office has responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the California Coastal Act in Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties. This Coastal Program Analyst (also referred to as a “Coastal Planner”) position is located in the Commission’s San Francisco Office, and the selected candidates will be hired as either a Coastal Program Analyst I or II, depending on the level of their experience. These positions represent the ‘line’ planning positions in the Commission, and will be responsible for helping to implement the local coastal program (LCP) planning and coastal development permit (CDP) regulatory work in the North Central 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 reporting directly to the District Supervisor and District Manager. Duties include:

• Review coastal development permit applications for conformity with California Coastal Act requirements;
• Analyze coastal land use plans and zoning ordinances prepared by cities and counties in the coastal zone for conformity with California Coastal Act requirements;
• Prepare written recommendations to the Commission on permit applications and other matters;
• Review compliance by applicants with the terms of previously issued coastal permits;
• Monitor the coastal regulatory and planning programs of assigned 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 Local Coastal Program (LCP) policies;
• Provide information to permit applicants and members of the public regarding the Commission’s regulatory and planning programs;
• Take a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems of LCP interpretation and implementation;
• Perform miscellaneous other tasks, including analyzing the environmental impacts of projects in the coastal zone; interpreting aerial photographs and mapped information; visiting the sites of coastal projects; and attending meetings with local, state, and federal government agencies;
• Some travel and fieldwork is required;
• Support public participation and public outreach;
• Prepare and present effective oral presentations; and
• Possible work on grant projects.

This position is limited term 12 months, may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

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

Working Conditions

Work regular hours, Monday through Friday, although some evening or weekend work may be required on occasion. Consistent with the Commission’s hybrid work and telework policies, work location may be eligible to be a combination of in-office (a climate-controlled office environment with artificial lighting in the Commission’s office building in San Francisco, or in the field as needed) and remote (an approved alternate work location consistent with the Commission’s telework policy). 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 with land use planning and regulatory techniques.
• Familiarity with the functions and relationships of federal, state, regional, county, and city governments and special districts.
• Knowledge of and experience with the means of implementing LCP, such as zoning and other legal and regulatory processes.
• Ability to analyze information, creatively explore alternative approaches, and develop defensible policy positions.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to write accurate, complete, and concise staff reports and correspondence.
• Knowledge of and experience with the impacts of development on, and ways to avoid impacts to, typical Central 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 (such as no and low cost visitor opportunities, public rights-of-way, etc.).
• Knowledge of and experience with a broad range of resource protection laws and provisions.
• Knowledge of and experience with working with LCPs and CDPs.
• Time management and computer skills including the ability to use data base management systems.
• Advanced degree in environmental or land use planning or law or 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.