Under the direction of the District Manager and District Supervisor(s), an Assistant Coastal Planner performs a wide variety of training and entry level tasks relating to the permit processing and planning functions of the California Coastal Commission. In concurrence with the Commission’s Environmental Justice policy, all planners are tasked with identifying and analyzing potential environmental justice impacts in projects, and drafting environmental justice, diversity and inclusion provisions in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission’s Environmental Justice Policy. Conducting tribal coordination and consultation for relevant projects, including communicating with and gathering information from tribes, assessing impacts to cultural and tribal resources and drafting findings in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission’s Tribal Consultation Policy.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
35% – Review and Processing of Coastal Development Permit Applications and Appeals
- Reviews applications for completeness and consistency with the Coastal Act.
- In accordance with strict time schedules, prepares summaries and recommendations for Commission action on less complex development projects within the coastal zone.
- Meets with applicants and their representatives for the purpose of discussing a wide variety of types of development projects and suggests how to make such projects consistent with provisions of the Coastal Act and/or the applicable Local Coastal Program (LCP).
- Consults with Commission staff experts on the technical and legal details of proposed development projects.
- Contacts and works with professional planners in cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions who may be affected by proposed development projects.
- Reviews and summarizes less complex technical information related to the environmental impact of proposed development projects.
- Appears with some regularity before the Commission for the purpose of explaining and supporting staff recommendations on regulatory and planning matters.
- Actively participates in district project review meetings to discuss pending projects and share information.
- Accurately and regularly enters data in the Coastal Data Management System (CDMS) to reflect the current status of permit and planning applications.
35% – LCP Planning and Coordination with Local Governments
- Advises local governments on the preparation of LCPs and LCP amendments.
- Drafts staff recommendations on LCP land use and implementation planning document submittals.
- Monitors the coastal regulatory and planning programs of assigned cities and counties and assists local government planners in interpretation of the Coastal Act and LCP policies and standards.
- Monitors post-LCP-certification notices and appealable development during the local review period of assigned cities and counties.
- Prepares appeal summaries for management review and solicitation of Commissioner appeals.
- Contacts and works with professional planners in cities, counties and other jurisdictions who are involved in preparing LCP documents.
- Coordinates with professional planners in cities, counties and other jurisdictions in the coastal zone during the local review period and prior to submittal of LCP amendments.
- Attends planning meetings with District Supervisor and/or District Manager and local government representatives regarding upcoming LCP planning items.
- Writes responses to less complex EIRs and EISs.
- Appears with some regularity before the Commission for the purpose of explaining and supporting staff recommendations on regulatory and planning matters.
20% – Explains the Commission’s Mission and Process
- Meets with potential applicants and others interested in the programs of the Commission to explain the provisions of the Coastal Act and the Commission’s processes.
- Meets with various individuals and groups interested in the conservation and the development of the coastline and suggests how problems should be solved.
- Responds to informational requests from the public and interested stakeholders in a timely fashion, no longer than 48 hours after initial contact is received.
3% – Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Participates in tasks, trainings, outreach and other activities that support implementation of the agency’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) plan, which aims to create an inclusive workplace that allows staff from diverse backgrounds to thrive and improves agency outreach and public engagement. For example, this may include attending quarterly JEDI calls, sitting on interview panels, contributing to or attending staff trainings on JEDI issues such as on implicit bias, presenting at outreach events at locations with greater diversity, and providing input on hiring practices.
7% – Marginal Functions
- Assists with the copying, collating and mailing of staff reports, notices and other materials for monthly Commission meetings.
- Lifts and moves boxes;
- Pulls files;
- Drives to and participates in site visits.
- Participates in Various Special Projects to Advance the Commission’s Strategic Plan.
- Some travel and field work is required
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate’s relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Knowledge of the California Coastal Act; the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); current state planning law, and principles and practices of land use planning is critical. A background in planning, environmental studies or resource management, or a closely related field is desirable. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to research and creatively explore complex coastal resource issues. Effective writing and verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and as a team member are critical. Experience with environmental justice and/or tribal consultation is desirable. The candidate must be able to work cooperatively with other local, state and federal agency officials and will be expected to be rigorous in identifying issues and pro-active in their problem-solving efforts.
