Planning Team Lead

Job Description and Duties

This is the fully qualified independent specialist level for Air Pollution Specialist program and policy development work. Under direction of the Policy Unit Manager, the Staff Air Pollution Specialist (Planning Team Lead) serves as the senior staff member of the Planning Team and guides the work product of up to 4 professional policy staff. The incumbent leads the development and update of the General Plan Guidelines, Climate Action Plan Technical Advisory, and other complex technical advisories that support local governments in implementing state directives on land use, climate, equity, and resilience. The Planning Team Lead conducts advanced research, and data analysis; evaluates policy and scientific information; and provides expert recommendations on planning and climate issues statewide.

This position involves extensive collaboration with state agencies, academic partners, local governments, Tribes, and community stakeholders on topics including land use, housing, climate mitigation and regeneration, adaptation and resilience, environmental justice, conservation, open space planning, and transportation. The role requires applying scientific principles, air quality expertise, and advanced analytical skills to guide the development of planning policies and tools that support climate goals and air quality objectives in California. The position requires both planning and policy skills and the ability to work well with technical staff in evaluating land use, housing, transportation, and emissions data.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without a reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. This position may be eligible to participate in LCI’s hybrid telework schedule. Participation in Telework is subject to LCI’s guidelines. Occasional/overnight travel up to 20% may be required

Special Requirements

Demonstrated ability to act independently, with open-mindedness, flexibility, and tact.

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:

• Demonstrated expertise in state, regional, and local government policies and programs related to land use planning, sustainability, air quality, climate mitigation and adaptation, and environmental justice.
• Experience integrating equity and inclusion into planning, climate, or environmental policy work, including meaningful engagement with disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including designing studies, conducting interviews, synthesizing findings, developing data collection tools, and preparing comprehensive reports.
• Experience conducting or analyzing geospatial data and applying GIS tools to planning, air quality, or climate-related studies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into accessible language for diverse audiences.
• Experience leading or facilitating collaborative, deadline-driven projects with multiple partners, including interagency working groups, local governments, Tribes, and academic institutions.
• Strong collaboration and consensus - building skills, including the ability to navigate complex policy issues and facilitate constructive discussions among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple concurrent priorities.
• Strong judgment and reasoning skills, with the ability to evaluate complex situations, consider cultural and contextual factors, and assess risks and tradeoffs.
• Demonstrated commitment to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time to participate in public workshops, field visits, and stakeholder meetings, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and one of California’s most frequently spoken languages (such as Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean).

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

• Medical Benefits, including health , dental , and vision insurance
• Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
• Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
• Paid Holidays
• ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
• School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Statement of Qualifications

When completing the SOQ, you must title the page “Statement of Qualifications” and include your name and the Job Control number at the top of each page. You must list each question and provide your answer below each question. When completing the SOQ please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Responses should be not be longer than two pages in total length, single-spaced, and 12-point Arial font. Your SOQ must address the following:

1. It's 2050 and California has achieved its social and environmental goals, what does it look like and how did we get there?

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• School Transcripts
• Supplemental Application -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. The statement of qualifications is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications and demonstrate the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties listed in this bulletin. The supplemental questionnaire serves as a documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Résumés in lieu of the SOQ will not be considered. 

  Refer to the SOQ Requirement Section of this job posting for the SOQ questions.