ATTORNEY

Job Description and Duties

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

The California Coastal Commission’s Legal Division is seeking an Attorney to assist the Commission in pursuing its mission to protect and enhance California’s coast and ocean. The Attorney would join a small and collegial team of attorneys who advise the Coastal Commission and Commission staff on the legal issues arising under the California Coastal Act, state housing laws, the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the Subdivision Map Act, real property law, the California Public Records Act, the California and U.S. Constitutions, and numerous other state and federal laws.

The position will be filled in San Francisco, although part-time remote work would be allowed. There may be occasional travel to other parts of the State.

Specific responsibilities of Attorneys include:

• reviewing drafts of Local Coastal Programs and their amendments;
• reviewing draft Commission staff reports on coastal development permit applications, local coastal program submittals and amendments, and other types of proposals that the Commission reviews, and advising Commission staff of potential legal concerns with such reports;
• advising Commission staff and Commissioners regarding environmental and land use law;
• drafting and reviewing legal documents;
• performing legal research;
• working with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation;
• drafting legal memoranda

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

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 high-rise building in downtown San Francisco) 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 and guidance released by the . The telework and hybrid work policies are subject to change at any time.

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:

We’re looking for an attorney with excellent research, writing, communication and analytical skills, who exercises sound judgment and enjoys working both independently and as part of a team. Attorneys are expected to be rigorous and pro-active in identifying issues and creative in problem-solving. Two to four years of experience in land use law, environmental permitting, real estate transactions, environmental litigation, or a closely related practice is strongly preferred. Advanced knowledge of the Coastal Act is highly desirable.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Other - Writing Sample (5 pages or less)