CONSERVANCY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties

“Love the California Coast, the Central Coast and the environment? This might be the job for you!”

The State Coastal Conservancy is hiring one position at the Conservancy Project Development Specialist or Conservancy Project Development Analyst II level to join the Central Coast regional team.

The Conservancy works with local partners on multi-benefit projects located along the coast of California, within coastal watersheds, and/or within the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area to acquire and protect natural and agricultural lands, restore, and enhance habitats and ecosystems, design and build trails and other recreational facilities, plan and implement climate adaptation projects, fund outdoor education programs, and improve public access for historically undeserved communities.

Tasks will include soliciting and reviewing grant applications, assisting with project development, writing, and presenting staff recommendations for Conservancy Board approval, developing grant agreements in cooperation with legal staff, ensuring that the project purpose and all conditions of the grant agreement are met, reviewing invoices, monitoring the progress of projects, conducting outreach to California Native American tribes, and public outreach and engagement. The new staff member will be part of the Central Coast work group at SCC and will serve as the lead project manager for San Luis Obispo County. The work involves collaboration with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, regional collaborative, tribes, and community groups.

In order to be eligible for this position, candidates must have taken the Coastal Program Analyst III (for Conservancy Project Development Specialist level) or Coastal Program Analyst II (for Conservancy Project Development Analyst II level) online exam or have taken it within the past 12 months and receive a passing score. Please make sure to read the exam(s) bulletin before taking the exam:

Take the online Coastal Program Analyst III exam to become list eligible for this position at the Conservancy Project Development Specialist level.

Take the online Coastal Program Analyst II exam to become list eligible for this position at the Conservancy Project Development Analyst II level.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions 3% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

This is a Statewide Recruitment for ONE (1) authorized position. This position may be filled in the Headquarters located in Oakland, CA, OR may be filled as a permanent remote position in San Luis Obispo County ONLY. Candidates must have permanent residence in California to be eligible for a permanent remote position AND must reside in the permanent remote location of San Luis Obispo County at the time employment begins. If permanent residence is outside of San Luis Obispo County, the position will report to the Headquarters office in Oakland, CA. 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Important Applications Instructions:

• If you're new to the state application process, please visit 3 Steps to a State Job .
• The State application (STD 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. The Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Please refer to the resource:
• A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section below for more information. Resumes will not be reviewed in lieu of the SOQ. Please refer to the resource: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications
• Copy of diploma and/or transcripts (official/unofficial) required.
• Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

Applications received without ALL of these required items listed above will not receive further consideration for this position. 

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/9/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

State Coastal Conservancy

HR Department

Attn: Cindy Chen

1515 Clay Street, Floor 10

Oakland , CA 94612

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Coastal Conservancy

HR Department

Cindy Chen

1515 Clay Street, Floor 10

Oakland , CA 94612

08:00 AM - 04:00 PM

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see "Statement of Qualifications" section below for more information. Please refer to the resource: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

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

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Please note: The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a required document and must address the specific questions listed in this job control. SOQs for other jobs/resume will not be considered.

The SOQ must be no more than two pages, with Calibri font at least size 12, and at least one-inch margins. If your responses to the three (3) questions are greater than two (2) pages, only the first two (2) pages will be reviewed. Failure to include an SOQ will disqualify you from consideration.

Question 1: Please summarize your experience working on projects to plan or implement habitat restoration, trails and public access facilities, coastal resilience, property acquisitions, or other projects related to the Conservancy’s work.

Question 2: Please describe your experience working, in any context, including volunteer work, with any of the following communities: Tribes, rural communities, lower-income communities, communities of color, people with disabilities, or English language learners.

Question 3: Please describe your experience managing projects or work assignments including tracking due dates, deliverables, and budgets; and coordinating team members.