Senior Climate Adaptation Planner

Job Description and Duties

BCDC is looking for a Senior Climate Adaptation Planner to join the Adaptation Planning Unit. This unique position will serve as a project manager working closely with cities and counties to prepare compliant Subregional Shoreline Adaptation Plans consistent with the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan (RSAP). The RSAP is an award-winning, first-of-its-kind plan that contains Guidelines for how local governments along the Bay shoreline must plan and prepare for sea level rise and coastal flood impacts. You will guide local governments through their adaptation planning processes and lead the review and approval process of submitted plans. Your work will cover policies and topics related to climate adaptation, environmental justice, ecosystem restoration, public access, housing and land use, and transportation, among others. This is a highly collaborative position, both internally and externally. The Senior Planner will help drive BCDC’s RSAP Implementation program, including leading cross-functional teams, developing tools and resources, and engaging with a variety of stakeholders and state, regional, and federal agencies and partners to incorporate knowledge and expertise into all aspects of the program.

Assessment of fit for the position depends on fit using three criteria: Minimum requirements (see below), knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in the Duty Statement, and desirable qualifications (see below).  Please ensure that you review all materials prior to applying for the position to assess your fit for the job.

BCDC understands that the successful candidate may not fit the job description perfectly. If you are excited about this role but not sure you meet the desirable qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

BCDC’s office is our headquarters in downtown San Francisco. BCDC is a hybrid workplace and offers telework for all employees. Telework is available for this position in accordance with BCDC’s Telework Policy and Procedures. Telework is available for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) Telework Policy and Procedures with a minimum of two in-office days per week.

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  . This Telework Policy is subject to change .

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:

Candidates must meet the Minimum Requirements as outlined above for the Class Specification.  In addition, the qualified candidates should also have:

• Background or expertise in climate science, including emissions and impacts projections.
• Background or expertise in sea level rise adaptation best practices, including shoreline infrastructure, beneficial reuse of sediment, shoreline habitat restoration, land use policies, and funding strategies.
• Familiarity with Bay Area geography and local communities.
• Knowledge of the Bay Area’s land use, coastal policy, and environmental justice issues, which may include the San Francisco Bay Plan, Bay Adapt, and/or the Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan.
• Experience with environmental analysis, research, management, planning, or regulation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with professionals from diverse fields and levels.

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 -

  Brief writing sample or project sample (5 pages or less)

• Other -

  Three professional references

• Other - Supplemental Questions, no more than 600 words total answering the following:
  
  1. Briefly describe your experience with sea level rise and/or climate adaptation planning, research, and/or implementation. In your experience, what is the most challenging aspect of climate adaptation? What do you think are the biggest opportunities?
  2. Briefly describe your experience with developing plans, policies, and/or conducting stakeholder management. How were you most effective in managing the process? What are key lessons you’ve learned from past experiences?