Closing Date: 21st September, 2026
Description:
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
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 Executive Order N-22-25 (https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/RTO-EO-3.3.25_-GGN-signed.pdf) and guidance released by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) (https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Documents/2025-Statewide-Telework-Guidance.pdf). The telework and hybrid work policies are subject to change at any time.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
Department Information:
The California Coastal Commission is a small state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean resources for present and future generations. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.
The California Coastal Commission values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission.
We have district offices in Arcata, San Francisco (headquarters), Santa Cruz, Ventura, Long Beach, San Diego and a small legislative office in Sacramento.
Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
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: 9/21/2026
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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:
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=531680)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33388108&name=AttorneyDutyStatementSept2026.docx)
Department Information:
The California Coastal Commission is a small state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean resources for present and future generations. It does so through careful planning and regulation of environmentally-sustainable development, rigorous use of science, strong public participation, education, and effective intergovernmental coordination.
The California Coastal Commission values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission.
We have district offices in Arcata, San Francisco (headquarters), Santa Cruz, Ventura, Long Beach, San Diego and a small legislative office in Sacramento.
Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
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: 9/21/2026
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
CA Coastal Commission
N/A
Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
N/A
Human Resources
455 Market St. Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105
08:00 AM - 05:00 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:
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.
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:
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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)
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:
Benefits:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR (https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx) website and the CalPERS (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/) website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Alex Helperin
(415) 904-5220
alex.helperin@coastal.ca.gov
(415) 904-5220
alex.helperin@coastal.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Contact:
