Closing Date: 28th June, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:This position is limited term 12 months, may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.
The Enforcement Unit of the California Coastal Commission is seeking talented, skilled and knowledgeable attorneys to work in the Headquarters Enforcement Unit on cases brought to enforce the Coastal Act and to protect coastal resources up and down the State.
The Headquarters Enforcement Counsel are enforcement staff assigned to work in the Headquarters Unit as a member of the Statewide Enforcement Program, which is within the Coastal Commission's Legal Division. The primary responsibilities of a Headquarters Enforcement Counsel are to obtain compliance with the Coastal Act in complex cases where the alleged violator has not cooperated with District enforcement staff to resolve the violations informally, or in situations where resolution involves an action that must be taken by the Commission, and to support the Office of the Attorney General in litigation of enforcement cases. A Headquarters Enforcement Counsel may also be responsible for processing enforcement cases from the outset and attempting to obtain compliance without use of formal administrative orders or litigation. Headquarters Enforcement Counsel work under the direction of the Chief of Enforcement Supervising Counsel and the Deputy Chief of Enforcement and perform case research and analysis at the direction of the Chief of Enforcement Supervisory Counsel. The Counsel must work closely with Commission staff attorneys in the Commission's Counsel's office and with the Commission's planning and technical staff.
The Headquarters Enforcement Counsel is responsible for obtaining compliance with the Coastal Act via investigating and bringing cases to hearing before the Commission, drafting and negotiating settlement documents, preparing and presenting proposed settlements or other Orders to the Commission in public hearings, monitoring compliance with Orders issued by the Commission, assisting in litigation support, and other policy and enforcement tasks. The Headquarters Enforcement Counsel also assists in preparing monthly enforcement reports to the Commission.
The Headquarters Enforcement Counsel is also responsible for identifying and analyzing potential environmental justice impacts in projects, and drafting environmental justice, diversity and inclusion provisions in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission's Environmental Justice Policy, as well as conducting tribal coordination and consultation for relevant projects, including communicating with and gathering information from tribes, assessing impacts to cultural and tribal resources and drafting findings in Staff Reports, settlements, or other documents, consistent with the Commission's Tribal Consultation Policy.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32134252&name=HQStaffAttorneyDutyStatement-publicversion05.2026.docx)
Working Conditions:
Employee will be required to sit for long periods of time remotely or under artificial lighting, in an open-space, climate-controlled, typical “Monday through Friday” office environment in San Francisco, CA, or as provided in the provisions of the Commission's Telework Policy; work in a cubicle space or in a private/shared office, as scheduling allows and as such offices become available; drive or be a passenger in a State vehicle; and travel to attend meetings or do site visits.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. 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 of protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean for present and future generations.
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: 6/28/2026
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=519392)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32134252&name=HQStaffAttorneyDutyStatement-publicversion05.2026.docx)
Department Information:
The California Coastal Commission is a small state agency responsible for protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean resources. 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 of protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean for present and future generations.
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: 6/28/2026
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:
In order to qualify for this position, the applicant must have a JD from an accredited law school, current California Bar admission in good standing and be on the California HR attorney classification list. The position requires specific knowledge of the policies, requirements, and enforcement provisions of the Coastal Act of 1976 and its implementing regulations; the Commission's permit processing procedures; the procedures for adoption of cease and desist orders, restoration orders, and administrative penalty actions; litigation processes; and legal concepts. The position also requ
