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Coastal Program Analyst III
IT
Arcata, CA, USA
Posted on Aug 13, 2026
Job Description and Duties
The California Coastal Commission is seeking a talented addition to its North Coast District Office in Arcata. The North Coast District has responsibility for carrying out the requirements of the California Coastal Act in Del Norte, Humboldt, and Mendocino Counties, a distance of over 325 miles. The Coastal Act provides for the balanced use of the coastal zone and includes policies to protect, restore, and enhance coastal and marine resources for the continuing benefit of current and future generations. Working in conjunction with local governments who are required to bring their local plans and zoning ordinances into conformity with the policies of the California Coastal Act, the Coastal Commission regulates land use and development along California’s 1,100-mile-long coastline. Employees at the Commission enjoy working on a broad range of issues to plan for and manage coastal land uses while protecting important coastal resources including wetlands, sensitive habitats, scenic landscapes and public views to and along the coast, public coastal access and recreation opportunities. The Commission’s staff includes dedicated planners, environmental scientists, attorneys, geologists and engineers, and administrative staff.
This Coastal Program Analyst III position is located in the Commission’s Arcata office. This position works under the direction of the Coastal Program Manager (CPM) to help organize and direct the regulatory and planning related work of the North Coast District with the CPM and District Director (DD). The CPA III has broad responsibilities for analyst supervision and personnel oversight, general administration of LCP planning and permit regulatory work in the District, including project management, coordination with other agency units (e.g., legal, enforcement, technical services), participating in agency-wide coordination, external communications outside the District, and backup coverage of the CPM responsibilities as required. Oversight, review, writing and editing of staff recommendations are required. The incumbent will also be assigned district responsibilities involving coordination on coastal development permits (CDPs), appeals of locally approved CDPs, LCP amendments, workflow management, records management, and other responsibilities as assigned. Attendance (both virtually and in-person) at certain Coastal Commission meetings and presenting staff recommendations to the Commission will be required.
The person in this position will report directly to the CPM. Duties will include but will not be limited to:
- Supervising the work of CPA I’s and II’s including reviewing and processing of CDP and LCP amendment applications and appeals of local CDPs and helping to finalize staff recommendations for the Coastal Commission’s consideration at public hearings;
- Providing guidance and oversight to CPA I’s and II’s regarding post-certification monitoring work for local CDPs and other actions;
- Reviewing and processing complex and routine CDP and LCP amendment applications as needed to maintain smooth and timely workflow for the District, involving the analysis of applications, investigating issues of consistency with the Coastal Act, coordinating with other Commission staff, and preparing staff recommendations for Commission action;
- Meeting and conferring on a routine basis with representatives of federal, state, and local governments and a variety of interested parties and other agencies and tribal governments to identify potential environmental problems and to develop solutions and/or to explore the staff position on projects and/or LCP amendments and generally to discuss environmental issues relating to the Coastal Act and to the Commission’s planning and regulation activities;
- Attending meetings and coordinating internally with various Commission program units to ensure statewide consistency and use of best practices;
- Taking a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems of LCP policy interpretation and implementation;
- Performing other miscellaneous tasks, including acting for the CPM in her or his absence or when requested to do so; organizing and presenting training programs; helping to develop office operating policies and procedures; and assisting the CPM in managing the continued operation and functionality of the District office to ensure a productive office work environment; and
- Possible work on grant projects.
This position is Limited-Term (the appointment may be extended and/or may become permanent).
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.