The California Coastal Commission is seeking a new talented addition to its Statewide Planning Unit to enhance statewide evaluation of critical coastal planning issues. The Statewide Planning Unit conducts comprehensive planning, policy research, and analysis related to a wide range of coastal resource and land management issues; develops resources and guidance related to climate change, coastal resiliency, and sustainability; and coordinates with other state, local, and federal agencies on planning and policy matters.
The Commission is seeking an enterprising, self-directed person to coordinate comprehensive review of all Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) projects, proposals, and permit applications under the Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction and provide assistance to local governments with certified Local Coastal Programs to help expedite review of PG&E projects, proposals or permit applications within local jurisdictions related to wildfire risk reduction. In coordination with PG&E, the Wildfire Resilience Planner will develop a statewide approach to fire hazards planning and vegetation management for utilities in the coastal zone that supports timely review of proposed fire prevention and resiliency projects and coastal planning documents in the coastal zone. The Wildfire Resilience Planner will coordinate heavily with other federal, state, and local agencies; advise on relevant regulatory processing pathways to provide for efficient reviews; perform regulatory analysis; execute regulatory review and prepare reports associated with the Commission’s planning and regulatory responsibilities; explore opportunities for better integrating utility fire prevention planning in the coastal zone; build informational tools and content for Commission staff, local governments, and others; and understand and communicate the status of PG&E’s fire hazard planning efforts in the coastal zone.
The work will include: coordination with PG&E; participating in interagency work groups; evaluating planning documents and project proposals related to fire hazard planning, including Local Coastal Programs (LCPs), Public Works Plans (PWPs), and Local Hazard Mitigation Plans; reviewing coastal resource impact analyses and environmental review (NEPA/CEQA) documents; conducting research into current efforts in California related to fire hazards planning such as relevant land use planning principles, vegetation management strategies, emergency response, defensible space requirements, and mitigation; and attending stakeholder and other related public meetings.
The position will be responsible for helping to implement the local coastal program (LCP) planning and coastal development permit (CDP) regulatory work in the Statewide Planning Unit, including project management, coordination with other agency units (e.g., legal, enforcement, technical services, etc.), and external communications outside the agency. In addition, attendance at certain Coastal Commission meetings and making staff presentations will be required. The person in this position will report directly to the Statewide Planning Manager.
The duties of the Wildfire Resilience Coastal Planner may include, but will not be limited to:
- Review coastal development permit applications for conformity with California Coastal Act requirements;
- Analyze coastal land use plans and zoning ordinances prepared by cities and counties in the coastal zone for conformity with California Coastal Act requirements;
- Draft and review planning policies for local coastal programs;
- Prepare written recommendations to the Commission on permit applications and other issues of statewide importance;
- Review compliance by applicants with the terms of previously issued coastal permits;
- Coordinate with District Enforcement staff on ways to address Coastal Act violations;
- Develop training materials and provide information to Commission staff, local governments, permit applicants and members of the public regarding the Commission’s wildfire regulatory and planning programs;
- Take a proactive approach to identifying and solving problems of LCP interpretation and implementation;
- Perform miscellaneous other tasks, including analyzing the environmental impacts of projects in the coastal zone; interpreting aerial photographs and mapped information; visiting the sites of coastal projects;
- Attend meetings and conferences with local, state, and federal government agencies;
- Some travel and field work is required;
- Support public participation and public outreach, including environmental justice and tribal communities, related to climate change and other coastal resource issues;
- Prepare and present effective oral presentations.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
